2 Corinthians 1 · Verse 21

2 Corinthians 1:21

Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
2 Corinthians 1:21, King James Version

2 Corinthians 1:21 in other translations

BSBNow it is God who establishes both us and you in Christ. He anointed us,
WEBNow he who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God,
ASVNow he that establisheth us with you in Christ, and anointed us, is God;
YLTand He who is confirming you with us into Christ, and did anoint us, is God,
DARBYNow he that establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, isGod,
BBENow he who makes our faith strong together with you, in Christ, and has given us of his grace, is God;
WebsterNow he who establisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;

What does 2 Corinthians 1:21 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
21. stablisheth us ... in Christ--that is, in the faith of Christ--in believing in Christ. anointed us--As "Christ" is the "Anointed" (which His name means), so "He hath anointed (Greek, "chrisas") us," ministers and believing people alike, with the Spirit (2Co 1:22; 1Jo 2:20, 27). Hence we become "a sweet savor of Christ" (2Co 2:15).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 21. Now he which stablisheth us. He who makes us firm, (οβεβαιωνημας;) that is, he who has confirmed us in the hopes of the gospel, and who gives us grace to be faithful, and them in our promises. The object of this is to trace all to God, and to prevent the appearance of self-confidence or of boasting. Paul had dwelt at length on his own fidelity and veracity. He had taken pains to prove that he was not inconstant and fickle-minded. He here says, that this was not to be traced to himself, or to any native goodness, but was all to be traced to God. It was God who had given them all confident hope in Christ; and it was-God who had given him grace to adhere to his promises, and to maintain a character for veracity. The first "us," in this verse, refers probably to Paul himself; the second includes also the Corinthians, as being also anointed and sealed.

And hath anointed us. Us who are Christians. It was customary to anoint kings, prophets, and priests, on their entering on their office, as a part of the ceremony of inauguration. The word anoint is applied to a priest, Ex 28:41, 40:15 to a prophet, 1Kgs 19:16; Isa 61:1; to a king, 1Sam 10:1, 15:1, 2Sam 2:4, 1Kgs 1:34. It is applied often to the Messiah as being, set apart or consecrated to his office as prophet, priest, and king--i. e., as appointed by God to the highest office ever held in the world. It is applied also to Christians as being consecrated or set apart to the service of God by the Holy Spirit--a use of the word which is derived from the sense of consecrating, or setting apart, to the service of God. Thus in 1Jn 2:20, it is said, "But we have an unction from the Holy One, and know all things." So in 1Jn 2:27, "But the anointing which ye have received abideth in you," etc. The anointing which was used in the consecration of prophets, priests, and kings, seems to have been designed to be emblematic of the influences of the Holy Spirit, who is often represented as poured upon those who are under his influence, (Prov 1:23, Isa 44:3, Joel 2:28,29, Zech 12:10, Acts 10:45,) in the same way as water or oil is poured out. And as Christians are everywhere represented as being under the influence of the Holy Spirit, as being those on whom the Holy Spirit is poured, they are represented as "anointed." They are in this manner solemnly set apart, and consecrated to the service of God.

Is God. God has done it. All is to be traced to him. It is not by any native goodness which we have, or any inclination which we have by nature to his service. This is one of the instances which abound so much in the writings of Paul, where he delights to trace all good influences to God.

(a) "stablisheth us" 2Thes 2:17, 1Pet 5:10 (b) "anointed us" 1Jn 2:20,27, Rev 3:18

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 21 Now he which stablisheth us with you - It is God that has brought both us and you to this sure state of salvation through Christ; and he has anointed us, giving us the extraordinary influences of the Holy Ghost, that we might be able effectually to administer this Gospel to your salvation. Through this unction we know and preach the truth, and are preserved by it from dissimulation and falsity of every kind.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Corinthians 1:15-24

The apostle clears himself from the charge of levity and inconstancy, in not coming to Corinth. Good men should be careful to keep the reputation of sincerity and constancy; they should not resolve, but on careful thought; and they will not change unless for weighty reasons. Nothing can render God's promises more certain: his giving them through Christ, assures us they are his promises; as the wonders God wrought in…

Read the full comment on 2 Corinthians 1:15-24 →

2 Corinthians 1:21 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ὁhoThe [One]G3588
δὲdenowG1161
βεβαιῶνbebaiōnestablishingG950
ἡμᾶςhēmasusG3165
σὺνsunwithG4862
ὑμῖνhuminyouG4771
εἰςeisuntoG1519
ΧριστὸνChristonChristG5547
καὶkaiandG2532
χρίσαςchrisashaving anointedG5548
ἡμᾶςhēmasusG3165
θεός,theos[is] God,G2316

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 2 Corinthians 1:21

  • 1 John 2:27

    But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

  • 1 John 2:20

    But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

  • 1 Peter 5:10

    But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

  • Romans 8:9

    But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

  • Isaiah 61:1

    The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

  • 2 Thessalonians 3:3

    But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

  • Isaiah 9:7

    Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:5

    Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:8

    And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

  • Acts 10:38

    How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

  • Psalms 89:4

    Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah.

  • Isaiah 49:8

    Thus saith the Lord, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
stablisheth.
5:5; Ps 37:23,24; 87:5; 89:4; Isa 9:7; 49:8; 62:7; Ro 16:25; Col 2:7
1Th 3:13; 2Th 2:8,17; 3:3; 1Pe 5:10
anointed.
Ps 45:7; Isa 59:21; 61:1; Joh 3:34; Ac 10:38; Ro 8:9; 1Jo 2:20,27
Re 1:6; 3:18

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 2 Corinthians 1:20

    For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

  • 2 Corinthians 1:21

    Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;

  • 2 Corinthians 1:22

    Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

Read all of 2 Corinthians 1

2 Corinthians 1:21 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y el que nos confirma con vosotros en Cristo, y el que nos ungió, es Dios;
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Or celui qui nous lie fermement avec vous à Christ et qui nous a oints, c’est Dieu,
German
Elberfelder 1871		Der uns aber mit euch befestigt in Christum und uns gesalbt hat, ist Gott,
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Qui autem confirmat nos vobiscum in Christo, et qui unxit nos Deus: