Devine Scripture

2 Corinthians 1:21

What does 2 Corinthians 1:21 mean?

A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 1:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 2 Corinthians 1:21 means

Paul says it is God who establishes both the apostles and the Corinthians in Christ and who has anointed them. Stability in the Christian life does not come from human resolve but from God’s confirming work. To be “in Christ” is to be set on a firm foundation. “Anointed” evokes being set apart and empowered for God’s service. This shared experience unites apostle and church under the same divine action. Paul reminds them that their steadfastness and his ministry’s validity derive from the same source—God’s initiative in Christ. With such grounding, charges of fickleness lose force; the true measure of ministry is whether it participates in God’s establishing, consecrating work.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Now he that establisheth us with you in Christ, and anointed us, is God;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Now he that establisheth us with you in Christ, and anointed us, is God;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now he who makes our faith strong together with you, in Christ, and has given us of his grace, is God;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and He who is confirming you with us into Christ, and did anoint us, <FI>is<Fi> God,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Now he that confirmeth us with you in Christ and that hath anointed us, is God:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Now he that establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, [is]God,

Context

After exalting Christ as the Yes to all God’s promises, Paul turns to what God has done for believers. He emphasizes God’s agency in establishing and anointing, binding him and the Corinthians together. This supports his claim to ministerial integrity by focusing on God’s work rather than human schemes. The next verse will add two more aspects: sealing and the gift of the Spirit as a pledge in their hearts, deepening assurance and showing that God’s faithfulness is experienced inwardly by the church.

v.20For how many soever be the promises of God, in him is the yea: wherefore also through him is the Amen, unto the glory of God through us.

v.21This passage

v.22who also sealed us, and gave us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:5

    Now he that wrought us for this very thing is God, who gave unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

  • 1 John 2:20

    And ye have an anointing from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:17

    comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.

  • Psalms 45:7

    Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated wickedness: Therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee With the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

  • Acts 10:38

    even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

  • Isaiah 49:8

    Thus saith Jehovah, In an acceptable time have I answered thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee; and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to raise up the land, to make them inherit the desolate heritages;

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