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.