2 Corinthians 1:12-23
New Catholic Bible
Apostle by the Power of Jesus and for Jesus[a]
A Visit Not Made[b]
12 You Are Our Boast. Indeed, this is our boast: the testimony of our conscience that in our dealings with the world, and especially with you, we have conducted ourselves with simplicity and godly sincerity, depending not on worldly wisdom but on the grace of God. 13 For we write nothing to you that you cannot read and comprehend. It is my hope that you will come to understand fully, 14 as you have already understood in part, that on the day of the Lord Jesus we will have as much reason to boast of you as you will have reason to boast of us.
15 Our Language Is Not “Yes” and “No.”[c] So certain am I of this that I had originally intended to come to you first of all and thereby reward you with a double benefit. 16 I planned to visit you on my way to Macedonia, and then to come to you again on my return from Macedonia and have you send me forth to Judea.
17 Since that was my original intention, was I being impulsive, or do you believe that my plans are based on human considerations, ready to say “Yes, Yes” and “No, No” at the same time? 18 As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been “Yes” and “No.” 19 The Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was proclaimed to you by us, that is, by Silvanus[d] and Timothy and me, was not a mixture of “Yes” and “No.” He was never anything but “Yes.”
20 In him is the “Yes” to every one of the promises of God. Indeed, it is through him that we say “Amen” to give glory to God. 21 However, it is God who enables both us and you to stand firm in Christ. He has anointed us 22 and marked us with his seal and given us the Spirit in our hearts, as a down payment of what is to come.
23 The Delay Was Intended Merely To Spare Them.[e] I call upon God as a witness that it was only to spare you that I did not come again to Corinth.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 2 Corinthians 1:12 Paul recalls recent events. There must be a full understanding between himself and the Corinthians; let them no longer have any doubt of his sincerity and intentions. The preaching of Christ is not a teaching that can be accommodated to each person’s taste. The apostle exists only by the power of Jesus and for Jesus, who calls every human being to salvation. To take sides for or against the apostle is to take a position on the Gospel and on Jesus himself. At the same time, Paul describes the way he thinks of his own life: an apostle not only comes in the name of Jesus but is so bound to his Master and his message that he shares the lot and imitates the Death and Resurrection of Jesus.
- 2 Corinthians 1:12 Paul had promised to come to Corinth twice: once from Ephesus before going on to Macedonia in the north and then on his return from Macedonia when going on to Ephesus. However, because of a situation that had arisen, he had canceled one or both of these visits. He has been criticized for this and here gives his explanation.
- 2 Corinthians 1:15 Paul insists that his dialogue with the Corinthians is not one of “Yes” and “No” at the same time—just as Jesus, the Son of God, did not simultaneously say “Yes” and “No.” Indeed, God fulfilled his promises by sending his Son among us, and Christ also did what his Father wanted. Thus, Christ is a “Yes,” consenting to the Father’s plan. Similarly, we say “Yes” to Christ, first at our Baptism when we receive the first outpouring of the Spirit and then at every Eucharist when we say “Amen” (which means, “Yes, it is true”). When we sin, on the other hand, we say “No” to Christ.
- 2 Corinthians 1:19 Silvanus: another fellow worker of Paul. The Hebrew name was Silas, but this was romanized to Silvanus (see Acts 18:5).
- 2 Corinthians 1:23 Paul explains why he has substituted a severe Letter for the announced visit. The details of the incidents escape us, but we know that Paul was attacked by an agitator who was opposed to the Apostle’s coworkers. Paul estimated that an immediate visit would inflame the situation whereas a letter would foster reflection, an examination of conscience, and ultimately peace and harmony. The Letter of which he speaks has been lost; according to some, however, it is to be found in the last chapters of the present Letter.
