📖WEB · 2 Corinthians 1:21
What does 2 Corinthians 1:21 mean?
"Now he who establishes us with you in Christ, and anointed us, is God;"
— 2 Corinthians 1:21 (World English Bible)
Surrounding context
But as God is faithful, our word toward you was not “Yes and no.”
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 is “Yes.”
For however many are the promises of God, in him is the “Yes.” Therefore also through him is the “Amen”, to the glory of God through us.
Now he who establishes us with you in Christ, and anointed us, is God;
who also sealed us, and gave us the down payment of the Spirit in our hearts.
But I call God for a witness to my soul, that I didn’t come to Corinth to spare you.
Not that we control your faith, but are fellow workers with you for your joy. For you stand firm in faith.
Explanation
2 Corinthians 1:21 comes in the middle of Paul's opening remarks to the church in Corinth, where he is defending himself against accusations of being unreliable or inconsistent. Just before this verse, Paul had been explaining why he changed his travel plans and did not visit Corinth when he originally intended. Some in the church apparently used this change of plans to question his integrity, suggesting that his "yes" could not be trusted. In response, Paul shifts the conversation toward God's faithfulness, arguing that just as God's promises in Christ are always "yes" and never uncertain, so too Paul's character and ministry are grounded not in human fickleness but in God's steady, reliable work.
In plain language, this verse says that it is God himself who makes both Paul and the Corinthian believers stand firm together in their relationship with Christ, and it is God who has anointed them. Paul is not claiming credit for his own stability or spiritual authority; instead, he attributes it entirely to God's action. The word "establishes" carries the sense of being made firm, secure, or steadfast — like a building set on a solid foundation. "Anointed" evokes the Old Testament practice of setting someone apart for a special purpose, often through the pouring of oil, as was done for kings, priests, and prophets. Here Paul applies that image to all believers, not just to himself as an apostle.
Theologically, this verse emphasizes both the security and the calling that come from God alone. Being "established... in Christ" means that the Christian's standing is not dependent on personal willpower or human
Compare translations
Go deeper with ScriptureCompanion AI
Ask questions about any verse, follow reading plans, write personal prayers, and track your daily habit — all grounded in verified scripture text.