2 Corinthians Chapter 1: Commentary

 

       1: Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God and Timotheos our brother to the out-called of God which is at Corinth with all the saints which are in all Achaia 2: Grace be to you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ 3: Blessed be God even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort 4: The one consoling us in all our affliction that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the consolation wherewith we ourselves are consoled by [1] the God 5: For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ 6: And whether we be afflicted it is for your consolation and salvation which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer or whether we be comforted it is for your consolation and salvation 7: And our hope over ^hyper you is steadfast knowing that as ye are partakers of the sufferings so shall ye be also of the consolation 8: For we would not brethren have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia that we were pressed out of measure above strength insomuch that we despaired even of life 9: But we had the sentence of death in ourselves that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead 10: Who delivered us from so great a death and does deliver in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us 11: You also helping together by prayer for us that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf 12: For our rejoicing is this the testimony of our conscience that in simplicity and godly sincerity not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God we behaved in the system and more abundantly to you-ward 13: For we write no other things to you than what you read or acknowledge and I trust you shall acknowledge even to the end 14: As also you have acknowledged us in part that we are your rejoicing even as you also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus [2]15: And in this confidence I was minded to come to you before that you might have a second benefit 16: And to pass by you into Macedonia and to come again out of Macedonia unto you and of you to be brought on my way toward Judaea 17: When I therefore was thus minded did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose do I purpose according to the flesh that with me there should be yea yea and nay nay? 18: But as God is true our word toward you was not yea and nay 19: For the Son of God Jesus the Christ who was preached among you by us even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus was not yea and nay but in him was yea 20: For all the promises of God in him are yes and in him Amen ^{let it be so} unto the glory of God by us 21: Now he which establisheth us with you in Christ and hath anointed us is God 22: Who hath also sealed us and given the pledge of the Spirit in our hearts 23: Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth 24: Not that we are being lords over your faith but are fellow-workers of your joy [3] for by faith you stand

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[1] 2 Corinthians 1:4 The Greek word , hypo, translated as “of.” The same word is translated as "over" in 2 Corinthians 2:11.

[2] 2 Corinthians 1:14 is a reference to standing before the Judgment Seat of Christ, which will take place in Heaven after the resurrection and catching up but before the 2^nd Coming and the Judgment of the Nations, which will take place on earth after the Battle of Armageddon. These events are covered in detail in the book, Bible Prophecy Simplified.

[3] 2 Corinthians 1:24 is one verse of many establishing that there are no hierarchies in the Christian faith. It is entirely relational, and not hierarchical, as is the Godhead.

Do you have insights, comments, or questions about 1 Corinthians Chapter 2? Leave them in the comment section.

2 Thessalonians 1 Commentary

    1: Paul and Silvanus and Timotheus to the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and Lord Jesus Christ 2: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and Lord Jesus Christ[1] 3: We are bound to thank God always for you brethren as it is deserving because that your faith grows exceedingly and the love of every one of you all toward each other abounds 4: So that we ourselves boast in you in ^{[we brag on you to]} the Churches of God for your perseverance and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations which you endure 5: Which is evidence of the righteous judgment of God that you [are] accounted worthy of the Kingdom of God for which you indeed suffer[2] 6: Since it is [also] a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you 7: And to you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed in the heavens with his mighty angels 8: In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 9: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power[3] 10: When he shall come to be glorified in his saints and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day 11: Wherefore also we pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness and the work of faith with power 12: That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you and you in him according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ

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[1] “…from God our father and the Lord Jesus Christ…” In verses one and two, the word, “the,” has been supplemented twice. The New Testament is rife with this type of Translator Supplement (TS), which was done to in an attempt at human understanding of, separation of, and introducing hierarchy into, the Godhead. Punctuation (the biblical languages do not have punctuation) achieves the same purpose in the formation of English-Translation-Theology (ETT). Since God is our father and Jesus Christ is the Lord, why should this matter? Because it matters. Without TS or punctuation, the verses read, “…from God our father and Lord Jesus Christ. With punctuation, there are a couple of options (as follows): “…from God, our father and Lord, Jesus Christ.” “”…from God our father and Lord, Jesus Christ.”  Since the fullness of the Godhead resides in Jesus in physical form—Jesus is God—both of the above phrases [with the punctuation's] would be correct. Adding the TS “the,” shifts the focus just enough to add a hierarchal flavor to the Eternal Godhead, which it does not possess. For this reason, the Hungry Hearts Bible Commentary removes as many TS’s as possible, along with almost all completely subjective [and optional] punctuation. 

[2] 2 Thessalonians 1:5 is an example of English-Translation-Theology (ETT). In this case, the translation assumes an interpretation which is at odds with the message of the cross as a whole and the righteousness which is already possessed by those who belong to Christ ^{I John 5:11-13}. In virtually every translation of this verse, translator supplements (TS’s) are added, which make it appear as if Christians must be tested after they are saved in order to be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God, when in reality, the text says no such thing. Requirements for salvation and Bible prophecy positions on the timing of the resurrection and the harpazo ^rapture, are significantly influenced by TS’s which lead to ETT. Fortunately, today, we have unparalleled resources for study of the Hebrew and Greek texts that under-gird our Bibles, more than at any other time in history. It was foretold that knowledge will increase in the latter days, and no one will argue that it has. So also, to the lay person, has access to knowledge [along with resources to understand the Word of God] increased.  

[3] This is the scriptural definition of death. Jesus alluded to this when he spoke of those physically alive as being dead (“Let the “dead” bury their dead” ^{Luke 9:60})...

1 Thessalonians chapter 2 Commentary

1: For yourselves brethren know our entrance in unto you that it was not in vain 2: But even after that we had suffered before and were shamefully entreated as you know at Philippi we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God through much conflict[1] 3: For our exhortation was not of deceit nor of uncleanness nor in guile 4: But as we were approved of God entrusted [with the] gospel even so we speak not as pleasing people but God who tests our hearts 5: For neither at any time used we flattering words as you know nor through cloaked covetousness God is witness 6: Nor of people sought we glory neither of you nor yet of others when we might have been burdensome as the apostles of Christ 7: But we were gentle among you even as a nurse cherishes her children 8: So being affectionately desirous of you we were willing to have imparted to you not the gospel of God only but also our own souls because you were dear to us 9: For you remember brethren our labor and travail for laboring night and day because we would not be chargeable to any of you We preached to you the gospel of God 10: You are witnesses and God also how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe 11: As you know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you as a father his children 12: That you would walk worthy of God who has called you to his kingdom and glory 13: For this cause also thank we God without ceasing because when you received the word of God which you heard from us you received it not as the word of audawm but as it is in truth the Word of God which effectually works also in you that believe 14: For you brethren became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus for you also have suffered like things of your own countrymen even as they have of the Jews 15: Who both killed the Lord Jesus and their own prophets and have persecuted us and they please not God and are contrary to all people[2] 16: Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved [3] to fill up their sins alway for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost 17: But we brethren being taken from you for a short time in presence not in heart endeavored the more abundantly to see your face with great desire 18: Wherefore we would have come to you even I Paul once and again but Satan hindered us 19: For what is our hope or joy or crown of rejoicing Are not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming 20: For you are our glory and joy.

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[1] It was a struggle for Paul to do the work of the Lord at Philippi (where he was mistreated “shamefully”) and also through much conflict at Thessalonica, but he persevered and succeeded in establishing assemblies in those places. He did not allow ridicule and opposition to stop him from obeying God.

[2] God still has a plan for the Jewish people, and we love and honor the race through which Messiah came. God’s promise is not void that he will bless those who bless Abraham and he will curse those who curse him. He was speaking not only of Abraham, but of Abraham and his descendants through his sons Isaac (The child of the free-woman. The child of the promise) and Jacob (who wrestled with God and would not let Him go until he had been promised the blessing his very life depended on). Much joy and knowledge is gained when studying the Hebrew scriptures from a Jewish perspective. But take care not to elevate Jewish culture or Messianic ministry above any other. The apostle Paul did not. In fact, he did not take to pretty things up, when he wrote that the Jews killed the Lord and were contrary to everyone around them. Israel, today, is a secular nation, but God has brought them back to their ancestral promised land, and he will reconcile them—as a nation—back to himself. “Pray for the peace [wholeness] of Jerusalem, for they shall prosper that love thee.” 

[3] Paul said he would be all things to all people that by any means some should be saved. It is a fearful thing to forbid anyone to preach the gospel of Christ, that they might be saved. Jesus spoke of the religious leadership of his day, saying they were not going in to the Kingdom of God themselves and they prevented those that would. What we see, today, is that [since 1987] those influenced by the Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (CBMW) forbid women to preach the Everlasting Gospel to men, that they might be saved. But women need not fear their edicts or censure. Women as well as men need fear only God. Jesus commanded all Christians to go into all the world and preach the gospel. Joel prophesied that God’s daughters as well as his sons would do this. Just as the early Jewish Christians defied Jewish leadership and preached Christ anyway, so women should defy anti-Christ, male-headship, teaching and preach Christ anyway.