"For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us."
2 Corinthians 1:20
Paul wrote these beautiful words to the Corinthian believers (vv. 20-24) in response to his need to change his travel plans, which was unavoidable. The problems in the church there that he had addressed in 1 Corinthians still were not resolved yet. Paul felt the pressing need and promised to return and help them make the necessary corrections. But at this time, he could not go to them. He wanted to show them that as a faithful minister of the Gospel, he was not hesitating on his promise, even as God never wavers on His promises. Let’s think about these words.
“For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen.”
God is true, and He always keeps His Word! He is not fickle like humanity. All the promises that God made in His Word He will keep. We need to see that God’s promises are all fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
“The promises of God which are made through Christ, relate to the pardon of sin to the penitent; the sanctification of his people: support in temptation and trial; guidance in perplexity; peace in death, and eternal glory beyond the grave. All of these are made through a Redeemer, and none of these shall fail” [1] (Barnes).
“At the heart of that message was the person of Jesus Christ who completely affirms all God’s promises to people” [2] (BKC).
“In Him, They are Yea (Yes)”
This “Indicates that God’s promises are true, trustworthy, and fulfilled in Christ [3] (FSB).
“Can we imagine God the Father ever saying ‘no’ to God the Son? God the Father will always say Yes to the Son and will always affirm what the Son says (Amen)” [4] (EWC).
“God is true; therefore, every promise of God is true; and consequently, each must have its due fulfillment” [5] (Clarke).
“The Apostle here, as elsewhere, reminds us that God’s gifts depend upon His promise… And this promise is an affirmative utterance, never to be withdrawn or explained away” [6] (CB).
“In Jesus, God says Yea to the yearnings and prayers of human hearts, and Amen (verily) to all the ten thousand promises of Scripture. He who rests on Christ stands in the focal point of certainty and assurance. Not one good thing shall fail him of all that has been promised” [7] (F.B. Meyer).
“Unto the glory of God by us.”
Paul understood the necessity of every believer to bring glory to God (1 Corinthians 10:31).
“The glory of God is displayed in Christ as well as in believers’ confession of him” [8] (CSB).
One way we bring honor to God is by faithfully proclaiming the Gospel message that saved our souls. Believers, let’s rejoice in the promises of God and renew our vows to God that we will live our lives for His glory!
Quote: “God is true; therefore every promise of God is true, and consequently each must have its due fulfillment…. All the promises which God has made to mankind are yea – true in themselves, and amen – faithfully fulfilled to them who believe in Christ Jesus” [9] (Clarke).
[1] BNB – Albert Barnes. Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword.
[2] BKC – David K. Lowery, “2 Corinthians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 557.
[3] FSB – John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), 2 Co 1:20.
[4] EWC – David Guzik. Enduring Word Commentary, the electronic version in eSword.
[5] ACC – Adam Clarke. Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword.
[6] CB – Cambridge Bible, the electronic Bible notes in eSword.
[7] TBDD – F.B. Meyer. Through the Bible Day by Day, the electronic version in eSword.
[8] CSB – Kendell H. Easley, “2 Corinthians,” in CSB Study Bible: Notes, ed. Edwin A. Blum and Trevin Wax (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017), 1841.
[9] ACC – Adam Clarke, ibid.