(18)For they have refreshed my spirit and yours; respect therefore such men.
(19)The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church which is in their house. (20)All the brethren salute you. Salute one another with a holy kiss.
(21)The salutation of Paul with mine own hand. (22)If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema, Maranatha.
(23)The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. (24)My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
The first epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi by Stephanas, and Fortunatus, and Achaicus, and Timothy.
THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS.
CHAP. I.
PAUL an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of G.o.d, and Timothy a brother, to the church of G.o.d which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia: (2)grace unto you, and peace from G.o.d our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
(3)Blessed be the G.o.d and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and G.o.d of all consolation; (4)who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we might be able to comfort those who are in all tribulation, by the consolation with which we ourselves are comforted of G.o.d. (5)Because as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so through Christ aboundeth also our consolation. (6)But whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectually wrought by patient endurance of the same sufferings which we also suffer; or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. (7)And our hope of you is sure, knowing that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so also of the consolation.
(8)For we would not have you ignorant, brethren, of the tribulation which came to us in Asia, that above measure we have been burdened beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life: (9)for we ourselves, in ourselves have received the sentence of death, that we should have no confidence in ourselves, but in G.o.d who raiseth the dead. (10)Who from so imminent a prospect of death hath delivered us, and still delivers: in whom we trust also that he will yet deliver us: (11)ye also labouring together for us in prayer, that from many persons thanks may be given on our behalf for the gifts bestowed on us by many.
(12)For our glorying is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and G.o.dly sincerity, not with carnal wisdom, but by the grace of G.o.d, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and peculiarly towards you. (13)For we write no other things to you than those which you know and acknowledge; and I trust also ye will acknowledge them even to the end. (14)As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your glory, as also ye are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.
(15)And in this confidence I was intending to come unto you a second time, that ye might receive a second blessing; (16)and through you to pa.s.s into Macedonia, and again from Macedonia return unto you, and by you to be forwarded on my journey towards Judea. (17)Such then being my intention, did I indeed change it with levity? or the things which I purpose, do I purpose after the flesh, that with me there should be yea, yea, and nay, nay? (18)But as sure as G.o.d is true, our word to you was not yea and nay. (19)For the Son of G.o.d, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us--by me and Silva.n.u.s and Timotheus--was not yea and nay, but there was yea in him; (20)for all the promises of G.o.d in him are yea, and in him Amen, to the glory of G.o.d by us.
(21)Now he that confirmeth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is G.o.d; (22)who also hath put his seal upon us, and given us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
(23)But I appeal to G.o.d as a witness unto my soul, that to spare you I have not yet come to Corinth: (24)not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow-helpers of your joy; for by faith ye stand.
CHAP. II.
BUT I prescribed to myself this rule, not to come again to you with sorrow. (2)For if I make you sorry, who is he that maketh me glad, but he that is made sorrowful by me? (3)And I have written unto you for this very purpose, that I might not, when I come to you, have sorrow from those in whom I ought to rejoice, having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all. (4)For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears, not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly towards you.
(5)Now if any person hath given cause for grief, he hath not grieved me _merely_, but partly all of you; that I may add no farther burden.
(6)Sufficient for such person is that chastis.e.m.e.nt which hath been inflicted by the majority of you. (7)Wherefore, on the contrary, ye rather ought to forgive and comfort him, lest such a one be swallowed up with excess of sorrow. (8)Wherefore I exhort you to confirm your love towards him. (9)For to this end also have I written, that I may know by this proof of you if ye are obedient in all things. (10)But to whomsoever ye forgive any thing, so do I; and if I forgive any thing, to whom I forgive, for your sakes I do it, in the person of Jesus Christ, (11)that no advantage be gained over us by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his devices.
(12)But when I came to Troas to preach the Gospel of Christ, though a door was opened unto me by the Lord, (13)I had no test in my spirit on my not finding there t.i.tus my brother: so taking my leave of them I went forth unto Macedonia. (14)But thanks be to G.o.d, who causeth us always to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. (15)For we are a sweet odour of Christ to G.o.d in those who are saved, and in those who perish. (16)To the one we are the odour of death unto death, to the other the odour of life unto life: and who is sufficient for these things? (17)For we are not as the many, adulterating the word of G.o.d; but as of sincerity, but as of G.o.d, in the sight of G.o.d, speak we in Christ.
CHAP. III.
DO we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some, commendatory letters to you, or commendatory letters from you? (2)Ye are our letter written in our hearts, acknowledged and read of all men: (3)because ye are manifestly seen to be the letter of Christ, of which we have been the secretaries, written not with ink, but by the Spirit of the living G.o.d, not on tables of stone, but on the fleshly tables of the heart. (4)And such confidence have we through Christ towards G.o.d: (5)not that we are sufficient of ourselves to account any thing of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of G.o.d. (6)Who hath made us also able ministers of the new testament, not of the letter but of the spirit; for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
(7)For if the ministry of death in letters graven on stone, was attended with glory, so that the children of Israel could not keep their eyes fixed upon the countenance of Moses, because of the glory of his countenance, though _soon_ evanescent; (8)how much more will not the ministry of the Spirit be attended with glory? (9)For if the ministry of condemnation is glory, much more doth the ministry of righteousness excel in glory. (10)For that which was glorious hath no glory, comparatively, because of the glory which excelleth. (11)For if that which was abolished came in a glorious manner, much more is that which remaineth glorious.
(12)Having therefore such a hope, we use much freedom of speech.
(13)And _act_ not as Moses who spread a veil over his face, in order that the children of Israel might not look stedfastly to the end of that which should be abolished. (14)But their understandings were darkened: for unto this day the same veil in their reading the old testament abideth unremoved; which veil is taken away by Christ.
(15)For unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is spread over their hearts. (16)Nevertheless, when Israel shall turn unto the Lord, the veil shall be taken away.
(17)Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (18)And we all with face unveiled, beholding the glory of the Lord _reflected_ as in a mirror, according to the same image, receive a transformation from glory into glory, as by the Lord, the Spirit.
CHAP. IV.
THEREFORE having this ministry, as we have obtained mercy, we faint not; (2)but have renounced all shameful secret practices, not conducting ourselves with artifice, nor deceitfully disguising the word of G.o.d, but by clear manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man"s conscience as in the presence of G.o.d. (3)And if now our gospel be hid, it is hid from those who are lost: (4)among whom the G.o.d of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelievers, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of G.o.d, should not dart its bright beams upon them. (5)For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus" sake.
(6)For the G.o.d who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, he hath shined into our hearts, to give illumination of the knowledge of the glory of G.o.d in the face of Jesus Christ. (7)But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the transcendent excellence of the power might be of G.o.d, and not of us.
(8)We are afflicted on every side, yet not reduced to extremities; under difficulties, yet not in despair; (9)persecuted, yet not abandoned; cast down, but not destroyed; (10)always bearing about in the body the death pangs of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body. (11)For we who are yet alive are continually delivered up to death for Jesus" sake, that the life also of Jesus may be made manifest in our mortal flesh. (12)Wherefore death indeed is working in us, but life in you.
(13)Having then the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore I have spoken[101], we also believe, and therefore speak; (14)knowing that he who raised up our Lord Jesus Christ, will raise up us also through Jesus, and present us together with you. (15)For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace, through the thanksgiving of more persons, may more abound to the glory of G.o.d.
(16)Therefore we never faint; for though our outward man decay, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. (17)For our momentary light affliction worketh for us a transcendently far more exceeding eternal weight of glory; (18)whilst we direct our aim not to the things which are seen, but to the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporary, but the things that are not seen are eternal.
CHAP. V.
FOR we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle should be taken down, we have a building from G.o.d, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (2)For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our mansion which is from heaven; (3)that so invested, we may not be found naked. (4)For we which are in this tabernacle, groan, being burdened; wherein we desire not to be unclothed, but clothed upon, that what is mortal may be swallowed up of life.
(5)But he that hath wrought us for this very thing is G.o.d, who also hath given us the earnest of the spirit. (6)Therefore we have always confidence, and know that whilst we are indwelling in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (7)(for we walk by faith, not by sight.) (8)We are confident indeed, and with pleasure expect to go out from the body, and to dwell within with the Lord: (9)wherefore also our ambition is, that whether dwelling in the body, or out of the body, we may be acceptable to him.
(10)For we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ, that each may receive the things done in the body according to what he hath done, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. (11)Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we have been made manifest to G.o.d, and I hope also have been made manifest in your consciences.
(12)For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion of glorying on our behalf, that ye may have an answer for those who glory in countenance, and not in heart. (13)For if we are transported out of ourselves, it is for G.o.d; or if we are sober-minded, it is for your sake. (14)For the love of Christ constraineth us, because we judge thus, that if one died for all, then were all dead: (15)and he died for all, that they who live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him that died for them, and rose again.
(16)Wherefore from the present moment know we no man after the flesh: yea though we have also known Christ after the flesh, yet so henceforth know we him no more. (17)Wherefore if any person be in Christ, he is a new creation: the old things are pa.s.sed away; behold, all things are become new. (18)But all things are of G.o.d, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; (19)namely, that G.o.d was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing to them their offences: and hath committed to us the word of reconciliation. (20)Therefore we are amba.s.sadors for Christ, as though G.o.d exhorted you by us; we entreat you for Christ"s sake, be ye reconciled to G.o.d. (21)For he hath made him, who knew no sin, to be a sin offering for us, that we might become the righteousness of G.o.d in him.
CHAP. VI.
WE then as labourers with him, exhort you also that ye receive not the grace of G.o.d in vain: (2)for he saith, "In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I succoured thee [102]."
Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
(3)Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: (4)but in every thing approving ourselves as ministers of G.o.d, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in straits, (5)in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings, (6)in purity, in knowledge, in long-suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, (7)by the word of truth, by the power of G.o.d, with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left, (8)through honour and dishonour, through evil report and good report: as deceivers, yet true men; (9)as unknown, though well known; as dying, and lo! we live; as chastened, yet not given over to death; (10)as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
(11)Our mouth is opened unto you, O Corinthians! our heart is enlarged.
(12)Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels. (13)Let us have a like return; I speak as unto children; be ye also enlarged.
(14)Be not unequally yoked with infidels; for what partic.i.p.ation hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what fellowship _is there_ between light and darkness? (15)and what concord of Christ with Belial?
or what share hath he that believeth with an infidel? (16)or what agreement hath the temple of G.o.d with idols? for ye are the temple of the living G.o.d; as G.o.d hath said, "I will inhabit in them, and walk about in them; and I will be their G.o.d, and they shall be for me a people[103]." (17)"Wherefore go forth from the midst of them, and be ye separated, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean; and I will receive you[104], (18)and I will be as a father unto you, and ye shall be to me for sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty[105]."
CHAP. VII.
HAVING therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of G.o.d. (2)Give us a favourable reception: we have injured no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man. (3)I speak not for your condemnation, for I have already said, that ye are in our hearts to die and live together. (4)Great is my freedom of speech to you, great is my glorying over you: I am filled with consolation, I overflow with joy in all our tribulation.
(5)For when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side; without were fightings; within were fears. (6)But G.o.d that comforteth the lowly comforted us by the coming of t.i.tus: (7)and not by his coming only, but also by the consolation wherewith he had been comforted among you, declaring to us your fervent desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced the more.
(8)For if I grieved you by a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that this letter made you sorry, though but for a season. (9)Now I rejoice, not that ye have been made sorrowful, but that ye have sorrowed unto repentance; for ye have been made sorry in a G.o.dly manner, that ye might receive damage from us in nothing. (10)For sorrow of a G.o.dly sort worketh repentance unto salvation never to be repented of, but worldly sorrow worketh death. (11)For behold this very thing, that ye were made sorry after a G.o.dly manner, how great diligence did it produce in you! yea, what apologizing! yea, what indignation! yea, what fear! yea, what earnest desire! yea, what zeal!
yea, what vengeance! In every step ye have approved yourselves as pure in this affair.
(12)And indeed though I wrote unto you, I did it not _merely_ for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause who had suffered the injury, but that our diligent attention for you might be more abundantly manifested to you in the presence of G.o.d. (13)Therefore we were comforted in your consolation; and exceeding abundantly the more rejoiced we in the joy of t.i.tus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all. (14)For if I have boasted of you to him in any thing, I am not ashamed; but as we have spoken all things to you in truth, so our boasting of you to t.i.tus hath been found truth. (15)And his bowels more abundantly yearn over you, when he remembers the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him. (16)I rejoice therefore that in every thing I have confidence in you.
CHAP. VIII.
NOW we inform you, brethren, of the grace of G.o.d which hath been bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; (2)that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy, and their deep poverty, hath more abounded to the riches of their liberality. (3)For unto their power, I bear them witness, and above their power, they were voluntarily ready _to give_: (4)with much entreaty praying us that we would receive the gift, and _undertake_ the communication of the contribution for the saints. (5)And not _merely_ as we hoped, but gave themselves first to the Lord, and to us according to the will of G.o.d.