Author: Charlie Garrett

Friday, 5 June 2015

Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God. 2 Corinthians 1:21

Paul ties these words in with the “Amen” of the previous verse. There he said –

“For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.”

In Christ is the Amen, the establishment of who we are in God because in Him is the fulfillment of all of God’s promises. When we unite with Him, we participate in those things, thus we are established. Expanding on that, he says “Now He who establishes us with you in Christ…” In other words, our position is externally granted and fixed. It is not something that we have done, but something that has been done for us. This “us” is probably referring to Paul and those whom he was with because he says “us with you.”

Paul and those with him, along with the Corinthians (and any who have received Christ) have been established in Christ. Further, He “has anointed us.” The word for “anointed” is chrio. It is used only five times in the New Testament. All other four instances are referring to Jesus – Luke 4:18, Acts 4:27, Acts 10:38, Hebrews 1:9. Jesus is the “Anointed,” which is the meaning of Christ. And in Him we have received an anointing from God.

In the Greek of this verse, there is a change in the tense of the verbs. The word “establishes” is a present participle, but the “anoints” is an aorist. We are continually being established and upheld in Christ, but we are, at whatever moment we received Christ “anointed.” Therefore, it should read “anointed” rather than “has anointed.” It may seem trivial, but Paul’s words were written 2000 years ago and yet they still apply today, 2000 years later. When a person calls on Christ, they are anointed in Christ. From that moment on they are established and continue to be established. “Now He who is continually establishing us with you in Christ and, who anointed us, is God.” 2 Corinthians 1:21 (CGV – Charlie Garrett Version)

Life application: God has done everything necessary for us in Christ. He has done the work through Him, He has anointed us in Him, and He continues to establish us in Him. It is by grace we are saved, through faith, and that not of ourselves. Rather, it is the gift of God. Let us not boast, but instead proclaim the greatness of God in Christ.

Heavenly Father, grant us the ability to endure the heartaches of this life. They come at the most unexpected times and in the most unexpected ways. And some are utterly debilitating, robbing us of our sleep, our ability to concentrate, and even to taste the food that we must force down. We are limited in our understanding of why things happen and we cannot see the end which You can. In these times of distress, help us to have the confident trust that You have it all under control. Grant us Your peace through the overwhelming storms of life. Amen.

Thursday, 4 June 2015

For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.  2 Corinthians 1:20

Speaking of Christ Jesus, Paul says that “all the promises of God in Him are Yes.” However, the translation here with the inserted “are” makes “Yes” the predicate of the promises. That is not the intent. Rather, what Paul is saying is that Christ is the incarnate answer to the promises of God. Thus, it should be stated as a separate clause. “For how many soever be the promises of God, in him is the yea.” (ERV)

It is Christ who is the fulfillment of the promises. When we call on Him, those promises which were fulfilled in Him now belong to us. Going on it says “and in Him Amen.” Vincent’s Word Studies notes that “In giving this answer in His person and life, Christ puts the emphatic confirmation upon God’s promises.” God made promises and those promises are emphatically fulfilled in Jesus.

This is explained by Him when He spoke to the leaders of Israel in John 5 –

“And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form. ³⁸ But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. ³⁹ You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. ⁴⁰ But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.” John 5:37-39

He is the fulfillment of Scripture and therefore the promises of God which were made to the people of God (to Abraham for example, explaining that in his seed all nations of the earth would be blessed) are realized in Him. Paul gives this thought in Romans 15 –

“Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers, ⁹ and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy…” Romans 15:8, 9

And in the book of Hebrews, we read this –

“And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.” Hebrews 9:15

Every Messianic promise is realized in Him and in Him is the Amen. It means he is faithful and true. In Him is the confirmation and establishment of those promises. In Revelation 3:14 He is called the “Amen” to demonstrate this.

Life application: As you read the Bible and consider the promises of God, realize that God Himself fulfilled each of them in Christ. When we receive Him, those promises now belong to us because of Him. Let us be ever-thankful for the wonderful, tender mercies of God who promised and fulfilled for beings such as us.

Heavenly Father, You made many promises in the Old Testament about a new life and a new hope of living in Your presence again. And then You sent Jesus to fulfill those promises. In him is the “Yes” of all of them. Now that I have called on Him, I am included in the fulfillment of them. I am again reconciled to You through what He did. It all came from You, it all belongs to You, and all the glory is to be given to You. Thank You for Jesus who has made all things new. Amen!

Wednesday, 3 June 2015

For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me, Silvanus, and Timothy—was not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes. 2 Corinthians 1:19

This verse shows us that Silas is the same as Silvanus mentioned elsewhere. With one name or another, he is mentioned in Acts and some of the epistles. But, along with this verse, the verse which ties the two as being the same person is Acts 18:5 –

“When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.” Acts 18:5

Knowing who was with Paul at that time and then comparing it to the timing of this epistle, it is certain they are the same person. And so, using Silvanus and Timothy as support for his words to the Corinthians because they were both reputable souls, Paul continues with his defense concerning his actions.

He calls on an understanding of “the Son of God, Jesus Christ” by his audience. In this, he cannot be referring to a person who is an adopted son of God, but rather the true and only begotten Son of God. Hence, the highlighting of Him in this way – marking Him out as unique and distinct from all others. It was He “who was preached among you by us.” The truly begotten of the Father was the subject of their preaching. As this is so, their words are being tied into the truthfulness of their actions.

It would make no sense to preach the embodiment of truth, Jesus Christ, just to turn around and act in an untruthful manner. In essence, there is the “Proof of the unchangeableness of the doctrine from the unchangeableness of the subject of it, namely, Jesus Christ” (JFB Commentary).

The doctrine of those who preached was sure because of the One of whom they spoke. In Him what they communicated “was not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes.” The words “in Him was Yes” are literally, “Yes has come to pass in Him.” Jesus is the embodiment of truth and He demonstrated this in His life and actions. For a few corresponding verses which confirm this, we can go to the following –

“I am the way, the truth, and the life.” John 14:6

“For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” John 18:37

“These things says He who is holy, He who is true.” Revelation 3:7

“And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.” Revelation 19:11

As Jesus is so represented as the truth, and as Paul proclaimed the truth of Jesus, he himself, along with the others with him determined to always be as truthful as the One whom they proclaimed. There was no vacillating or wavering in a “Yes and No” but rather in Him was “Yes.”

Life application: Because we bear the name of Jesus, we need to ensure that our words to others reflect His character as well. As He is the embodiment of truth, let us always be truthful in the words we convey to others.

Lord God, it is so easy to fall into little untruths to cover up a fault or an unplanned event which arises. It’s not difficult to fall into outright lies as well when it will cover something we have done wrong. But Lord, I bear the name of Jesus who embodies truth itself. Because of this, I know that it is as important to be as truthful as I can be. Help me in this Lord. Help me to always be a person of integrity and honesty. When others see me, I pray that You will not be diminished in their eyes. Amen.

Tuesday, 2 June 2015

But as God is faithful, our word to you was not Yes and No. 2 Corinthians 1:18

Paul’s words here have been construed in various ways. The two predominant views are 1) that this is an oath. “As God is faithful, so are my words to you,” or 2) that God will vindicate him in his words to them. Either way, his words contain and relay the sense that what he has spoken and continues to speak to those at Corinth is in accord with the words of the Lord.

His “Yes” has meant “Yes” and his “No” has meant “No.” They were not fickle or faltering, but firm and fixed. This note of God’s faithfulness is not unique to this letter. It is a theme which he has transmitted often. Not only does he speak of God’s faithfulness to the Corinthians on several occasions, but also to those in other areas. One example is in his first letter to the Thessalonians –

“He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24

He also conveys this in his second letter to them as well –

“But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3

Paul wants those in Corinth to know that just as God is faithful, the words he has spoken are faithful. God is his witness to the integrity of his words.

Life application: Integrity is a dying attribute of people in the world today. But when one possesses it, they are remembered for it. As Christians, we are called to speak openly and honestly so that others may see in us truthful disciples of the Lord. We bear His name and therefore others will make value judgments concerning Him based on how we present ourselves.

Lord God, it is my hope and desire that when others interact with me, they will see someone who is truthful and willing to place his integrity above the temporary and fleeting passions of the world. I know that my every action may be evaluated by someone else, and that this will in turn reflect upon You. May I never conduct myself in a way which would diminish You in their eyes. May it be so. Amen.

Monday, 1 June 2015

Therefore, when I was planning this, did I do it lightly? Or the things I plan, do I plan according to the flesh, that with me there should be Yes, Yes, and No, No? 2 Corinthians 1:17

In a round about way of explaining why he chose not to come to Corinth, as he originally planned and as he noted in the preceding verses, Paul asks rhetorically, “When I was planning this, did I do it lightly?” In other words, was he just saying, “I may come or I may not… it all depends on how I feel at the time.” Were his words vacillating and unsure?

The Greek translated as “lightly” is elaphria. It is only used this one time in the New Testament and it means “levity,” i.e. fickleness. It comes from another similar word which means light, as in not heavy or burdensome. And so, he is refuting the charges of those who claimed he was fickle or insincere in his dealings with them.

Continuing on he asks, “Or the things I plan, do I plan according to the flesh…?” “According to the flesh” is probably referring to a person who easily makes promises and then easily reneges on those promises, showing that he lives in a carnal and self-centered manner. It could also have the second meaning of a person who is weak and unable to say what he really means out of fear of alienating others. Either way, his asking this as a question is intended to show that such is not the case.

And finishing up this verse, he asks whether they believe that with him “there should be Yes, Yes, and No, No.” In this is a portion of the teaching of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 5, he said this –

“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ ³⁴ But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; ³⁵ nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. ³⁶ Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. ³⁷ But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” Matthew 5:33-37

This same sentiment is cited by James in his letter (5:12). It thus was by this time a commonly taught and understood precept. Paul was asking if they felt he was failing to adhere to the words of Jesus and speaking out of both sides of his mouth at once. The rhetorical nature of these questions shows that none of this was the case. He will defend his actions to show this is so.

It should be understood that each phrase in this verse carries a bit of ambiguity and can be viewed from different ways. It is as if Paul is purposefully using such ambiguous wording to cover any and all possibilities concerning accusations against him. In this the Pulpit Commentary says, “There is probably no clause in the New Testament of which the certain sense must be left so indeterminate as this.”

Life application: The Bible asks us to be trustworthy, even to the simple promises we make. When others hear our words, they should be willing to accept them at face value. In this, if we don’t follow through with them, we need to have a very good reason for it. We also have to be able to defend why we didn’t live up to the words we have uttered.

Lord, You have asked us to let our Yes be Yes and our No be No. We are to be so trustworthy that when we speak, people will accept our words at face value. Help me in this Lord! Give me the courage to speak only the truth and then the fortitude to follow up with the words I speak in a manner which will show that I am a person of integrity. Let others not see a fault in Christian honor when they see me. Instead, may my words bring honor to the Name I bear – Jesus! Amen.