Tyndale Open Study Notes

Verse 1

1:1-2 Letters in the first century usually began by mentioning the writer’s name and that of the person(s) addressed, followed by a greeting (see Acts 15:23; 23:25-26). Paul follows this pattern. • Paul highlights his calling as an apostle; his status as God’s appointed agent for establishing the church had been challenged at Corinth.

Verse 2

1:2 Paul turns the usual, colorless “greetings” (Greek chairein) into a rich salutation by praying for God’s grace (Greek charis) and peace on his readers.

Verse 3

1:3-11 Paul now breaks into a jubilant thanksgiving. He is glad that, in spite of many troubles that have weighed upon him, he has had special comfort from God (1:4-7) and has been rescued from death in the province of Asia (1:8-11).

1:3 our merciful Father: God delights in showing favor to his people and in hearing his children’s cry (Ps 145:18-19).

Verse 4

1:4-6 One purpose of suffering is to qualify Christ’s servants to enter sympathetically into the experience of others. Paul is not an aloof pastor, remote from the people to whom he ministers.

Verse 6

1:6 it is for your comfort and salvation! Paul’s sharing in their troubles and offering of encouragement promotes their spiritual well-being.

Verse 8

1:8-11 dear brothers and sisters: Greek adelphoi. This traditional term of affection is used to address members of the same family, both male and female. • The trouble we went through in the province of Asia is not easy to identify. One suggestion is the riot in Ephesus (Acts 19:23-41). Another is that Paul was tried in a civil court and faced the prospect of execution in Ephesus (2 Cor 1:9; see 1 Cor 15:32). Less likely is that he suffered an acute life-threatening illness. Paul was no stranger to mortal danger (2 Cor 1:10; see also 4:10-12; 6:9; 11:23), but he was marvelously rescued by divine assistance (1:11).

Verse 12

1:12-14 Paul’s travel plans and his unfulfilled promise of a visit to Corinth were criticized; he was charged with being fickle like persons of the world “who say ‘Yes’ when they really mean ‘No’” (1:17). Before responding to that charge, he clarifies his motives in his ministry and in his letters.

1:12 holiness: Some manuscripts read honesty. The difference is only two letters in Greek (hagiotēti, “holiness”; haplotēti, “honesty”).

Verse 15

1:15–2:2 Paul had changed his travel plan. In 1 Cor 16:5, he expressed the hope of visiting Corinth after passing through Macedonia. Then he evidently promised to visit Corinth earlier (perhaps in his “severe letter,” 2 Cor 7:8)—on his way north. Now he would have to go back to the original plan, and that earlier visit, bringing a double blessing, would not be happening after all.

Verse 17

1:17 Paul’s apparent indecisiveness and failure to keep his promise were being criticized. Paul’s protest is indignant.

Verse 18

1:18-22 It was bad enough that Paul’s enemies at Corinth had attacked his character as unreliable and shifty (1:17). It was worse when they charged that his entire message was just as uncertain. In these verses Paul answers that allegation.

1:18-20 As surely as God is faithful: God can be trusted, as can his promises in Christ and his ministry through the apostles.

Verse 19

1:19 Silas was a well-known Christian leader from the church in Antioch (see Acts 15:22, 27, 32; 1 Thes 1:1; 2 Thes 1:1; 1 Pet 5:12).

Verse 20

1:20 God has put a seal of approval, with a resounding “Yes!” on the Old Testament prophecies as they are fulfilled in Christ. Believers respond with “Amen,” meaning “confirmed and agreed.”

Verse 21

1:21-22 Paul’s ministry was enabled, commissioned (literally anointed), and endorsed by God, who equipped him for his work. • along with you: All believers are identified . . . as his own (literally sealed) by the Holy Spirit, who is God’s gift to his people (see Rom 8:1-27; Gal 3:2-7; 5:5-6, 16-26; Eph 1:13-14). • First installment is a commercial term for a deposit or down payment, guaranteeing full possession (see 2 Cor 5:5; Eph 1:14).

Verse 23

1:23–2:2 God as my witness: This mild oath indicates that he is telling the truth (see 1 Sam 12:5; 20:12; Job 16:19; cp. Ruth 1:17; 1 Sam 14:44; 2 Sam 3:35; 1 Kgs 2:23; Jer 42:5). The real reason for Paul’s change of travel plans was to spare them from a severe rebuke (2 Cor 1:23) and not inflict another painful visit on them (2:1).