II Corinthians 1:1 · Bible study
2 Corinthians 1:1 Commentary: God's Will in Paul's Apostleship
Greek · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Explore Paul's apostleship 'through the will of God', Timothy as 'brother', and the saints in Achaia in this verse study of 2 Corinthians 1:1.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Paul asserts his apostolic authority as divinely appointed, includes Timothy as a fellow brother, and addresses the Corinthian church along with all believers in Achaia.
- Key words: ἀπόστολος (apostle), θέλημα (will), ἀδελφός (brother), ἐκκλησία (assembly/church), ἅγιος (saint/holy).
- Main debate: Whether ‘through the will of God’ primarily defends against false apostles or highlights grace of calling, and whether ‘saints in all Achaia’ implies an encyclical letter or simply a wider intended audience.
- Theological theme: Divine calling in ministry and the unity of all believers as saints.
- Best use: A foundational text for understanding apostolic authority, Christian partnership, and the regional scope of church life.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God in Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia:
WEB World English Bible 2000
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the assembly of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia:
KJV King James Version 1769
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:
ASV American Standard Version 1901
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints that are in the whole of Achaia:
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, through the will of God, and Timotheus the brother, to the assembly of God that is in Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia:
Darby Darby Bible 1890
Paul, apostle of Jesus Christ by God's will, and the brother Timotheus, to the assembly of God which is in Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother: to the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints that are in all Achaia:
Translations in other languages (10 available)
PABLO, apóstol de Jesucristo|strong="G2424, G5547" por la voluntad de Dios, y Timoteo el hermano, á la iglesia de Dios que está en Corinto, juntamente con todos los santos que están por toda la Acaya:
Paulo, apóstolo de Jesus Cristo, pela vontade de Deus, e o irmão Timóteo, para a igreja de Deus que está em Corinto, com todos os santos que estão em toda a Acaia.
Paul, apôtre de Jésus-Christ par la volonté de Dieu, et le frère Timothée, à l’ Église de Dieu qui est à Corinthe, et à tous les saints qui sont dans toute l’Achaïe:
Paulus, ein Apostel Jesu Christi durch den Willen Gottes, und Bruder Timotheus der Gemeinde Gottes zu Korinth samt allen Heiligen in ganz Achaja:
Paulus, een apostel van Jezus Christus, door den wil van God, en Timotheus, de broeder, aan de Gemeente Gods, die te Korinthe is, met al de heiligen, die in geheel Achaje zijn:
Paolo, apostolo di Cristo Gesù per la volontà di Dio, e il fratello Timoteo, alla chiesa di Dio che è in Corinto, con tutti i santi che sono in tutta l’Acaia,
Paweł, Apostoł Jezusa Chrystusa przez wolę Bożą, i Tymoteusz brat, zborowi Bożemu, który jest w Koryncie, ze wszystkimi świętymi, którzy są we wszystkiej Achai.
Павел, волею Божиею Апостол Иисуса Христа, и Тимофей брат, церкви Божией, находящейся в Коринфе, со всеми святыми по всей Ахаии:
奉 神 旨意 作基督 耶穌 使徒 的保羅 和 兄弟 提摩太，寫信給 在 哥林多 神 的教會，並 亞該亞 遍處 的眾 聖徒。
Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ by the purpose of God, and Timothy the brother, to the church of God which is in Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia:
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · II Corinthians 1:1
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that Paul's self-identification as an apostle 'through the will of God' anchors his authority in divine initiative, not human ambition. Calvin and Gill both stress this as a counter to false apostles who lacked a genuine call. Barnes adds that the phrase underscores Paul's commission as a gift, not a right earned by merit.
Timothy is called 'the brother' (Greek ho adelphos) rather than 'son,' a deliberate choice that Vincent and Wesley note elevates him as a fellow minister. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown observes that when writing to Timothy, Paul calls him 'my son' (1 Timothy 1:18), but in addressing others, he presents him as a brother. The inclusion of Timothy here serves as a joint-sender, giving weight to the letter and confirming the partnership between them.
The address extends beyond Corinth to 'all the saints who are in all Achaia.' The Cambridge Bible and Lange note that this likely includes believers in other cities of the Roman province, such as Cenchrea and Athens, though the letter primarily addresses the Corinthian situation. Gill remarks that Paul intended copies of this letter to circulate, so that the wider church could benefit from the reproofs and instructions.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Divine call as defense against false apostles: Calvin and Gill note that false apostles also claimed titles, so Paul emphasizes God's will to distinguish true from false calling.
- Timothy as joint-sender not co-author: Vincent argues Timothy appears as joint-sender of the epistle, not as amanuensis or joint-author, lending credibility and shared witness.
What is clear: The verse unequivocally identifies Paul as an apostle by God's will, names Timothy as a fellow Christian, and addresses the church in Corinth along with all believers in the province of Achaia.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Paul's apostleship 'through the will of God' | Christians agree that Paul's apostleship originated from God's sovereign choice, not human appointment or personal ambition. | Some traditions emphasize this as a defense against false apostles who questioned Paul's authority (Calvin, Gill); others focus on the grace of being chosen despite unworthiness (Barnes). Both readings see it as a statement of divine origin. |
| Timothy as 'brother' | All agree Timothy is a fellow Christian and co-laborer in the gospel. | Vincent argues Timothy appears as joint-sender, not co-author or amanuensis; Barnes suggests Timothy's name adds weight against charges of instability. The term 'brother' might imply equal status or simply Christian kinship. |
| Address to 'all the saints in all Achaia' | The letter was intended for a wider audience beyond Corinth, including believers throughout the Roman province. | Lange argues the letter is not strictly encyclical because its contents mainly concern Corinth, while others see it as circular (compare Galatians 1:2). The use of 'saints' rather than 'churches' may indicate scattered individuals rather than organized congregations. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Corinth stood as the capital of the Roman province of Achaia, a bustling commercial hub with a diverse population. The church there faced deep divisions, moral scandals, and the influence of false teachers who attacked Paul's authority. Paul wrote this second letter from Macedonia, most likely Philippi, after leaving Ephesus following the riot stirred by Demetrius (Acts 20:1; Poole).
Timothy had been sent to Corinth earlier from Ephesus (1 Corinthians 4:17; 16:10) and had now rejoined Paul in Macedonia. Barnes suggests Paul paired Timothy with himself in the salutation partly because Timothy's recent presence at Corinth could testify to Paul's genuine intentions, especially regarding a change of travel plans. False apostles had accused Paul of instability for not visiting as promised (2 Corinthians 1:13-16). Timothy's name thus served as a living rebuttal.
The phrase 'all the saints who are in all Achaia' reflects the broader Christian presence beyond the city. Achaia encompassed the entire southern region of Greece, including Athens, Cenchrea (the port of Corinth), and other towns. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown point out that Paul had planted several churches in the province (1 Thessalonians 1:8). Lange notes that the use of 'saints' rather than 'churches' may mean these were scattered individuals or small groups linked to the mother church in Corinth. Alford, cited in Lange, suggests Paul wanted to include them as individual believers without implying that every criticism in the letter applied equally to all.
Paul's emphasis on 'the will of God' reclaims his ground against those who questioned his credentials. In Roman society, status and official appointment mattered. By grounding his apostleship in God's will, Paul declared that his authority was not subject to human approval or the opinion of critics.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant manuscript variations for this verse. The Greek text is stable across major witnesses, with only minor orthographic differences (e.g., spelling of Timotheos) that do not affect meaning.
Reception History
The early church father Chrysostom observed that Paul's inclusion of 'all the saints in all Achaia' was unusual for his openings, suggesting this letter had wider circulation (cited in Cambridge Bible). During the Reformation, Calvin emphasized 'by the will of God' to counter false apostles, reinforcing the doctrine of divine calling. In the 17th century, Gill and later Barnes continued to explore Timothy's joint-sender role, seeing it as a model for partnership in ministry. Modern readings often focus on the regional scope of the church and the practical unity it implies.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Divine calling under fire. Paul does not defend himself from personal hurt; he grounds his office in God's will. When ministry is questioned, the Christian's confidence is not in human commendation but in the God who called.
- Partnership that honors. Timothy is 'our brother,' not a junior assistant. Paul shows that gospel work is shared, not dominated by a single leader. This models how to elevate younger workers without losing apostolic authority.
- An audience bigger than our address. The letter is to Corinth, but it includes all saints in Achaia. Local church issues affect the whole body; what happens in one place serves the wider family of believers.
Five-point outline
- God's will as the source of ministry. Paul's apostleship is 'through the will of God', not personal ambition or church election.
- The brother who stands with you. Timothy is called 'the brother,' signaling equality in the gospel kinship.
- The local church as God's assembly. 'The assembly of God which is at Corinth', a concrete gathering with a specific location.
- The saints across the province. 'All the saints in all Achaia', the letter stretches from the city to the region.
- The tone for the whole letter. By beginning with divine will and shared brotherhood, Paul prepares readers for hard truths wrapped in love.
Illustration hooks
- A letter addressed not just to the main campus but to all satellite locations, the church is one body across geography.
- Paul including Timothy is like a senior pastor insisting a junior colleague share the byline, saying, 'We wrote this together.'
- The phrase 'through the will of God', think of a person who endures criticism in their vocation because they know they were placed there by God, not by committee.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why does Paul need to say his apostleship is 'through the will of God'? Was someone accusing him of taking the role on his own?
- Why is Timothy called 'brother' here, while in other letters Paul calls him 'son'? Does that change how we see Timothy's role?
- Who are the 'saints' in Achaia? Does that include believers in cities like Athens, or just scattered individuals?
Leading a Discussion
This opening is not a polite formality. Paul sets down his authority, his partnership, and his audience in just a few words. The rest of the letter builds on these foundations. As a group, read the verse together and notice what Paul chooses to say about himself, about Timothy, and about the people receiving the letter.
Discussion questions
- Read the verse aloud. What do you learn about Paul from how he introduces himself?
- The phrase 'through the will of God' is brief but heavy. Why do you think Paul includes it here, especially given the false teachers at Corinth?
- Timothy is called 'our brother.' Why does it matter that Paul uses 'brother' rather than 'son' or 'servant' in this context?
- Compare this address with the opening of 1 Corinthians (1:1-2). What differences do you notice? What might they tell us about the situation Paul is addressing in 2 Corinthians?
- The letter is addressed to the church in Corinth 'with all the saints' in Achaia. What does that say about how Paul viewed the connection between local churches? How might that shape how we view other Christian communities in our region?
- If your church were to write a letter to another church, what would you include in your 'salutation' to show your identity and intent? What would you be careful to say first?
- Paul’s apostleship is by 'the will of God.' In what areas of your life do you need to remember that your identity is given by God, not earned from people?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Acts 16:1 | He came to Derbe and Lystra; and behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewess who believed, but his father was a Greek. |
| Acts 18:1 | After these things Paul departed from Athens and came to Corinth. |
| Acts 18:12 | But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment seat, |
| Romans 1:1 | Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the Good News of God, |
| Romans 1:5 | through whom we received grace and apostleship for obedience of faith among all the nations for his name’s sake; |
| Romans 15:26 | For it has been the good pleasure of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are at Jerusalem. |
| Romans 16:5 | Greet the assembly that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first fruits of Achaia to Christ. |
| Romans 16:21 | Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my relatives. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
7 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin insists that claiming the title of apostle means nothing without the reality shown in faithful work. He also stresses that a gathering can still be recognized as a true church despite many faults, as long as genuine marks of religion remain.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
Cambridge Bible Schools notes that Paul's address to all the saints throughout Achaia is an unusual circular greeting for him. The commentator explains that Corinth was probably the only major church in that province, with scattered believers elsewhere considered part of that community. Achaia here means Greece proper, excluding Macedonia.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva rendering emphasizes Paul's apostolic authority as coming directly from God's will, not human appointment. It also highlights Timothy as a fellow brother, not an inferior, and extends the greeting beyond Corinth to all believers throughout Achaia, stressing the unity of the scattered saints.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill observes that Paul omits the phrase "called to be" when naming himself an apostle here, deliberately stressing his commission comes directly from God's will, not human appointment. This pointedly distinguishes true apostles from the false ones troubling Corinth. Gill also notes Paul includes Timothy as "our brother" because Timothy had just returned from checking on the church.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB observes that Paul addresses not only the church in Corinth but every individual saint throughout Achaia, making this a circular letter for the whole province. He also notes the careful distinction in Paul's wording: when speaking about Timothy to others, he calls him "brother," reserving "my son" for direct address.
Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887
Timothy our brother. Lit., the brother. Compare 1 Co 1:1 . Well known in the Christian brotherhood. When Paul writes to Timothy himself he calls him son " (Bengel). Timothy appears, not as amanuensis, nor as joint - author, but as joint - sender of the epistle. Achaia. See on 1 Co 16:15 .
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley notes that Paul uses different titles for Timothy depending on the context: calling him "son" when writing directly to him, but "brother" when mentioning him to others. The shift shows that Paul's relationship with Timothy was both paternal and fraternal, depending on the audience.