2 Corinthians 1:15-22
New Living Translation
15 Since I was so sure of your understanding and trust, I wanted to give you a double blessing by visiting you twice— 16 first on my way to Macedonia and again when I returned from Macedonia.[a] Then you could send me on my way to Judea.
17 You may be asking why I changed my plan. Do you think I make my plans carelessly? Do you think I am like people of the world who say “Yes” when they really mean “No”? 18 As surely as God is faithful, our word to you does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” 19 For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is the one whom Silas,[b] Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” he always does what he says. 20 For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.
21 It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, 22 and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us.
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2 Corinthians 1:15-22
New English Translation
15 And with this confidence I intended to come to you first so that you would get a second opportunity to see us,[a] 16 and through your help to go on into Macedonia and then from Macedonia to come back[b] to you and be helped on our way into Judea by you. 17 Therefore when I was planning to do this, I did not do so without thinking about what I was doing, did I?[c] Or do I make my plans[d] according to mere human standards[e] so that I would be saying[f] both “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time? 18 But as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.” 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, the one who was proclaimed among you by us—by me and Silvanus[g] and Timothy—was not “Yes” and “No,” but it has always been “Yes” in him. 20 For every one of God’s promises are “Yes” in him; therefore also through him the “Amen” is spoken, to the glory we give to God. 21 But it is God who establishes[h] us together with you in Christ and who anointed us,[i] 22 who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a down payment.[j]
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- 2 Corinthians 1:15 tn Grk “a second grace,” “a second favor” (used figuratively of a second visit by Paul).
- 2 Corinthians 1:16 tn Grk “come again.”
- 2 Corinthians 1:17 tn The Greek construction anticipates a negative answer. This is indicated in the translation by the ‘tag’ question “did I?” at the end of the sentence.
- 2 Corinthians 1:17 tn Grk “the things that I plan, do I plan (them).”
- 2 Corinthians 1:17 tn Grk “according to the flesh.”
- 2 Corinthians 1:17 tn Grk “so that with me there should be.”
- 2 Corinthians 1:19 sn Silvanus is usually considered to be the same person as Silas (L&N 93.340).
- 2 Corinthians 1:21 tn Or “strengthens.”
- 2 Corinthians 1:21 tn Grk “But he who establishes us together with you in Christ and anointed us is God.”
- 2 Corinthians 1:22 tn Or “first installment,” “pledge,” “deposit.”sn Down payment. The Greek word ἀρραβών (arrabōn) denotes the first payment or first installment of money or goods which serves as a guarantee or pledge for the completion of the transaction. In the NT the term is used only figuratively of the Holy Spirit as the down payment of the blessings promised by God (it occurs later in 2 Cor 5:5, and also in Eph 1:14). In the “already—not yet” scheme of the NT the possession of the Spirit now by believers (“already”) can be viewed as a guarantee that God will give them the balance of the promised blessings in the future (“not yet”).
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