BibleWord.ai› Bible› 2 Corinthians› Chapter 1› Verse 9

2 Corinthians 1:9

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 2 Corinthians 1:9 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “yea, we ourselves have had the sentence of death within ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raiseth the dead:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

yea, we ourselves have had the sentence of death within ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raiseth the dead:
2 Corinthians 1:9 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Corinthians 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
6But whether we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or whether we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which worketh in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer:
7and our hope for you is stedfast; knowing that, as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so also are ye of the comfort.
8For we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning our affliction which befell [us] in Asia, that we were weighed down exceedingly, beyond our power, insomuch that we despaired even of life:
9yea, we ourselves have had the sentence of death within ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raiseth the dead:
10who delivered us out of so great a death, and will deliver: on whom we have set our hope that he will also still deliver us;
11ye also helping together on our behalf by your supplication; that, for the gift bestowed upon us by means of many, thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf.
12For our glorifying is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we behaved ourselves in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
← 2 Corinthians 1:82 Corinthians 1:10 →
← Full Chapter 1 2 Corinthians Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, etc..] By the sentence of death is meant, not any decree of heaven, or appointment of God that they should die; nor any sentence of condemnation and death passed on them by the civil magistrate; but an opinion or persuasion in their own breasts, that they should die; so far were they from any hopes of life, that they looked upon themselves as dead men, as the Egyptians did, when their firstborn were slain, and said, “we be all dead men”, (<021233>Exodus 12:33), and to this extremity they were suffered to be brought by the wise counsel of God, for the following purposes, to learn to lay aside all selftrust and confidence: that we should not trust…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“But--"Yea." in God which raiseth the dead--We had so given up all thoughts of life, that our only hope was fixed on the coming resurrection; so in Co1 15:32 his hope of the resurrection was what buoyed him up in contending with foes, savage as wild beasts. Here he touches only on the doctrine of the resurrection, taking it for granted that its truth is admitted by the Corinthians, and urging its bearing on their practice.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“But we had the sentence of death in ourselves - Margin, “answer.” The word rendered “sentence” (ἀπόκριμα apokrima) means properly an answer, judicial response, or sentence; and is here synonymous with verdict. It means that Paul felt that he was condemned to die; that he felt as if he were under sentence of death and with no hope of acquittal; he was called to contemplate the hour of death as just before him. The words “in ourselves,” mean, against ourselves; or, we expected certainly to die. This seems as if he had been condemned to die, and may either refer to some instance when the popular fury was so great that he felt it was determined he should die; or more probably to a judicial…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Yea, we had the sentence of death in ourselves - We ourselves expected nothing but death. 2 Corinthians 1:10”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“sentence: or, answer that: Co2 3:5, Co2 4:7, Co2 12:7-10; Job 40:14; Psa 22:29, Psa 44:5-7; Pro 28:26; Jer 9:23, Jer 9:24; Jer 17:5-7; Eze 33:13; Luk 18:9 in God: Co2 4:13, Co2 4:14; Eze 37:1-14; Rom 4:17-25; Heb 11:19 2 Corinthians 1:10”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read 2 Corinthians 1 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification