Read & explore together
Paul Greets the Corinthians
These opening lines introduce who is writing, who is receiving the letter, and the blessing Paul speaks over them. Even in two verses, the greeting shows God’s will, the church’s identity, and the source of grace and peace.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
This passage is the beginning of a letter. It names Paul as an apostle of Christ Jesus, includes Timothy as a brother, addresses God’s assembly at Corinth and all the saints in Achaia, and gives a blessing from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 1:1–2Main takeaway
These verses present the church as God’s people who receive grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Paul names himself as an apostlePaul begins by describing himself as ‘an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God’.
Explanation
Paul begins by describing himself as ‘an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God’. This greeting does more than give his name. It says his role comes from Christ Jesus and from God’s will, not from his own decision. The letter starts with God’s initiative in view.
02Timothy is included as a brotherAlongside Paul, the greeting names ‘Timothy our brother’. The verse does not call Timothy an apostle here, but it does place him with Paul in the letter’s opening.
Explanation
Alongside Paul, the greeting names ‘Timothy our brother’. The verse does not call Timothy an apostle here, but it does place him with Paul in the letter’s opening. The term ‘brother’ shows fellowship and shared belonging among God’s people.
03The letter is for Corinth and all the saints in AchaiaPaul addresses ‘the assembly of God which is at Corinth’ and also ‘all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia’.
Explanation
Paul addresses ‘the assembly of God which is at Corinth’ and also ‘all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia’. ‘Assembly of God’ shows the church belongs to God. ‘Saints’ refers to God’s holy people, and the greeting reaches beyond one city.
04Grace and peace come from God the Father and the Lord Jesus ChristPaul’s blessing is short and rich: ‘Grace to you and peace’. He names the source clearly, ‘from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ’.
Explanation
Paul’s blessing is short and rich: ‘Grace to you and peace’. He names the source clearly, ‘from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ’. These are not presented as coming from Paul himself. The greeting points readers to what God gives.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What does Paul say about how he became an apostle?
Look at the exact phrase in verse 1 that explains the source of Paul’s role.
02Who receives this letter besides the assembly at Corinth?
Notice that Paul includes people in a wider region, not only one local church.
03From whom do grace and peace come in this greeting?
Verse 2 names the source of both blessings very clearly.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
2 Corinthians 1:1–2
1Paul, 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:
2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.