1Paul, an authorized envoy of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy the brother, to the assembly of God that is in Corinth together with all those set apart who are in all of Achaia: [1:2] grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2CO 1:1-2
Paul Greets the Corinthians
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st century, the term (apostle) carried significant weight, denoting an authorized envoy or representative, often sent with a specific mission. Paul’s self-identification as an apostle of Christ Jesus underscores his divinely appointed authority, a claim that would have been contested by some in Corinth. The (church) referred not to a building but to a gathered assembly, a concept familiar in Greco-Roman civic life but here redefined as the community of God’s people. The mention of (saints) highlighted their consecrated status, set apart for God’s purposes, rather than moral perfection. The greeting of (grace) and (peace) reflects a blend of Hellenistic and Jewish salutations, with grace emphasizing God’s unmerited favor and peace evoking the Hebrew shalom, a holistic well-being. This greeting would have resonated deeply in Corinth, a city marked by social stratification and religious diversity, affirming the unity and divine origin of their community.
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How other translations render this
2CO 1:1
- KJV
- Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:
- BSB
- Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God in Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia:
- Koinōnos
- Paul, an authorized envoy of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy the brother, to the assembly of God that is in Corinth together with all those set apart who are in all of Achaia:
2CO 1:2
- KJV
- Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
- BSB
- Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
- Koinōnos
- grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
2CO 1:1
- apostle:The word translated 'apostle' here refers to someone sent on a specific mission as an authorized representative or envoy, carrying the full authority of the sender.
- church:The term used here for 'church' originally referred to a formally summoned assembly of citizens, not just any gathering of people.
- saints:The word translated 'saints' means those who are set apart for God's purposes, dedicated to him, rather than implying moral perfection.
2CO 1:2
- Grace:The word translated 'Grace' carried the sense of unmerited favor, a gift freely given, often with an emphasis on its beauty and delight.