2 Corinthians 1:9

Authorized King James Version

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

Original Language Analysis

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

Analysis & Commentary

But we had the sentence of death in ourselves (τὸ ἀπόκριμα τοῦ θανάτου)—apokrima (ἀπόκριμα) is judicial: "official verdict/sentence/decree." Perfect tense eschēkamen (ἐσχήκαμεν) suggests ongoing awareness: "we are dead men."

That we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead—hina (ἵνα, "in order that") reveals divine purpose: eliminate self-trust. God's epithet—"the one who raises the dead"—comes from Jewish liturgy (Shemoneh Esreh) but became Paul's experiential reality.

Historical Context

Written around AD 55-56 from Macedonia after Paul's 'painful visit' to Corinth (2:1). The Corinthian church faced challenges to Paul's apostolic authority from 'super-apostles' (11:5) who valued eloquence over cruciform ministry. Paul writes to defend his ministry, explain his changed travel plans, and restore relationship with this fractious congregation.

Questions for Reflection

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