Reference: Corinthians, Second Epistle To
Hastings
CORINTHIANS, SECOND EPISTLE TO
1. Circumstances of the Epistle.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
After this he left Athens and went to Corinth. There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had issued an edict for all Jews to leave Rome. So Paul paid them a visit, read more. and as they all had the same trade, they proceeded to work together. Every sabbath it was Paul's habit to preach in the synagogue and to persuade both Jews and Greeks. By the time Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was wholly absorbed in preaching the message and was enthusiastically assuring the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.
It was while Apollos was in Corinth that Paul, by passing through the inland districts, came to Ephesus. He found a few disciples there
It was while Apollos was in Corinth that Paul, by passing through the inland districts, came to Ephesus. He found a few disciples there
It was while Apollos was in Corinth that Paul, by passing through the inland districts, came to Ephesus. He found a few disciples there
He passed through those districts and by continuing to talk to them encouraged the people. He then went on to Greece where he stayed three months. Just as he was about to sail for Syria, he changed his mind and returned by way of Macedonia, because a plot against him had been laid by the Jews.
where he stayed three months. Just as he was about to sail for Syria, he changed his mind and returned by way of Macedonia, because a plot against him had been laid by the Jews.
where he stayed three months. Just as he was about to sail for Syria, he changed his mind and returned by way of Macedonia, because a plot against him had been laid by the Jews. He had as companions Sopater, the son of Pyrrhus, from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia.
This is why I have sent Timothy to you. He is a dear child of mine and trustworthy in the Lord's work; he will call to your minds my methods in the work of Christ Jesus, just as I teach them everywhere in every church.
A case of immorality is reported as actually existing among you, an immorality unheard of even among the heathen that a man cohabits with his father's wife.
A case of immorality is reported as actually existing among you, an immorality unheard of even among the heathen that a man cohabits with his father's wife. And yet, you are proud of it, instead of being sorry for it, and seeing to it that the man who has done this be removed from your membership! read more. For my part, though I have been absent from you in person, I have been present with you in spirit, and so as really present, by the authority of our Lord Jesus, I have already passed judgment upon the man who has done this -- for when you met I too met with you in spirit by the power of our Lord Jesus -- to turn such a man as this over to Satan for the destruction of his lower nature, in order that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.
I wrote you in my letter to stop associating with sexually immoral people --
I wrote you in my letter to stop associating with sexually immoral people --
Now I take up the matters about which you wrote me. It may be good thing for a man to remain unmarried;
Now about the foods that have been sacrificed to idols: We know that every one of us has some knowledge of the matter. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.
Now about the contribution for God's people, I want you to do as I directed the churches of Galatia to do.
I will come to see you after I pass through Macedonia -- for I am to pass through Macedonia --
If Timothy gets there, see that he is at ease among you, for he is devotedly doing the work of the Lord, just as I am.
And I am glad that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus have come to see me, because they have supplied what you lacked. Yes, they have cheered my spirit, and yours too. You must deeply appreciate such men.
Paul, by the will of God an apostle of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to the church of God that is at Corinth, with all God's people all over Greece: spiritual blessing and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. read more. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the merciful Father and the all-comforting God, who comforts me in every sorrow I have, so that I can comfort people who are in sorrow with the comfort with which I am comforted by God. For just as my sufferings for Christ are running over the cup, so through Christ my comfort is running over too.
For just as my sufferings for Christ are running over the cup, so through Christ my comfort is running over too. If I am in sorrow, it is on behalf of your comfort and salvation; if I am comforted, it is for the comfort that is experienced by you in your patient endurance of the same sort of sufferings that I am enduring too. read more. My hope for you is well founded; because I know that just as you, brothers, are sharers of my sufferings, so you will be sharers of my comfort too. For I do not want you to be uninformed about the sorrow that I suffered in Asia, because I was so crushed beyond any power to endure that I was in dire despair of life itself.
For I do not want you to be uninformed about the sorrow that I suffered in Asia, because I was so crushed beyond any power to endure that I was in dire despair of life itself.
For I do not want you to be uninformed about the sorrow that I suffered in Asia, because I was so crushed beyond any power to endure that I was in dire despair of life itself. Yes, I felt within my very self the sentence of death, to keep me from depending on myself instead of God who raises the dead. read more. He saved me from a death so horrible, and He will save me again! He it is on whom I have set my hope that He will still save me, because you are helping me by your prayers for me, so that thanks to God will be given by many on my behalf for God's gracious gift to me in answer to the prayers of many. For my boast is this, to which my conscience testifies, that before the world, but especially before you, I have acted from pure motives and in sincerity before God, not depending on worldly wisdom but on God's unmerited favor.
For my boast is this, to which my conscience testifies, that before the world, but especially before you, I have acted from pure motives and in sincerity before God, not depending on worldly wisdom but on God's unmerited favor.
For my boast is this, to which my conscience testifies, that before the world, but especially before you, I have acted from pure motives and in sincerity before God, not depending on worldly wisdom but on God's unmerited favor.
It was because of this confidence that first I planned to visit you, to give you a double delight; that is, to go by you on my way to Macedonia, and then to come back to you from Macedonia, and have you send me on to Judea. read more. Now I did not resort to fickleness, did I, in planning that? Or, do I make my plans in accordance with worldly notions, to have my "Yes" mean "No," if I want it so? As certainly as God is to be trusted, my message to you has not been a "Yes" that might mean "No."
This is the very thing I wrote you, that when I did come I might not be made sad by the very people who ought to make me glad, for I had confidence in you all that my gladness would be gladness to you all.
To a man like that, this censure by the majority has been sufficient punishment, so you must do the opposite, freely forgive and comfort him, to keep him from being overwhelmed by his excessive sadness. read more. So I beg you in your love to reinstate him entirely. For this is why I wrote you, to see if you would stand the test, to see if you would be obedient in everything. The man that you forgive I too forgive. For if I have forgiven him anything, it is what I have forgiven him in the very presence of Christ for your sake,
The man that you forgive I too forgive. For if I have forgiven him anything, it is what I have forgiven him in the very presence of Christ for your sake, to keep us from being worsted by Satan, for we know what his intentions are.
to keep us from being worsted by Satan, for we know what his intentions are. When I went to Troas to preach the good news of Christ, although I had an opportunity in the service of the Lord,
When I went to Troas to preach the good news of Christ, although I had an opportunity in the service of the Lord,
When I went to Troas to preach the good news of Christ, although I had an opportunity in the service of the Lord, I had no rest of spirit, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said goodbye to them and left for Macedonia.
I had no rest of spirit, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said goodbye to them and left for Macedonia. But thanks be to God, for He always leads me in His triumphal train, through union with Christ, and everywhere through me keeps spreading the perfume of the knowledge of Him.
For God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in my heart, to give me the light of the knowledge of God's glory, reflected on the face of Christ. But I am keeping this jewel in an earthen jar, to prove that its surpassing power is God's, not mine.
But I am keeping this jewel in an earthen jar, to prove that its surpassing power is God's, not mine.
always being exposed to death as Jesus was, so that in my body the life of Jesus may be clearly shown.
So I never give up; instead, although my outer nature is wasting away, my inner nature is constantly renewed from day to day.
For I know that if this earthly tent in which I live is taken down, I have a building in heaven which comes from God, a house not built by human hands but eternal.
and yet I am cheerful and confident, but really I prefer to be away from home in the body and to be at home with the Lord.
For we must all appear before the judgment-bar of Christ, that each may get his pay for what he has done, whether it be good or bad. So, since I know what the fear of God can do, I am trying to win men. My inner self is perfectly known to God, and I hope, to your consciences too. read more. I am not trying to recommend myself to you again. I am giving you ground for speaking well of me, that you may have something to say to those who are constantly prating about external privileges and not concerned about the state of the heart. For if I did go crazy, it was for God's glory; and if I am keeping my head cool, it is for your good. For the love of Christ continuously constrains me, because I am convinced that as One died for all, all have died,
For the love of Christ continuously constrains me, because I am convinced that as One died for all, all have died, and He died for all, that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
and He died for all, that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. So from this moment on, I do not estimate anybody by the standard of outward appearances. Although I once did estimate Christ by this standard, I do not do so any longer.
So from this moment on, I do not estimate anybody by the standard of outward appearances. Although I once did estimate Christ by this standard, I do not do so any longer. For if anybody is in union with Christ, he is the work of a new creation; the old condition has passed away, a new condition has come.
For if anybody is in union with Christ, he is the work of a new creation; the old condition has passed away, a new condition has come. This has all originated with God, for He through Christ has reconciled me to Himself and has given me the ministry of reconciliation.
This has all originated with God, for He through Christ has reconciled me to Himself and has given me the ministry of reconciliation. For it was through Christ that God was reconciling the world to Himself instead of debiting men's offenses against them, and He has committed to me the message of this reconciliation.
For it was through Christ that God was reconciling the world to Himself instead of debiting men's offenses against them, and He has committed to me the message of this reconciliation. So I am an envoy to represent Christ, because it is through me that God is making His appeal. As one representing Christ I beg you, be reconciled to God.
So I am an envoy to represent Christ, because it is through me that God is making His appeal. As one representing Christ I beg you, be reconciled to God. He made Him who personally knew nothing of sin to be a sin-offering for us, so that through union with Him we might come into right standing with God.
He made Him who personally knew nothing of sin to be a sin-offering for us, so that through union with Him we might come into right standing with God.
As God's fellow-worker I beg you too not to accept God's favor and throw it away.
To keep my ministry from being found fault with, I am trying not to put a single hindrance in anybody's way.
Stop forming intimate and inconsistent relations with unbelievers. What partnership can right-doing have with law-breaking, or how can light participate with darkness?
So, since we have such promises as these, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles our bodies and spirits, and in reverence to God carry on our consecration to completeness.
I do not mean this for your condemnation, because, as I have said before, you have such a place in my heart that I would live with you or die with you.
I do not mean this for your condemnation, because, as I have said before, you have such a place in my heart that I would live with you or die with you. I have the greatest confidence in you; I speak most highly of you. I am fully comforted; in the face of all my sorrow my cup is running over with joy. read more. For even after I had gotten to Macedonia, my frail, human nature could find no relief; I was crushed with sorrow at every turn -- fighting without and fears within. But God, who comforts the downhearted, comforted me by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but by the comfort he had gotten from you, because he kept on telling me how you were longing to see me, how sorry you were, and how loyal you were to me, so that I was gladder still.
and not only by his coming but by the comfort he had gotten from you, because he kept on telling me how you were longing to see me, how sorry you were, and how loyal you were to me, so that I was gladder still. For, although I did cause you sorrow by that letter, I do not now regret it; although I did regret it then. I see that the letter caused you sorrow only for a time.
For, although I did cause you sorrow by that letter, I do not now regret it; although I did regret it then. I see that the letter caused you sorrow only for a time.
For, although I did cause you sorrow by that letter, I do not now regret it; although I did regret it then. I see that the letter caused you sorrow only for a time.
For, although I did cause you sorrow by that letter, I do not now regret it; although I did regret it then. I see that the letter caused you sorrow only for a time. I am glad of it now, not because you had such sorrow, but because your sorrow led you to repentance, for you took your sorrow in accordance with the will of God, so that you should not suffer any loss at all from me.
I am glad of it now, not because you had such sorrow, but because your sorrow led you to repentance, for you took your sorrow in accordance with the will of God, so that you should not suffer any loss at all from me. For the sorrow that comes in accordance with the will of God results in repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regrets, but the sorrow the world produces results in death.
For the sorrow that comes in accordance with the will of God results in repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regrets, but the sorrow the world produces results in death. For see what this very sorrow, suffered in accordance with the will of God, has done for you! How earnest it has made you, how concerned to clear yourselves, how indignant, how alarmed, how much it made you long to see me, how loyal to me, how determined to punish the offender! At every point you have cleared yourselves in the matter.
For see what this very sorrow, suffered in accordance with the will of God, has done for you! How earnest it has made you, how concerned to clear yourselves, how indignant, how alarmed, how much it made you long to see me, how loyal to me, how determined to punish the offender! At every point you have cleared yourselves in the matter. So, although I did write to you, it was not for the offender's sake, nor for the offended party's sake, but in the sight of God for the sake of having your enthusiasm for me made perfectly clear to you. This is why I am so comforted.
So, although I did write to you, it was not for the offender's sake, nor for the offended party's sake, but in the sight of God for the sake of having your enthusiasm for me made perfectly clear to you. This is why I am so comforted. In addition to my own comfort, I was made so glad that my cup ran over at the gladness Titus felt, because his spirit has been set at rest by you.
In addition to my own comfort, I was made so glad that my cup ran over at the gladness Titus felt, because his spirit has been set at rest by you. Indeed, if I have been doing some boasting of you to him, I have never been ashamed of it; but just as all I said to him was true, so now my boasting before Titus has been shown to be true.
Indeed, if I have been doing some boasting of you to him, I have never been ashamed of it; but just as all I said to him was true, so now my boasting before Titus has been shown to be true. Yes, his heart is running over toward you, as he continues recalling how you all obeyed him, with what reverence and trembling you welcomed him.
Yes, his heart is running over toward you, as he continues recalling how you all obeyed him, with what reverence and trembling you welcomed him. I am glad that I have perfect confidence in you now.
Now I am going to tell you, brothers, of God's spiritual blessing which was given in the churches of Macedonia,
Now I am going to tell you, brothers, of God's spiritual blessing which was given in the churches of Macedonia,
Now I am going to tell you, brothers, of God's spiritual blessing which was given in the churches of Macedonia, because in spite of a terrible test of trouble, the mighty flood of their gladness mingling with the depths of their poverty has overflowed and resulted in the abundance of their liberality. read more. For they have given, I can testify, to the utmost of their ability, and even beyond their ability. Of their own accord, with earnest entreaty, they kept on begging me for the favor of sharing in this service that is being rendered to God's people. They did not do as I expected but even more; they first by God's will gave themselves to the Lord, and then to me; so that I insisted that Titus, as he had formerly commenced it, should bring to completion this gracious contribution among you too.
Not only that, but he has been selected by the churches to travel with me for this gracious contribution which is being raised by me, so that it may turn out for the glory of the Lord and a proof of my readiness to serve.
for I know your readiness to help in it. I am boasting of you about it to the Macedonians, reminding them that Greece has been ready since last year, and your enthusiasm has stimulated the most of them.
So I have thought it necessary to urge these brothers to visit you ahead of me and get your promised love-offering ready beforehand, so as to have it ready as a real love-offering, not as one grasped and grudgingly given. Now this is the way it is: Whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly too, but whoever sows bountifully will reap bountifully too. read more. Each must give what he has purposed in his heart to give, not sorrowfully or under compulsion, for it is the happy giver that God loves. And God is able to make your every spiritual blessing overflow for you, so that you will always have in every situation an entire sufficiency and so overflow for every good cause; as the Scripture says: "He has generously given to the poor; His deeds of charity go on forever." He who always supplies the sower with seed and the eater with bread will supply you with seed and multiply it and enlarge the harvest which your deeds of charity yield. In every way you will grow richer and richer so as to give with perfect liberality, which will through me result in thanksgiving to God for it. Because the service rendered by this sacred offering is not only fully supplying the needs of God's people, but it is also running over with many thanks to God for it. For through the test you get by doing this service you will continue praising God for your fidelity to your confession of the good news of Christ, and for the liberality of your contributions to them and all others; and so in their prayers for you they will continue longing for you, because of God's surpassing favor shown you. Thank God for His unspeakable gift!
Thank God for His unspeakable gift!
Thank God for His unspeakable gift!
Now I appeal to you in person, by the gentleness and fairness of Christ, I, Paul, who am so "condescending when face to face with you, but so courageous toward you when far away!"
Now I appeal to you in person, by the gentleness and fairness of Christ, I, Paul, who am so "condescending when face to face with you, but so courageous toward you when far away!"
For they say, "His letters are impressive and forceful, but his physical personality is unimpressive, and his delivery is perfectly contemptible."
I wish you would now listen to a little folly of mine. Please do listen to me!
Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. Are they ministers of Christ? So am I. I am talking like a man that has gone crazy -- as such I am superior! -- serving Him with labors greater by far, with far more imprisonments, with floggings vastly worse, and often at the point of death. read more. Five times I have taken thirty-nine lashes from the Jews, three times I have been beaten by the Romans, once I was pelted with stones; three times I have been shipwrecked, and once I have spent a day and a night adrift at sea. I have served Him on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my own people, dangers from the heathen, dangers in the city, dangers in the desert, dangers at sea, dangers from false brothers, through toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, through hunger and thirst, through many a fasting season, poorly clad and exposed to cold. Besides all other things, there is my concern for all the churches.
I have to keep on boasting. There is no good to be gotten from it, but I will go on to visions and revelations which the Lord has given me.
So, to keep me from being over-elated, there was sent upon me a physical disease, sharp as a piercing stake, a messenger of Satan, to continue afflicting me, and so to keep me, I repeat, from being over-elated.
So, to keep me from being over-elated, there was sent upon me a physical disease, sharp as a piercing stake, a messenger of Satan, to continue afflicting me, and so to keep me, I repeat, from being over-elated. Three times I begged the Lord about this to make it go away and leave me, read more. but He said to me, "My spiritual strength is sufficient, for it is only by means of conscious weakness that perfect power is developed."
It is now the third time that I have been ready to come to see you, and I will never ask you for financial support, for it is not your money but you yourselves that I want; for children are not by duty bound to lay up money for their parents, but parents for their children.
I did not make any money out of you through anybody that I sent to you, did I? I actually begged Titus to go, and sent the well-known brother with him. Titus did not make any money out of you, did he? Did not he and I act in the same spirit, and take the very same steps?
I actually begged Titus to go, and sent the well-known brother with him. Titus did not make any money out of you, did he? Did not he and I act in the same spirit, and take the very same steps? Are you thinking all this time that I am defending myself to you? It is in the very presence of God and as one who is in union with Christ that I am speaking. And it is all for building you up, beloved, for I am apprehensive that, somehow or other, when I come I shall find you not as I want to find you, and that you may find me not as you want to find me.
Are you thinking all this time that I am defending myself to you? It is in the very presence of God and as one who is in union with Christ that I am speaking. And it is all for building you up, beloved, for I am apprehensive that, somehow or other, when I come I shall find you not as I want to find you, and that you may find me not as you want to find me. I repeat it, I am apprehensive that, somehow or other, there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, rivalries, slanders, gossiping, haughty pride, and disorders, read more. and that when I come back my God may humiliate me before you, and I may have to mourn over some of those who formerly have committed shocking sins, and have not repented for them -- their impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality, which once they practiced.
and that when I come back my God may humiliate me before you, and I may have to mourn over some of those who formerly have committed shocking sins, and have not repented for them -- their impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality, which once they practiced.
This is my third visit to you. Any charge preferred must be sustained by the evidence of two or three witnesses.
This is my third visit to you. Any charge preferred must be sustained by the evidence of two or three witnesses.
This is why I am writing this while far away from you, that when I do come, I may not have to deal harshly with you in accordance with the authority which the Lord has given me, for building you up, not for tearing you down.
This is why I am writing this while far away from you, that when I do come, I may not have to deal harshly with you in accordance with the authority which the Lord has given me, for building you up, not for tearing you down.
This is why I am writing this while far away from you, that when I do come, I may not have to deal harshly with you in accordance with the authority which the Lord has given me, for building you up, not for tearing you down. Finally, brothers, goodbye! Practice the perfecting of your characters, keep listening to my appeals, continue thinking in harmony and living in peace, and the loving, peace-giving God will be with you. read more. Greet one another with a sacred kiss. All God's people wish to be remembered to you. The spiritual blessing of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the common sharing of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
and you will always be thanking the Father who has qualified you to share the lot of His people in the realm of light.