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Verse

2 Corinthians 1:21

ESV And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us,
NIV Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us,
NASB Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God,
CSB Now it is God who strengthens us together with you in Christ, and who has anointed us.
NLT It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us,
KJV Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;

What does 2 Corinthians 1:21 mean?

In answering a frivolous accusation—that he has been selfishly wavering in his travel plans to visit Corinth—Paul has diverted to a grand declaration about how Christ is the "yes" to all of God's plans and promises.

God is the one who established both Paul and his co-workers and the believing Corinthians in Christ. In other words, Paul is not over and above the Corinthians in his worth to God. Nor are they over him. They have both been established in Christ by God. In addition, God has anointed all of them with the Holy Spirit. The picture is of the priest anointing someone's head with oil. In this case, though, it is God Himself pouring out His own Holy Spirit over those who come to Him by faith in Christ. Paul asserts that this has happened for him, for his co-workers in ministry, and for all the Corinthians.

Perhaps Paul is making the connection to his change of travel plans by suggesting that the Holy Spirit leads him in his service to the Corinthians as the Holy Spirit leads and guides all believers.
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