UTN uW Translation Notes:

2 Corinthians 1 Chapter Introduction

Structure and Formatting

1. Opening and blessing (1:1–2)
2. Paul praises God for his comfort in affliction (1:3–11)
3. Interrupted travel plans (1:12–2:13)
   • The interruption and the reason for it (1:15–2:4)

The first paragraph reflects a common way to begin a letter in the ancient Near East.

Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter

Comfort

Comfort is a major theme of this chapter. Paul explains that believers experience affliction because they belong to Jesus. When this happens, the Holy Spirit comforts them. Then they are able to comfort others. Paul wants the Corinthian believers to know that he is not exempt from terrible persecution but that God always rescues and comforts him as well. He also wants them to know that God will do the same for them.

Paul’s integrity

Apparently, people in Corinth had been criticizing Paul, saying that he was not sincere and did not truly care about the Corinthian believers. Therefore, Paul refutes them by explaining his motives for what he was doing.

Translation Issues in This Chapter

Rhetorical question

Paul uses two rhetorical questions in 1:17 to defend himself against a charge of not being sincere. (See: figs-rquestion)

Metaphorical “Yes and No”

In 1:17–20 Paul uses the words “yes” and “no” together to represent the attitudes and speech of a person who is unstable and easily changes his mind about what he wants to do. It seems that some people had been accusing Paul of being such a person, but he makes it clear that he is not. Instead, he imitates God, who is always faithful, and Jesus, who faithfully fulfills all of the promises of God.

Translation Issues in This Chapter

Holy Spirit as guarantee

In 1:22 Paul says that the Holy Spirit is the guarantee of all of God’s promises, including eternal life with him. The term “guarantee” comes from business deals in which a person gives some valuable item to another person as a guarantee that the first person will pay the full amount of money that he owes. Other words for this idea include “pledge” or “down payment.” Paul uses this idea to explain that, because believers experience the blessings of the Holy Spirit now, they can be sure that they will experience all of God’s given promises after they die. (See: eternity and save)

God as witness

In 1:23 Paul calls God to be a witness to his character, that he is being honest and faithful to the Corinthian believers. It is probable that Paul means this as an oath, in which it is expected that God would bear witness to what Paul is saying by dramatically punishing him or striking him dead if he is lying. Alternatively, he may intend that God will bear witness by affirming Paul’s honesty to the Corinthian believers through the Holy Spirit.