2Cor 1:18-22 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 2Cor 1:18-22: 1:18-22 It was bad enough that Paul’s enemies at Corinth had attacked his character as unreliable and shifty (1:17 ). It was worse when they charged that his entire message was just as uncertain. In these verses Paul answers that allegation. Summary for 2Cor 1:18-20: 1:18-20 As surely as God is faithful: God can be trusted, as can his promises in Christ and his ministry through the apostles.

Summary for 2Cor 1:18-22: 1:18-22 ^a It was bad enough that Paul’s enemies at Corinth had attacked his character as unreliable and shifty (1:17 ^b). It was worse when they charged that his entire message was just as uncertain. In these verses Paul answers that allegation.
Summary for 2Cor 1:18-20: 1:18-20 ^c As surely as God is faithful: God can be trusted, as can his promises in Christ and his ministry through the apostles.
1:19 ^d Silas was a well-known Christian leader from the church in Antioch (see Acts 15:22 ^e, 27 ^f, 32 ^g; 1 Thes 1:1 ^h; 2 Thes 1:1 ⁱ; 1 Pet 5:12 ^j).
1:20 ^k God has put a seal of approval, with a resounding “Yes!” on the Old Testament prophecies as they are fulfilled in Christ. Believers respond with “Amen,” meaning “confirmed and agreed.”
Summary for 2Cor 1:21-22: 1:21-22 ^l Paul’s ministry was enabled, commissioned (literally anointed), and endorsed by God, who equipped him for his work.

• along with you: All believers are identified ... as his own (literally sealed) by the Holy Spirit, who is God’s gift to his people (see Rom 8:1-27 ^m; Gal 3:2-7 ⁿ; 5:5-6 ^o, 16-26 ^p; Eph 1:13-14 ^q).

• First installment is a commercial term for a deposit or down payment, guaranteeing full possession (see 2 Cor 5:5 ^r; Eph 1:14 ^s).