In this Epistle St. Paul comforts those who are now
reformed by his admonitions to them in the former and
absolves the incestuous man on doing penance, whom he had
before excommunicated for his crime. Hence he treats of
true penance and of the dignity of the ministers of the New
Testament. He cautions the faithful against false teachers
and the society of infidels. He gives an account of his
sufferings and also of the favours and graces which God
hath bestowed on him. This second Epistle was written in
the same year with the first and sent by Titus from some
place in Macedonia.
2 Corinthians Chapter 1
He speaks of his troubles in Asia. His not coming to them
was not out of levity. The constancy and sincerity of his
doctrine.
1:1. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,
and Timothy our brother: to the church of God that is at
Corinth, with all the saints that are in all Achaia:
1:2. Grace unto you and peace from God our Father and from
the Lord Jesus Christ.
1:3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort:
1:4. Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we also
may be able to comfort them who are in all distress, by the
exhortation wherewith we also are exhorted by God.
1:5. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us: so also
by Christ doth our comfort abound.
1:6. Now whether we be in tribulation, it is for your
exhortation and salvation: or whether we be comforted, it
is for your consolation: or whether we be exhorted, it is
for your exhortation and salvation, which worketh the
enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer.
1:7. That our hope for you may be steadfast: knowing that
as you are partakers of the sufferings, so shall you be
also of the consolation.
1:8. For we would not have you ignorant, brethren, of our
tribulation which came to us in Asia: that we were pressed
out of measure above our strength, so that we were weary
even of life.
1:9. But we had in ourselves the answer of death, that we
should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raiseth the
dead.
1:10. Who hath delivered and doth deliver us out of so
great dangers: in whom we trust that he will yet also
deliver us,
1:11. You helping withal in prayer for us. That for this
gift obtained for us, by the means of many persons, thanks
may be given by many in our behalf.
1:12. For our glory is this: the testimony of our
conscience, that in simplicity of heart and sincerity of
God, and not in carnal wisdom, but in the grace of God, we
have conversed in this world: and more abundantly towards
you.
1:13. For we write no other things to you than what you
have read and known. And I hope that you shall know unto
the end.
1:14. As also you have known us in part, that we are your
glory: as you also are ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
1:15. And in this confidence I had a mind to come to you
before, that you might have a second grace:
1:16. And to pass by you into Macedonia: and again from
Macedonia to come to you, and by you to be brought on my
way towards Judea.
1:17. Whereas then I was thus minded, did I use lightness?
Or, the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to
the flesh, that there should be with me, It is, and It is
not?
1:18. But God is faithful: for our preaching which was to
you, was not, It is, and It is not.
1:19. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached
among you by us, by me and Sylvanus and Timothy, was not:
It is and It is not. But, It is, was in him.
It is, was in him... There was no inconstancy in the
doctrine of the apostles, sometimes, like modern sectaries,
saying, It is, and at other times saying, It is not. But
their doctrine was ever the same, one uniform yea, in Jesus
Christ, one Amen, that is, one truth in him.
1:20. For all the promises of God are in him, It is.
Therefore also by him, amen to God, unto our glory.
1:21. Now he that confirmeth us with you in Christ and that
hath anointed us, is God:
1:22. Who also hath sealed us and given the pledge of the
Spirit in our hearts.
1:23. But I call God to witness upon my soul that to spare
you, I came not any more to Corinth: not because we
exercise dominion over your faith: but we are helpers of
your joy. For in faith you stand.
2 Corinthians Chapter 2
He grants a pardon to the incestuous man upon his doing
penance.
2:1. But I determined this with myself, to come to you
again in sorrow.
2:2. For if I make you sorrowful, who is he then that can
make me glad, but the same who is made sorrowful by me?
2:3. And I wrote this same to you: that I may not, when I
come, have sorrow upon sorrow from them of whom I ought to
rejoice: having confidence in you all, that my joy is the
joy of you all.
2:4. For out of much affliction and anguish of heart, I
wrote to you with many tears: not that you should be made
sorrowful: but that you might know the charity I have more
abundantly towards you.
2:5. And if any one have caused grief, he hath not grieved
me: but in part, that I may not burden you all.
2:6. To him who is such a one, this rebuke is sufficient,
which is given by many.
2:7. So that on the contrary, you should rather forgive him
and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up
with overmuch sorrow.
2:8. Wherefore, I beseech you that you would confirm your
charity towards him.
2:9. For to this end also did I write, that I may know the
experiment of you, whether you be obedient in all things.
2:10. And to whom you have pardoned any thing, I also. For,
what I have pardoned, if I have pardoned any thing, for
your sakes have I done it in the person of Christ:
I also... The apostle here granted an indulgence, or
pardon, in the person and by the authority of Christ, to
the incestuous Corinthian, whom before he had put under
penance, which pardon consisted in a releasing of part of
the temporal punishment due to his sin.
2:11. That we be not overreached by Satan. For we are not
ignorant of his devices.
2:12. And when I was come to Troas for the gospel of Christ
and a door was opened unto me in the Lord,
2:13. I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus
my brother: but bidding them farewell, I went into
Macedonia.
2:14. Now thanks be to God, who always maketh us to triumph
in Christ Jesus and manifesteth the odour of his knowledge
by us in every place.
2:15. For we are the good odour of Christ unto God, in them
that are saved and in them that perish.
2:16. To the one indeed the odour of death unto death: but
to the others the odour of life unto life. And for these
things who is so sufficient?
The odour of death, etc... The preaching of the apostle,
which by its fragrant odour, brought many to life, was to
others, through their own fault, the occasion of death; by
their wilfully opposing and resisting that divine call.
2:17. For we are not as many, adulterating the word of God:
but with sincerity: but as from God, before God, in Christ
we speak.
2 Corinthians Chapter 3
He needs no commendatory letters. The glory of the ministry
of the New Testament.
3:1. Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need
(as some do) epistles of commendation to you, or from you?
3:2. You are our epistle, written in our hearts, which is
known and read by all men:
3:3. Being manifested, that you are the epistle of Christ,
ministered by us, and written: not with ink but with the
Spirit of the living God: not in tables of stone but in the
fleshly tables of the heart.
3:4. And such confidence we have, through Christ, towards
God.
3:5. Not that we are sufficient to think any thing of
ourselves, as of ourselves: but our sufficiency is from
God.
3:6. Who also hath made us fit ministers of the new
testament, not in the letter but in the spirit. For the
letter killeth: but the spirit quickeneth.
The letter... Not rightly understood, and taken without the
spirit.
3:7. Now if the ministration of death, engraven with
letters upon stones, was glorious (so that the children of
Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses, for
the glory of his countenance), which is made void:
3:8. How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather
in glory?
3:9. For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much
more the ministration of justice aboundeth in glory.
3:10. For even that which was glorious in this part was not
glorified by reason of the glory that excelleth.
3:11. For if that which is done away was glorious, much
more that which remaineth is in glory.
3:12. Having therefore such hope, we use much confidence.
3:13. And not as Moses put a veil upon his face, that the
children of Israel might not steadfastly look on the face
of that which is made void.
3:14. But their senses were made dull. For, until this
present day, the selfsame veil, in the reading of the old
testament, remaineth not taken away (because in Christ it
is made void).
3:15. But even until this day, when Moses is read, the veil
is upon their heart.
3:16. But when they shall be converted to the Lord, the
veil shall be taken away.
3:17. Now the Lord is a Spirit. And where the Spirit of the
Lord is, there is liberty.
3:18. But we all, beholding the glory of the Lord with open
face, are transformed into the same image from glory to
glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord.
2 Corinthians Chapter 4
The sincerity of his preaching. His comfort in his
afflictions.
4:1. Therefore seeing we have this ministration, according
as we have obtained mercy, we faint not.
4:2. But we renounce the hidden things of dishonesty, not
walking in craftiness nor adulterating the word of God: but
by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every
man's conscience, in the sight of God.
4:3. And if our gospel be also hid, it is hid to them that
are lost,
4:4. In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds
of unbelievers, that the light of the gospel of the glory
of Christ, who is the image of God, should not shine unto
them.
4:5. For we preach not ourselves, but Jesus Christ our
Lord: and ourselves your servants through Jesus.
4:6. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of
darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of
the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Christ
Jesus.
4:7. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the
excellency may be of the power of God and not of us.
4:8. In all things we suffer tribulation: but are not
distressed. We are straitened: but are not destitute.
4:9. We suffer persecution: but are not forsaken. We are
cast down: but we perish not.
4:10. Always bearing about in our body the mortification of
Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be made manifest in
our bodies.
4:11. For we who live are always delivered unto death for
Jesus' sake: that the life also of Jesus may be made
manifest in our mortal flesh.
4:12. So then death worketh in us: but life in you.
4:13. But having the same spirit of faith, as it is
written: I believed, for which cause I have spoken; we also
believe. For which cause we speak also:
4:14. Knowing that he who raised up Jesus will raise us up
also with Jesus and place us with you.
4:15. For all things are for your sakes: that the grace,
abounding through many, may abound in thanksgiving unto the
glory of God.
4:16. For which cause we faint not: but though our outward
man is corrupted, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
4:17. For that which is at present momentary and light of
our tribulation worketh for us above measure, exceedingly
an eternal weight of glory.
4:18. While we look not at the things which are seen, but
at the things which are not seen. For the things which are
seen are temporal: but the things which are not seen, are
eternal.
2 Corinthians Chapter 5
He is willing to leave his earthly mansion to be with the
Lord. His charity to the Corinthians.
5:1. For we know, if our earthly house of this habitation
be dissolved, that we have a building of God, a house not
made with hands, eternal in heaven.
5:2. For in this also we groan, desiring to be clothed upon
with our habitation that is from heaven.
5:3. Yet so that we be found clothed, not naked.
5:4. For we also, who are in this tabernacle, do groan,
being burthened; because we would not be unclothed, but
clothed upon, that that which is mortal may be swallowed up
by life.
5:5. Now he that maketh us for this very thing is God, who
hath given us the pledge of the Spirit,
5:6. Therefore having always confidence, knowing that while
we are in the body we are absent from the Lord.
5:7. (For we walk by faith and not by sight.)
5:8. But we are confident and have a good will to be absent
rather from the body and to be present with the Lord.
5:9. And therefore we labour, whether absent or present, to
please him.
5:10. For we must all be manifested before the judgment
seat of Christ, that every one may receive the proper
things of the body, according as he hath done, whether it
be good or evil.
The proper things of the body... In the particular
judgment, immediately after death, the soul is rewarded or
punished according to what it has done in the body.
5:11. Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we use
persuasion to men: but to God we are manifest. And I trust
also that in your consciences we are manifest.
5:12. We commend not ourselves again to you, but give you
occasion to glory in our behalf: that you may have somewhat
to answer them who glory in face, and not in heart.
5:13. For whether we be transported in mind, it is to God:
or whether we be sober, it is for you.
5:14. For the charity of Christ presseth us: judging this,
that if one died for all, then all were dead.
5:15. And Christ died for all: that they also who live may
not now live to themselves, but unto him who died for them
and rose again.
5:16. Wherefore henceforth, we know no man according to the
flesh. And if we have known Christ according to the flesh:
but now we know him so no longer.
We know no man according to the flesh... That is, we
consider not any man with regard to his nation, family,
kindred, or other natural qualities or advantages; but only
with relation to Christ, and according to the order of
divine charity, in God, and for God. The apostle adds, that
even with respect to Christ himself, he now no longer
considers him according to the flesh, by taking a
satisfaction in his being his countryman; his affection
being now purified from all such earthly considerations.
5:17. If then any be in Christ a new creature, the old
things are passed away. Behold all things are made new.
5:18. But all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to
himself by Christ and hath given to us the ministry of
reconciliation.
5:19. For God indeed was in Christ, reconciling the world
to himself, not imputing to them their sins. And he hath
placed in us the word of reconciliation.
5:20. For Christ therefore we are ambassadors, God as it
were exhorting by us, for Christ, we beseech you, be
reconciled to God.
5:21. Him, who knew no sin, he hath made sin for us: that
we might be made the justice of God in him.
Sin for us... That is, to be a sin offering, a victim for
sin.
2 Corinthians Chapter 6
He exhorts them to a correspondence with God's grace and
not to associate with unbelievers.
6:1. And we helping do exhort you that you receive not the
grace of God in vain.
6:2. For he saith: In an accepted time have I heard thee
and in the day of salvation have I helped thee. Behold, now
is the acceptable time: behold, now is the day of
salvation.
6:3. Giving no offence to any man, that our ministry be not
blamed.
6:4. But in all things let us exhibit ourselves as the
ministers of God, in much patience, in tribulation, in
necessities, in distresses,
6:5. In stripes, in prisons, in seditions, in labours, in
watchings, in fastings,
6:6. In chastity, in knowledge, in longsuffering, in
sweetness, in the Holy Ghost, in charity unfeigned,
6:7. In the word of truth, in the power of God: by the
armour of justice on the right hand and on the left:
6:8. By honour and dishonour: by evil report and good
report: as deceivers and yet true: as unknown and yet
known:
6:9. As dying and behold we live: as chastised and not
killed:
6:10. As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing: as needy, yet
enriching many: as having nothing and possessing all
things.
6:11. Our mouth is open to you, O ye Corinthians: our heart
is enlarged.
6:12. You are not straitened in us: but in your own bowels
you are straitened.
6:13. But having the same recompense (I speak as to my
children): be you also enlarged.
6:14. Bear not the yoke with unbelievers. For what
participation hath justice with injustice? Or what
fellowship hath light with darkness?
6:15. And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what
part hath the faithful with the unbeliever?
6:16. And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?
For you are the temple of the living God: as God saith: I
will dwell in them and walk among them. And I will be their
God: and they shall be my people.
6:17. Wherefore: Go out from among them and be ye separate,
saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing:
6:18. And I will receive you. And will be a Father to you:
and you shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord
Almighty.
2 Corinthians Chapter 7
The apostle's affection for the Corinthians. His comfort
and joy on their account.
7:1. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let
us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of the flesh and
of the spirit, perfecting sanctification in the fear of
God.
7:2. Receive us. We have injured no man: we have corrupted
no man: we have overreached no man.
7:3. I speak not this to your condemnation. For we have
said before that you are in our hearts: to die together and
to live together.
7:4. Great is my confidence for you: great is my glorying
for you. I am filled with comfort: I exceedingly abound
with joy in all our tribulation.
7:5. For also, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh
had no rest: but we suffered all tribulation. Combats
without: fears within.
7:6. But God, who comforteth the humble, comforted us by
the coming of Titus.
7:7. And not by his coming only, but also by the
consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, relating to
us your desire, your mourning, your zeal for me: so that I
rejoiced the more.
7:8. For although I made you sorrowful by my epistle, I do
not repent. And if I did repent, seeing that the same
epistle (although but for a time) did make you sorrowful,
7:9. Now I am glad: not because you were made sorrowful,
but because you were made sorrowful unto penance. For you
were made sorrowful according to God, that you might suffer
damage by us in nothing.
7:10. For the sorrow that is according to God worketh
penance, steadfast unto salvation: but the sorrow of the
world worketh death.
7:11. For behold this selfsame thing, that you were made
sorrowful according to God, how great carefulness it
worketh in you: yea defence, yea indignation, yea fear, yea
desire, yea zeal, yea revenge. In all things you have
shewed yourselves to be undefiled in the matter.
7:12. Wherefore although I wrote to you, it was not for his
sake that did the wrong, nor for him that suffered it: but
to manifest our carefulness that we have for you
7:13. Before God: therefore we were comforted. But in our
consolation we did the more abundantly rejoice for the joy
of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.
7:14. And if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I have
not been put to shame: but as we have spoken all things to
you in truth, so also our boasting that was made to Titus
is found a truth.
7:15. And his bowels are more abundantly towards you:
remembering the obedience of you all, how with fear and
trembling you received him.
7:16. I rejoice that in all things I have confidence in
you.
2 Corinthians Chapter 8
He exhorts them to contribute bountifully to relieve the
poor of Jerusalem.
8:1. Now we make known unto you, brethren, the grace of God
that hath been given in the churches of Macedonia.
8:2. That in much experience of tribulation, they have had
abundance of joy and their very deep poverty hath abounded
unto the riches of their simplicity.
Simplicity... That is, sincere bounty and charity.
8:3. For according to their power (I bear them witness) and
beyond their power, they were willing:
8:4. With much entreaty begging of us the grace and
communication of the ministry that is done toward the
saints.
8:5. And not as we hoped: but they gave their own selves,
first to the Lord, then to us by the will of God;
8:6. Insomuch, that we desired Titus, that, as he had
begun, so also he would finish among you this same grace.
8:7. That as in all things you abound in faith and word and
knowledge and all carefulness, moreover also in your
charity towards us: so in this grace also you may abound.
8:8. I speak not as commanding: but by the carefulness of
others, approving also the good disposition of your
charity.
8:9. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that
being rich he became poor for your sakes: that through his
poverty you might be rich.
8:10. And herein I give my advice: for this is profitable
for you who have begun not only to do but also to be
willing, a year ago.
8:11. Now therefore perform ye it also in deed: that as
your mind is forward to be willing, so it may be also to
perform, out of that which you have.
8:12. For if the will be forward, it is accepted according
to that which a man hath: not according to that which he
hath not.
8:13. For I mean not that others should be eased and you
burdened, but by an equality.
8:14. In this present time let your abundance supply their
want, that their abundance also may supply your want: that
there may be an equality,
8:15. As it is written: He that had much had nothing over;
and he that had little had no want.
8:16. And thanks be to God, who hath given the same
carefulness for you in the heart of Titus.
8:17. For indeed he accepted the exhortation: but, being
more careful, of his own will he went unto you.
8:18. We have sent also with him the brother whose praise
is in the gospel through all the churches.
8:19. And not that only: but he was also ordained by the
churches companion of our travels, for this grace, which is
administered by us, to the glory of the Lord and our
determined will:
8:20. Avoiding this, lest any man should blame us in this
abundance which is administered by us.
8:21. For we forecast what may be good, not only before God
but also before men.
8:22. And we have sent with them our brother also, whom we
have often proved diligent in many things, but now much
more diligent: with much confidence in you,
8:23. Either for Titus, who is my companion and fellow
labourer towards you, or our brethren, the apostles of the
churches, the glory of Christ.
8:24. Wherefore shew ye to them, in the sight of the
churches, the evidence of your charity and of our boasting
on your behalf.
2 Corinthians Chapter 9
A further exhortation to almsgiving. The fruits of it.
9:1. For concerning the ministry that is done towards the
saints, it is superfluous for me to write unto you.
9:2. For I know your forward mind: for which I boast of you
to the Macedonians, that Achaia also is ready from the year
past. And your emulation hath provoked very many.
9:3. Now I have sent the brethren, that the thing which we
boast of concerning you be not made void in this behalf,
that (as I have said) you may be ready:
9:4. Lest, when the Macedonians shall come with me and find
you unprepared, we (not to say ye) should be ashamed in
this matter.
9:5. Therefore I thought it necessary to desire the
brethren that they would go to you before and prepare this
blessing before promised, to be ready, so as a blessing,
not as covetousness.
9:6. Now this I say: He who soweth sparingly shall also
reap sparingly: and he who soweth in blessings shall also
reap blessings.
9:7. Every one as he hath determined in his heart, not with
sadness or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
9:8. And God is able to make all grace abound in you: that
ye always, having all sufficiently in all things, may
abound to every good work,
9:9. As it is written: He hath dispersed abroad, he hath
given to the poor: his justice remaineth for ever.
9:10. And he that ministereth seed to the sower will both
give you bread to eat and will multiply your seed and
increase the growth of the fruits of your justice:
9:11. That being enriched in all things, you may abound
unto all simplicity which worketh through us thanksgiving
to God.
9:12. Because the administration of this office doth not
only supply the want of the saints, but aboundeth also by
many thanksgivings in the Lord.
9:13. By the proof of this ministry, glorifying God for the
obedience of your confession unto the gospel of Christ and
for the simplicity of your communicating unto them and unto
all.
9:14. And in their praying for you, being desirous of you,
because of the excellent grace of God in you.
9:15. Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.
2 Corinthians Chapter 10
To stop the calumny and boasting of false apostles, he set
forth the power of his apostleship.
10:1. Now I Paul, myself beseech you, by the mildness and
modesty of Christ: who in presence indeed am lowly among
you, but being absent am bold toward you.
10:2. But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am
present with that confidence wherewith I am thought to be
bold, against some who reckon us as if we walked according
to the flesh.
10:3. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war
according to the flesh.
10:4. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but
mighty to God, unto the pulling down of fortifications,
destroying counsels,
10:5. And every height that exalteth itself against the
knowledge of God: and bringing into captivity every
understanding unto the obedience of Christ:
10:6. And having in readiness to revenge all disobedience,
when your obedience shall be fulfilled.
10:7. See the things that are according to outward
appearance. If any man trust to himself, that he is
Christ's let him think this again with himself, that as he
is Christ's, so are we also.
10:8. For if also I should boast somewhat more of our
power, which the Lord hath given us unto edification and
not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed.
10:9. But that I may not be thought as it were to terrify
you by epistles,
10:10. (For his epistles indeed, say they, are weighty and
strong; but his bodily presence is weak and his speech
contemptible):
10:11. Let such a one think this, that such as we are in
word by epistles when absent, such also we will be indeed
when present.
10:12. For we dare not match or compare ourselves with some
that commend themselves: but we measure ourselves by
ourselves and compare ourselves with ourselves.
10:13. But we will not glory beyond our measure: but
according to the measure of the rule which God hath
measured to us, a measure to reach even unto you.
10:14. For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as
if we reached not unto you. For we are come as far as to
you in the Gospel of Christ.
10:15. Not glorying beyond measure in other men's labours:
but having hope of your increasing faith, to be magnified
in you according to our rule abundantly.
10:16. Yea, unto those places that are beyond you to preach
the gospel: not to glory in another man's rule, in those
things that are made ready to our hand.
10:17. But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
10:18. For not he who commendeth himself is approved: but
he, whom God commendeth.
2 Corinthians Chapter 11
He is forced to commend himself and his labours, lest the
Corinthians should be imposed upon by the false apostles.
11:1. Would to God you could bear with some little of my
folly! But do bear with me.
My folly... So he calls his reciting his own praises,
which, commonly speaking is looked upon as a piece of folly
and vanity; though the apostle was constrained to do it,
for the good of the souls committed to his charge.
11:2. For I am jealous of you with the jealousy of God. For
I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you
as a chaste virgin to Christ.
11:3. But I fear lest, as the serpent seduced Eve by his
subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted and fall from
the simplicity that is in Christ.
11:4. For if he that cometh preacheth another Christ, whom
we have not preached; or if you receive another Spirit,
whom you have not received; or another gospel, which you
have not received: you might well bear with him.
11:5. For I suppose that I have done nothing less than the
great apostles.
11:6. For although I be rude in speech, yet not in
knowledge: but in all things we have been made manifest to
you.
11:7. Or did I commit a fault, humbling myself that you
might be exalted, because I preached unto you the Gospel of
God freely?
11:8. I have taken from other churches, receiving wages of
them for your ministry.
11:9. And, when I was present with you and wanted, I was
chargeable to no man: for that which was wanting to me, the
brethren supplied who came from Macedonia. And in all
things I have kept myself from being burthensome to you:
and so I will keep myself.
11:10. The truth of Christ is in me, that this glorying
shall not be broken off in me in the regions of Achaia.
11:11. Wherefore? Because I love you not? God knoweth it.
11:12. But what I do, that I will do: that I may cut off
the occasion from them that desire occasion: that wherein
they glory, they may be found even as we.
11:13. For such false apostles are deceitful workmen,
transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
11:14. And no wonder: for Satan himself transformeth
himself into an angel of light.
11:15. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers be
transformed as the ministers of justice, whose end shall be
according to their works.
11:16. I say again (Let no man think me to be foolish:
otherwise take me as one foolish, that I also may glory a
little):
11:17. That which I speak, I speak not according to God:
but as it were in foolishness, in this matter of glorying.
11:18. Seeing that many glory according to the flesh, I
will glory also.
11:19. For you gladly suffer the foolish: whereas
yourselves are wise.
11:20. For you suffer if a man bring you into bondage, if a
man devour you, if a man take from you, if a man be lifted
up, if a man strike you on the face.
11:21. I seek according to dishonour, as if we had been
weak in this part. Wherein if any man dare (I speak
foolishly), I dare also.
11:22. They are Hebrews: so am I. They are Israelites: so
am I. They are the seed of Abraham: so am I.
11:23. They are the ministers of Christ (I speak as one
less wise): I am more; in many more labours, in prisons
more frequently, in stripes above measure, in deaths often.
11:24. Of the Jews five times did I receive forty stripes
save one.
11:25. Thrice was I beaten with rods: once I was stoned:
thrice I suffered shipwreck: a night and a day I was in the
depth of the sea.
11:26. In journeying often, in perils of waters, in perils
of robbers, in perils from my own nation, in perils from
the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the
wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils from false
brethren:
11:27. In labour and painfulness, in much watchings, in
hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and
nakedness:
11:28. Besides those things which are without: my daily
instance, the solicitude for all the churches.
My daily instance... The labours that come in, and press
upon me every day.
11:29. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is scandalized,
and I am not on fire?
11:30. If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things
that concern my infirmity.
11:31. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is
blessed for ever, knoweth that I lie not.
11:32. At Damascus, the governor of the nation under Aretas
the king, guarded the city of the Damascenes, to apprehend
me.
11:33. And through a window in a basket was I let down by
the wall: and so escaped his hands.
2 Corinthians Chapter 12
His raptures and revelations, His being buffeted by Satan.
His fear for the Corinthians.
12:1. If I must glory (it is not expedient indeed) but I
will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
12:2. I know a man in Christ: above fourteen years ago
(whether in the body, I know not, or out of the body, I
know not: God knoweth), such a one caught up to the third
heaven.
12:3. And I know such a man (whether in the body, or out of
the body, I know not: God knoweth):
12:4. That he was caught up into paradise and heard secret
words which it is not granted to man to utter.
12:5. For such an one I will glory: but for myself I will
glory nothing but in my infirmities.
12:6. For though I should have a mind to glory, I shall not
be foolish: for I will say the truth. But I forbear, lest
any man should think of me above that which he seeth in me,
or any thing he heareth from me.
12:7. And lest the greatness of the revelations should
exalt me, there was given me a sting of my flesh, an angel
of Satan, to buffet me.
12:8. For which thing, thrice I besought the Lord that it
might depart from me.
12:9. And he said to me: My grace is sufficient for thee:
for power is made perfect in infirmity. Gladly therefore
will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ
may dwell in me.
Power is made perfect... The strength and power of God more
perfectly shines forth in our weakness and infirmity; as
the more weak we are of ourselves, the more illustrious is
his grace in supporting us, and giving us the victory under
all trials and conflicts.
12:10. For which cause I please myself in my infirmities,
in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in
distresses, for Christ. For when I am weak, then am I
powerful.
12:11. I am become foolish. You have compelled me: for I
ought to have been commended by you. For I have no way come
short of them that are above measure apostles, although I
be nothing.
12:12. Yet the signs of my apostleship have been wrought on
you, in all patience, in signs and wonders and mighty
deeds.
12:13. For what is there that you have had less than the
other churches but that I myself was not burthensome to
you? Pardon me this injury.
12:14. Behold now the third time I am ready to come to you
and I will not be burthensome unto you. For I seek not the
things that are yours, but you. For neither ought the
children to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the
children.
12:15. But I most gladly will spend and be spent myself for
your souls: although loving you more, I be loved less.
12:16. But be it so: I did not burthen you: but being
crafty, I caught you by guile.
12:17. Did I overreach you by any of them whom I sent to
you?
12:18. I desired Titus: and I sent with him a brother. Did
Titus overreach you? Did we not walk with the same spirit?
Did we not in the same steps?
12:19. Of old, think you that we excuse ourselves to you?
We speak before God in Christ: but all things, my dearly
beloved, for your edification.
12:20. For I fear lest perhaps, when I come, I shall not
find you such as I would, and that I shall be found by you
such as you would not. Lest perhaps contentions, envyings,
animosities, dissensions, detractions, whisperings,
swellings, seditions, be among you.
12:21. Lest again, when I come, God humble me among you:
and I mourn many of them that sinned before and have not
done penance for the uncleanness and fornication and
lasciviousness that they have committed.
2 Corinthians Chapter 13
He threatens the impenitent, to provoke them to penance.
13:1. Behold, this is the third time I am coming to you: In
the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word stand.
13:2. I have told before and foretell, as present and now
absent, to them that sinned before and to all the rest,
that if I come again, I will not spare.
13:3. Do you seek a proof of Christ that speaketh in me,
who towards you is not weak, but is mighty in you?
13:4. For although he was crucified through weakness, yet
he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him:
but we shall live with him by the power of God towards you.
13:5. Try your own selves if you be in the faith: prove ye
yourselves. Know you not your own selves, that Christ Jesus
is in you, unless perhaps you be reprobates?
13:6. But I trust that you shall know that we are not
reprobates.
13:7. Now we pray God that you may do no evil, not that we
may appear approved, but that you may do that which is good
and that we may be as reprobates.
Reprobates... that is, without proof, by having no occasion
of shewing our power in punishing you.
13:8. For we can do nothing against the truth: but for the
truth.
13:9. For we rejoice that we are weak and you are strong.
This also we pray for, your perfection.
13:10. Therefore I write these things, being absent, that,
being present, I may not deal more severely, according to
the power which the Lord hath given me unto edification and
not unto destruction.
13:11. For the rest, brethren, rejoice, be perfect, take
exhortation, be of one mind, have peace. And the God of
grace and of love shall be with you.
13:12. Salute one another with a holy kiss. All the saints
salute you.
13:13. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the charity
of God and the communication of the Holy Ghost be with you
all. Amen.
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