2 Corinthians 1:1-22

Paul writes this letter to the church in Corinth. We have 1 Corinthians as one of the letters Paul has written previously to the church in Corinth. In addition, we know that 1 Corinthians is at least the 2nd letter and that there may have been letters in between 1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians. Regardless, there is communications between Paul and the church at Corinth. The first thing Paul brings up is about comfort. There is suffering and comfort through Christ. We suffer as Christ suffers, but we are also comforted through Christ. This connection also applies between believers. As believers we share together in suffering but are also sharing in comfort.

Paul then shares about the trouble he faced in Asia. They even worried for their own lives, but this was so that they would not trust in themselves, but trust in God. They were delivered by God. Paul also extends his thanks for those who were praying for him.

Paul was open and honest with them in the way he conducted himself. He didn't hide or say more than needed to be said. He knows that on the day of the Lord, he will be proud of them as they will be proud of him.

In 1 Corinthians, Paul had to deal with some who didn't think that Paul was coming to them. Though Paul had expressed a desire to come to them, he hadn't showed up and some were throwing Paul into disrepute. Paul mentions that though he had expressed a desire to come to them, he wasn't lying if he didn't actually come. Instead, his "yes" and "no" has always been "yes" in the Lord. Regardless of his desire to go to them or not, his will and desire has always been a desire to follow God and do what he says. In the same way, the message that was preached to them was the same message of "yes" in Him. Having our "yes" in him, God saves us and keeps his own. He gives us his Spirit as a guarantee to those who are actually his. We are his and we know it because he has already given us his Spirit as a deposit.