2 Corinthians 1:1 - Exposition

By the will of God (see 1 Corinthians 1:1 ). In the face of Judaizing opponents, it was essential that he should vindicate his independent apostolate ( Acts 26:15-18 ). And Timothy. Timothy had been absent from St. Paul when he wrote the First Epistle, and Sosthenes had taken his place, whether as amanuensis or merely as a sort of joint authenticator. Our brother; literally, the brother, as in 1 Corinthians 1:1 . The brotherhood applies both to St. Paul and to the Corinthians; there was a special bond of brotherhood between all members of "the household of faith." The saints . Before the name "Christians" had come into general use, "saints" ( Acts 9:13 ) and "brethren" were common designations or' those who were "faithful in Christ Jesus" ( Ephesians 1:1 ). In all Achaia. In its classical sense Achaia means only the northern strip of the Peloponnesus; as a Roman province the name included both Hellas and the Peloponnesus. Hero St. Paul probably uses it in its narrower sense. The only strictly Achaian Church of which we know is Cenchrea, but doubtless there were little Christian communities along the coasts of the Corinthian gulf. To the Church at Athens St. Paul never directly alludes. This letter was not in any sense an encyclical letter; but even if it were not read in other communities, the Corinthians would convey to them the apostle's greeting.