2 Corinthians 1:1,2 - To the church of God

1:1

As he does in most of his letters, Paul introduces himself as an “apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God”. Paul knew who he was and what his role in life was, and it was a God-given role, as Acts 9 makes clear. Paul’s claim to be an apostle is quite different from some of the claims made today by people who call themselves apostles, and this will become evident as we work our way through the book. Indeed, in most other letters Paul reminds them that he is an apostle, and then gives teaching on the gospel that they need to adhere to. In this letter it is quite different. There is, of course, general teaching, but there is an enormous emphasis on Paul’s apostleship. But this does not “big-up” Paul, rather the key message is God’s strength working through our weakness. It is Christ focused, not man focused. Timothy was also with Paul at the time of writing.

The letter was sent to the church in Corinth, and had a relevance for the whole region. Corinth was the capital of Achaia.

1:2

Paul then gives his customary greeting of “grace and peace”, and this is not some nebulous disembodied greeting, but it comes from God, our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. This grace and peace comes from “God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”. Grace and peace could be described as key blessings of the gospel, and they come from God Himself. They are not the product of a set of ideas nor even of a way of life, they are a direct gift from God. It is so important that we realise that the gospel is not about a set of ideas, it is not a philosophy, it is a gift from God. Once again we have God the Father and Jesus Christ mentioned together and given equal status. People sometimes say that the New Testament does not support the doctrine of the Trinity. This is nonsense. The word trinity is not in the New Testament, but the doctrine of the Trinity seeks to encapsulate what the New Testament does say about the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. And unless we assume that they are distinct and co-equal, then the New Testament does not make any sense at all.