2 Korintus 1:20-23

1:20 For every one of God’s promises are “Yes” in him; therefore also through him the “Amen” is spoken, to the glory we give to God. 1:21 But it is God who establishes ¹  us together with you in Christ and who anointed us, ²  1:22 who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a down payment. ³ 

Why Paul Postponed His Visit

1:23 Now I appeal to God as my witness, ⁴  that to spare ⁵  you I did not come again to Corinth. ⁶ 

¹ tn Or “strengthens.”

² tn Grk “But he who establishes us together with you in Christ and anointed us is God.”

³ tn Or “first installment,” “pledge,” “deposit.”

sn Down payment. The Greek word ἀρραβών (arrabwn) denotes the first payment or first installment of money or goods which serves as a guarantee or pledge for the completion of the transaction. In the NT the term is used only figuratively of the Holy Spirit as the down payment of the blessings promised by God (it occurs later in 2 Cor 5:5, and also in Eph 1:14). In the “already – not yet” scheme of the NT the possession of the Spirit now by believers (“already”) can be viewed as a guarantee that God will give them the balance of the promised blessings in the future (“not yet”).

⁴ tn Grk “I call upon God as witness against my soul.” Normally this implies an appeal for help (L&N 33.176).

⁵ tn Here φειδόμενος (feidomeno") has been translated as a telic participle.

⁶ sn Paul had promised to come again to visit (see 2 Cor 1:15, 24) but explains here why he had changed his plans.

map For location see JP1 C2; JP2 C2; JP3 C2; JP4 C2.