Note 1 at 2 Cor. 1:1: In this letter Paul will again deal with false teachers who question his apostolic authority. Paul now states that his apostolic office was bestowed upon him by Jesus Christ in accordance with God's will (Rom. 1:1,5; 1 Cor. 1:1; Gal. 1:1; Eph. 1:1; Col. 1:1; 2 Tim. 1:1).

Paul, like the original 12 apostles, received his apostleship directly from the Lord (Acts 26:15-18) and was an eye witness of the risen Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 1:22; 1 Cor. 15:7-8).

The Apostle Peter recognized Paul's apostleship by ranking Paul's letters as being equal with other scripture (2 Pet. 3:15-16).

Note 2 at 2 Cor. 1:1: Paul now uses Timothy's name with his very own. Timothy helped Paul establish the church at Corinth, and he was dearly loved by many there. By Paul's own estimation, Timothy was Paul's most faithful fellow-worker and companion (Phil. 2:19-22). Paul refers to him as "my own son in the faith" (1 Tim. 1:2) and as "my dearly beloved son" (2 Tim. 1:2).

The first mention of Timothy is found in Acts 16:1-3, during Paul's second missionary journey (see note 1 at Acts 16:1, p. 665).

Note 3 at 2 Cor. 1:1: Some people would think it was unusual to have a church in such a place as Corinth. This city was known for its ism (1 Cor. 8:1, 5-6), immorality (1 Cor. 5:1), and sin (1 Cor. 6:18-19). But where sin abounds, God's grace abounds much more (Rom. 5:20). Jesus didn't come to heal the well, but the sick (Mt. 9:12). The Lord doesn't shun difficult situations. He leads His soldiers into the thick of the battle. It was here that Paul was able to establish a number of believers who were sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be saints (1 Cor. 1:2).

Note 4 at 2 Cor. 1:1: During the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ, Christians were known as "disciples" (Mk. 2:16), "brethren" (Mt. 28:10), a sect called "Nazarenes" (Jn. 18:7; Acts 24:5), etc. Now the more common term Paul is using for Christians is "saints." This word does not denote perfection, as many people think, but rather a setting apart unto God by divine call (see note 5 at Acts 9:13, p. 624).

Note 5 at 2 Cor. 1:1: Paul's letters were written to more believers than just those who lived at Corinth. Achaia was a Roman province that would be almost identical with modern Greece (see note 11 at Acts 18:12, p. 682). The churches of that area probably kept copies of the apostle's letters and read them regularly at their meetings along with the Old Testament scriptures. Now, just as then, all believers can benefit from these inspired words.