2 Corinthians 1:1,2

Greetings

Paul started answering his accusers immediately. He stressed that he was an apostle chosen by God, not men. He placed Timothy's name with his in the introduction, perhaps because he had helped establish the church in Corinth (Acts 18:1; Acts 18:5) and had been sent to correct problems there (1 Corinthians 4:17). This letter was also addressed to "the whole of Achaia," which would include Athens in the Roman province, while the first letter seems to have been limited to the smaller Greek sense. This is thought because 1 Corinthians 16:15 calls Stephanas the "firstfruits", while inclusion of Athens would make some Athenian the firstfruits (2 Corinthians 1:1; Acts 17:34).

Paul prayed that the Corinthian church might have grace and peace from God the Father and Jesus Christ his Son. It is interesting how the apostle adopted both the Greek and Hebrew terms of greeting. The combination certainly makes for an appropriate prayer for God's people in all ages (2 Corinthians 1:2)