2 Corinthians 1:18

2 Corinthians 1:18 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.
• New International Version (NIV)But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.”
• English Standard Version (ESV)As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been Yes and No.
• New King James Version (NKJV)But as God is faithful, our word to you was not Yes and No.

Context of 2 Corinthians 1:18

16that is, [I wanted] to visit you on my way to Macedonia, and [then] to come back to you [on my return] from Macedonia, and have you send me on my way to Judea. 17So then, was I indecisive or capricious when I was [originally] planning this? Or the things I plan, do I plan in a self-serving way like a worldly man, ready to say, “Yes, yes” and “No, no” [at the same time]? But [as surely as] God is faithful and means what He says, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No” [at the same time]. 19For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, by me, Silvanus, and Timothy, was not “Yes” and “No,” but has proved to be “Yes” in Him [true and faithful, the divine “Yes” affirming God’s promises]. 20For as many as are the promises of God, in Christ they are [all answered] “Yes.” So through Him we say our “Amen” to the glory of God.

2 Corinthians 1:18 word by word

πιστὸς δὲ ὁ θεός, ὅτι ὁ λόγος ἡμῶν ὁ πρὸς ὑμᾶς οὐκ ἔστιν ναὶ καὶ οὔ·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Butδέde · thenG1161
• Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
• trueπιστόςpistos · faithfulG4103
• ·ὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• ourἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• wordλόγοςlogos · wordG3056
• towardπρόςpros · to/withG4314
• youσύsu · youG4771
• wasγίνομαιginomai · to beG1096
• notοὐou · noG3756
• yeaναίnai · yesG3483
• andκαίkai · andG2532

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 1:18

• 2 Corinthians 1:23But I call on God as my soul’s witness, that it was to spare you [pain and discouragement] that I did not come again to Corinth—
• 2 Corinthians 11:31The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, He who is blessed and to be praised forevermore, knows that I am not lying.
• John 7:28Then Jesus called out as He taught in the temple, “You know Me and know where I am from; and I have not come on my own initiative [as self-appointed], but He who sent Me is true, and Him you do not know.
• John 8:26I have many things to say and judge concerning you, but He who sent Me is true; and I say to the world [only] the things that I have heard from Him.”
• 1 John 5:20And we [have seen and] know [by personal experience] that the Son of God has [actually] come [to this world], and has given us understanding and insight so that we may [progressively and personally] know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true—in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.
• Revelation 3:7“And to the angel (divine messenger) of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of the Holy One, the True One, He who has the key [to the house] of David, He who opens and no one will [be able to] shut, and He who shuts and no one opens:

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 1:18

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 18But as God is true - Setting the God of truth before my eyes, I could not act in this way: and as sure as he is true, so surely were my purposes sincere; and it was only my uncertainty about your state that induced me to postpone my visit. See 2 Corinthians 1:23.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 18But as God is true - Tyndale renders this in accordance more literally with the Greek, “God is faithful; for our preaching unto you was not yea and nay.” The phrase seems to have the form of an oath, or to be a solemn appeal to God as a Witness, and to be equivalent to the expression “the Lord liveth,” or “as the Lord liveth.” The idea is,” God is faithful and true. He never deceives; never promises that which he does not perform. So true is it that I am…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 15-24Verses 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 the life, resurrection…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 18-20But as surely as God is faithful: God is faithful, so we can trust him, His promises in Christ, and his work through the apostles.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1818. He adds this lest they might think his DOCTRINE was changeable like his purposes (the change in which he admitted in 2Co 1:17, while denying that it was due to "lightness," and at the same time implying that not to have changed, where there was good reason, would have been to imitate the fleshly-minded who at all costs obstinately hold to their purpose). true--Greek, "faithful" (1Co 1:9). our word--the doctrine we preach. was not--The oldest…Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Corinthians 1:18

• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Call
• Corinthians, Second Epistle to the
• Despair
• Fleshly
• Testimony
• Wisdom
• Yea
• Commentaries

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings