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

2 CORINTHIANS 1:21KJV
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2 Corinthians 1:21 (KJV)

What does 2 Corinthians 1:21 mean?

2 Corinthians 1:21 says that God is the one who makes believers, including both Paul and the Corinthians, stand firm together in Christ and who has anointed them. The verse credits God as the source of their stability and their special calling or empowerment in their relationship with Christ.

Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, reminding them that their strength and unity as followers of Jesus do not come from themselves, but from God. He points out that both he and the Corinthians share this foundation and anointing, emphasizing that their faith and mission are rooted in what God has done for them, not in their own efforts.

The Greek behind 2 Corinthians 1:21

  • στηρίζων (stērizōn, "stablisheth"): This word means to make firm, establish, or strengthen. The Greek here carries the sense of ongoing action—God is continually making them stable and secure in Christ, not just once but as a continuing work.
  • χρίσας (chrisas, "anointed"): This word is related to the idea of being set apart or specially empowered for a purpose. In the Greek, it often refers to being chosen or given a role by God, connecting believers to the idea of being part of God's people with a special calling.

Why 2 Corinthians 1:21 matters

  • This verse clarifies that spiritual stability and calling are not self-generated but are gifts from God, countering any idea that believers must achieve these things on their own.
  • By saying "with you," Paul highlights the shared experience between himself and the Corinthians, stressing unity and equality among all believers in Christ.
  • The verse fits into Paul's larger message in this chapter about God's faithfulness and the reliability of His promises, reinforcing that God is the one who initiates and sustains the Christian life.

Where else these words appear

“anointed” Greek G5548 · used in 5 verses

  • Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
  • Acts 4:27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
  • 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.

“stablisheth” Greek G950 · used in 8 verses

  • Mark 16:20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
  • 1 Corinthians 1:6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:
  • Colossians 2:7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

“with” Greek G4862 · used in 121 verses

  • Matthew 25:27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
  • Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
  • Acts 27:2 And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.