2 Corinthians 1:9

Authorized King James Version

But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
ἀλλ'
G235
But
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
#2
αὐτοὶ
G846
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#3
ἐν
G1722
in
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#4
ἑαυτοῖς
G1438
ourselves
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
#5
τοὺς
G3588
which
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#6
ἀπόκριμα
G610
the sentence
a judicial decision
#7
τοὺς
G3588
which
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#8
θανάτου
G2288
of death
(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)
#9
ἐσχήκαμεν
G2192
we had
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
#10
ἵνα
G2443
that
in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)
#11
μὴ
G3361
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
#12
πεποιθότες
G3982
trust
to convince (by argument, true or false); by analogy, to pacify or conciliate (by other fair means); reflexively or passively, to assent (to evidence
#13
ὦμεν
G5600
(may, might, can, could, would, should, must, etc.; also with g1487 and its comparative, as well as with other particles) be
#14
ἐπὶ
G1909
in
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
#15
ἑαυτοῖς
G1438
ourselves
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
#16
ἀλλ'
G235
But
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
#17
ἐπὶ
G1909
in
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
#18
τοὺς
G3588
which
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#19
θεῷ
G2316
God
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
#20
τοὺς
G3588
which
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#21
ἐγείροντι
G1453
raiseth
to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from
#22
τοὺς
G3588
which
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#23
νεκρούς·
G3498
the dead
dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun)

Analysis

Within the broader context of 2 Corinthians, this passage highlights salvation through declarative statements that establish theological truth. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by establishing foundational concepts crucial to 2 Corinthians's theological argument.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of 2 Corinthians Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection