The Apostle laid great emphasis on the witness of his conscience. See Acts 23:1; Acts 24:16. As we pass out of this life, and stand in the revealing dawn of eternity, it will be a blessed thing if we are able to say this much of ourselves.
Paul had thought of visiting Corinth on his way to Macedonia, and again on his return journey; but this purpose had been defeated. He was eager, however, that his friends should understand that the change was not due to vacillation on his part, for this would be unworthy of one who stood for the great certainties of the gospel.
Christ is God's attestation to His promises. All these have received their seal in the words, sufferings and resurrection of our Lord. In Jesus God says Yea to the yearnings and prayers of human hearts, and Amen (verily) to all the ten thousand promises of Scripture. He who rests on Christ stands in the focal point of certainty and assurance. Not one good thing shall fail him of all that has been promised.
2 Corinthians 1:21 is full of comfort. God alone can give us a settled and established position. He anoints us for service; seals us with His Spirit for safety, likeness, and authentication; and in this way gives us the earnest and foretaste of heaven, as the grapes of Eschol were the pledge and foretaste of Canaan. [source]
Chapter Summary: 2 Corinthians 1
1Paul salutes the Corinthians; 3he encourages them against troubles, 5by the comforts and deliverances which God had given him, 8so particularly in his late danger in Asia 12And calling both his own conscience and theirs, 15he excuses his not coming to them, as proceeding not of lightness, 23but of his care for them
Greek Commentary for 2 Corinthians 1:21
Establishes [βεβαιων] Present active participle from βεβαιος bebaios firm. An apt metaphor in Corinth where confirmation of a bargain often took place (βεβαιωσις bebaiōsis) as Deissmann shows (Bible Studies, p. 109) and as 2 Corinthians 1:22 makes plain. [source]
Anointed [χρισας] From χριω chriō to anoint, old verb, to consecrate, with the Holy Spirit here as in 1 John 2:20. [source]
Stablisheth - in Christ [βεβαιῶν - εἰς] The present participle with εἰς intoindicates the work as it is in progress toward a final identification of the believers with Christ. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Corinthians 1:21
John 11:2Anointed [ἀλείψασα] Three words for anointing are found in the New Testament: ἀλείφω, χρίω , and its compounds, and μυρίζω . The last is used but once, Mark 14:8, of anointing the Lord's body for burying. Between the two others the distinction is strictly maintained. Χρίω , which occurs five times, is used in every case but one of the anointing of the Son by the Father With the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:18; Acts 4:27; Acts 10:38; Hebrews 1:9). In the remaining instance (2 Corinthians 1:21) of enduing Christians with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Thus the word is confined to sacred anointing. Ἁλείφω is used of all actual anointings. See Matthew 6:17; Mark 6:13; Luke 7:38; James 5:14. The same distinction is generally maintained in the Septuagint, though with a few exceptions, as Numbers 3:3. [source]
What do the individual words in 2 Corinthians 1:21 mean?
The [One]nowestablishinguswithyouuntoChristandhaving anointed[is] God
Greek Commentary for 2 Corinthians 1:21
Present active participle from βεβαιος bebaios firm. An apt metaphor in Corinth where confirmation of a bargain often took place (βεβαιωσις bebaiōsis) as Deissmann shows (Bible Studies, p. 109) and as 2 Corinthians 1:22 makes plain. [source]
From χριω chriō to anoint, old verb, to consecrate, with the Holy Spirit here as in 1 John 2:20. [source]
The present participle with εἰς intoindicates the work as it is in progress toward a final identification of the believers with Christ. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Corinthians 1:21
Three words for anointing are found in the New Testament: ἀλείφω, χρίω , and its compounds, and μυρίζω . The last is used but once, Mark 14:8, of anointing the Lord's body for burying. Between the two others the distinction is strictly maintained. Χρίω , which occurs five times, is used in every case but one of the anointing of the Son by the Father With the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:18; Acts 4:27; Acts 10:38; Hebrews 1:9). In the remaining instance (2 Corinthians 1:21) of enduing Christians with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Thus the word is confined to sacred anointing. Ἁλείφω is used of all actual anointings. See Matthew 6:17; Mark 6:13; Luke 7:38; James 5:14. The same distinction is generally maintained in the Septuagint, though with a few exceptions, as Numbers 3:3. [source]