After this he left Athens and went to Corinth.

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 ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, read more. and as they practiced the same trade, he stayed with them, and they worked together, for they were tent-makers. Every Sabbath he would preach in the synagogue, and try to convince both Jews and Greeks. By the time Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was absorbed in preaching the message, emphatically assuring the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.

It was while Apollos was in Corinth that Paul, after passing through the interior, reached Ephesus. Finding some disciples there,

It was while Apollos was in Corinth that Paul, after passing through the interior, reached Ephesus. Finding some disciples there,

It was while Apollos was in Corinth that Paul, after passing through the interior, reached Ephesus. Finding some disciples there,

After traveling through those districts and giving the people a great deal of encouragement, he went on to Greece where he stayed for three months. Just as he was going to sail for Syria, the Jews made a plot against him, and he made up his mind to return by way of Macedonia.

where he stayed for three months. Just as he was going to sail for Syria, the Jews made a plot against him, and he made up his mind to return by way of Macedonia.

where he stayed for three months. Just as he was going to sail for Syria, the Jews made a plot against him, and he made up his mind to return by way of Macedonia. He was accompanied by Sopater of Berea, the son of Pyrrhus, Aristarchus and Secundus, from Thessalonica, Gaius of Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus, from Asia.

This is why I have sent Timothy to you. He is a dear child of mine, in the service of the Lord, and one on whom you can depend, and he will help you to keep in mind my methods in the service of Christ Jesus, which I follow everywhere in every church.

Immorality is actually notorious among you, and immorality of a kind unknown even among the heathen??hat a man has taken his father's wife.

Immorality is actually notorious among you, and immorality of a kind unknown even among the heathen??hat a man has taken his father's wife. And can you put on airs, instead of being overwhelmed with grief at having to expel from your number the man who has done this? read more. For my part, though I have been absent from you in person, I have been present with you in spirit, and as thus present I have already passed judgment upon the man who has done this, and meeting with you, in spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus, by the authority of our Lord Jesus I have handed the man over to Satan, for his physical destruction, in order that his spirit may be saved on the Day of the Lord.

I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people??10 not that you are to have nothing whatever to do with the immoral people of the world, any more than with its greedy and grasping people or idolaters, for then you would have to leave the world altogether.

I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people??10 not that you are to have nothing whatever to do with the immoral people of the world, any more than with its greedy and grasping people or idolaters, for then you would have to leave the world altogether.

As to the matters of which you wrote me, it is an excellent thing for a man to remain unmarried.

About food that has been offered to idols, it is true, as you say, that we all have some knowledge on that matter. Knowledge gives people airs; love is what builds up character.

About the collection for God's people, I want you to do as I told the churches of Galatia to do.

I will come to you after passing through Macedonia, for I am going through Macedonia,

If Timothy reaches you, put him at his ease among you, for he is devoted to the Lord's work, just as I am.

And I am glad that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus have come here, for they have made up for your absence. They have cheered my heart, and yours too. You should appreciate such men.

Paul, by God's will an apostle of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to the church of God that is at Corinth, and all God's people all over Greece; God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ bless you and give you peace. read more. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the merciful Father, and the God always ready to comfort! He comforts me in all my trouble, so that I can comfort people who are in any trouble with the comfort with which I myself am comforted by God. For if I have a liberal share of Christ's sufferings, through Christ I have a liberal share of comfort too.

For if I have a liberal share of Christ's sufferings, through Christ I have a liberal share of comfort too. If I am in trouble, it is to bring you comfort and salvation, and if I am comforted, it is for the sake of the comfort which you experience when you steadfastly endure such sufferings as I also have to bear. read more. My hopes for you are unshaken. For I know that just as surely as you share my sufferings, just so surely you will share my comfort. For I do not want you, brothers, to misunderstand the distress that I experienced in Asia, for I was so utterly and unendurably crushed, that I actually despaired of life itself.

For I do not want you, brothers, to misunderstand the distress that I experienced in Asia, for I was so utterly and unendurably crushed, that I actually despaired of life itself.

For I do not want you, brothers, to misunderstand the distress that I experienced in Asia, for I was so utterly and unendurably crushed, that I actually despaired of life itself. Why, I felt in my heart that the end must be death. That was to keep me from relying on myself instead of on God, who can even raise the dead. read more. So deadly was the peril from which he saved me, as he will save me again! It is on him that I have set my hope that he will save me again. You must help me by your prayers, so that many will give thanks to God on my behalf for the blessing granted me in answer to many prayers. For my boast is what my conscience tells me, that my relations to the world and still more to you have been marked by pure motives and godly sincerity, not by worldly shrewdness but by the favor of God.

For my boast is what my conscience tells me, that my relations to the world and still more to you have been marked by pure motives and godly sincerity, not by worldly shrewdness but by the favor of God.

For my boast is what my conscience tells me, that my relations to the world and still more to you have been marked by pure motives and godly sincerity, not by worldly shrewdness but by the favor of God.

It was because I was sure of this that I wanted to come to see you before going anywhere else, to give you a double pleasure; I was going to visit you on my way to Macedonia, and then to come back to you from Macedonia and have you see me off for Judea. read more. Was it vacillating of me to want to do that? Do I make my plans like a worldly man, ready to say "Yes" and "No" in the same breath? As surely as God can be relied on, there has been no equivocation about our message to you.

For I made up my mind not to make you another painful visit.

This is what I said in my letter, so that I might avoid coming and having my feelings hurt by the very people who might have been expected to make me happy, for I felt sure about you all, that what made me happy would make you all happy.

For that individual, this censure by the majority of you is punishment enough, and so you must now turn around and forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by his remorse. read more. So I beg you to restore him to his place in your affections. For that is why I wrote you??o find out how you would stand the test, and see if you would obey me absolutely. When you forgive a man, I forgive him too. For anything I had to forgive has been forgiven on your account, and as in the very presence of Christ,

When you forgive a man, I forgive him too. For anything I had to forgive has been forgiven on your account, and as in the very presence of Christ, to keep Satan from getting the better of us. For we know what he is after.

to keep Satan from getting the better of us. For we know what he is after. When I went to Troas to preach the good news of the Christ there, I found a good opening for the Lord's work,

When I went to Troas to preach the good news of the Christ there, I found a good opening for the Lord's work,

When I went to Troas to preach the good news of the Christ there, I found a good opening for the Lord's work, but my mind could not rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia.

but my mind could not rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia. But thank God! he always leads me in his triumphal train, through Christ, and spreads the perfume of knowledge of him everywhere through me as his censer-bearer.

For God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in my heart, to give me the light of the knowledge of God's glory, that is on the face of Christ. But I have this treasure in a mere ear then jar, to show that its amazing power belongs to God and not to me.

But I have this treasure in a mere ear then jar, to show that its amazing power belongs to God and not to me.

never free from the danger of being put to death like Jesus, so that in my body the life of Jesus also may be seen.

So I never lose heart. Though my outer nature is wasting away, my inner is being renewed every day.

For I know that if this earthly tent that I live in is taken down, God will provide me a building in heaven to live in, not built by human hands but eternal.

For we must all appear in our true characters before the tribunal of the Christ, each to be repaid with good or evil for the life he has lived in the body. It is with this knowledge of what the fear of the Lord means that I appeal to men. My true character is perfectly plain 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 cause to be proud of me, to use in answering men who pride themselves on external advantages and not on sincerity of heart. For if I was out of my senses, as they say, it was between God and me; and if I am in my right mind, it is for your good. It is Christ's love that controls me, for I have become convinced that as one has died for all, all have died,

It is Christ's love that controls me, for I have become convinced that as one has died for all, all have died, and he died for all that those who live might no longer live for themselves, but for him who died for them and rose again.

and he died for all that those who live might no longer live for themselves, but for him who died for them and rose again. So from that time on, I have estimated nobody at what he seemed to be outwardly; even though I once estimated Christ in that way, I no longer do so.

So from that time on, I have estimated nobody at what he seemed to be outwardly; even though I once estimated Christ in that way, I no longer do so. So if anyone is in union with Christ, he is a new being; the old state of things has passed away; there is a new state of things.

So if anyone is in union with Christ, he is a new being; the old state of things has passed away; there is a new state of things. All this comes from God, who through Christ has reconciled me to himself, and has commissioned me to proclaim this reconciliation??19 how God through Christ reconciled the world to himself, refusing to count men's offenses against them, and intrusted me with the message of reconciliation.

All this comes from God, who through Christ has reconciled me to himself, and has commissioned me to proclaim this reconciliation??19 how God through Christ reconciled the world to himself, refusing to count men's offenses against them, and intrusted me with the message of reconciliation.

It is for Christ, therefore, that I am an envoy, seeing that God makes his appeal through me. On Christ's behalf I beg you to be reconciled to God.

It is for Christ, therefore, that I am an envoy, seeing that God makes his appeal through me. On Christ's behalf I beg you to be reconciled to God. He made him who knew nothing of sin to be sin, for our sake, so that through union with him we might become God's uprightness.

He made him who knew nothing of sin to be sin, for our sake, so that through union with him we might become God's uprightness.

As God's fellow-worker, I appeal to you, too, not to accept the favor of God and then waste it.

I put no obstacles in anyone's path, so that no fault may be found with my work.

Do not get into close and incongruous relations with unbelievers. What partnership can uprightness have with iniquity, or what can light have to do with darkness?

So since we have promises like these, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves of everything that can defile body or spirit, and by reverence for God make our consecration complete.

I do not mean this as a reflection upon you, for as I said before, you will always have a place in my heart whether I live or die.

I do not mean this as a reflection upon you, for as I said before, you will always have a place in my heart whether I live or die. I have the greatest confidence in you. I take the greatest pride in you. I am fully comforted. After all my trouble, I am overjoyed. read more. For even when I reached Macedonia, my poor human nature could get no relief??here was trouble at every turn; fighting without, and fear within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted me by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming, but by the comfort you had given him, for he told me how you longed to see me, how sorry you were, and how you took my part, which made me happier still.

and not only by his coming, but by the comfort you had given him, for he told me how you longed to see me, how sorry you were, and how you took my part, which made me happier still. For even if I did hurt your feelings with that letter, I cannot regret it; even if I did regret it, when I saw that the letter had hurt your feelings perhaps for a while,

For even if I did hurt your feelings with that letter, I cannot regret it; even if I did regret it, when I saw that the letter had hurt your feelings perhaps for a while,

For even if I did hurt your feelings with that letter, I cannot regret it; even if I did regret it, when I saw that the letter had hurt your feelings perhaps for a while,

For even if I did hurt your feelings with that letter, I cannot regret it; even if I did regret it, when I saw that the letter had hurt your feelings perhaps for a while, I am glad of it now; not because you had your feelings hurt, but because having them hurt led you to repent, for you took it as God meant you to do, so that you should not lose anything at all through me.

I am glad of it now; not because you had your feelings hurt, but because having them hurt led you to repent, for you took it as God meant you to do, so that you should not lose anything at all through me. For the pain that God approves results in a repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regrets; but the world's pain results in death.

For the pain that God approves results in a repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regrets; but the world's pain results in death. See how earnest this God-given pain has made you! how eager to clear yourselves, how indignant, how alarmed, how eager to see me, how zealous, how avenging! At every point you have proved that you are clear of this matter.

See how earnest this God-given pain has made you! how eager to clear yourselves, how indignant, how alarmed, how eager to see me, how zealous, how avenging! At every point you have proved that you are clear of this matter. So although I did write to you, it was not on account of the offender, nor of the injured man, but in the sight of God to reveal to you your devotion to me.

So although I did write to you, it was not on account of the offender, nor of the injured man, but in the sight of God to reveal to you your devotion to me. That is why I am so comforted. With all my own comfort, I was still more overjoyed at the gladness of Titus, for his mind has been set at rest by you all.

That is why I am so comforted. With all my own comfort, I was still more overjoyed at the gladness of Titus, for his mind has been set at rest by you all. If I did express some pride in you to him, I have had no reason to be ashamed of it, but just as all I said to you was true, my boasting before Titus has also proved true.

If I did express some pride in you to him, I have had no reason to be ashamed of it, but just as all I said to you was true, my boasting before Titus has also proved true. His heart goes out all the more to you, as he recalls how you all obeyed him, and with what reverence and trembling you received him.

His heart goes out all the more to you, as he recalls how you all obeyed him, and with what reverence and trembling you received him. I am glad that I can feel perfect confidence in you.

I am glad that I can feel perfect confidence in you.

I am glad that I can feel perfect confidence in you.

I must tell you, brothers, how the favor of God has been shown in the churches of Macedonia,

I must tell you, brothers, how the favor of God has been shown in the churches of Macedonia,

I must tell you, brothers, how the favor of God has been shown in the churches of Macedonia, for in spite of a severe ordeal of trouble, their extraordinary gladness, combined with their extreme poverty, has overflowed in a wealth of generosity. read more. For they have given to the utmost of their ability, as I can bear them witness, and beyond it, and begged me most earnestly, of their own accord, to let them share in the support of their fellow-Christians. They did far more than I hoped, for first in obedience to God's will, they gave themselves to the Lord, and to me. This has led me to urge Titus to complete the arrangements he had formerly begun among you for this gracious undertaking.

What is more, he has been appointed by the churches to travel with me in the interests of this generous undertaking, which I am superintending to honor the Lord and to show our readiness to help.

for I know how willing you are to help in it; I boast of you for it to the people in Macedonia, telling them that Greece has been ready since last year, and your enthusiasm has been a stimulus to most of them.

So I have thought it necessary to ask these brothers to go on to you ahead of me, to arrange in advance for this gift you have promised, so as to have it ready, like an expression of your good will, not of your avarice. Remember this: The man who sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and the man who sows generously will reap generously. read more. Everyone must give what he has made up his mind to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion; God loves a man who is glad to give. God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance so that you will always have enough for every situation, and ample means for every good enterprise: as the Scripture says, "He scatters his gifts to the poor; His uprightness will never be forgotten." He who supplies the sower with seed and so with bread to eat will supply you with seed, and multiply it and enlarge the harvest of your uprightness. You will grow rich in every way, so that through me you can show perfect liberality that will make men thank God for it. For the rendering of this service does more than supply the wants of God's people; it results in a wealth of thanksgiving to God. The way you stand the test of this service must do honor to God, through your fidelity to what you profess as to the good news of Christ, and through the liberality of your contributions for them and for all others; then they will long for you and pray for you, because of the extraordinary favor God has shown you. Thank God for his indescribable gift!

Thank God for his indescribable gift!

Thank God for his indescribable gift!

I appeal to you personally, by the gentleness and forbearance of Christ??he Paul who is so humble when face to face with you, but so bold in dealing with you when he is far away!

I appeal to you personally, by the gentleness and forbearance of Christ??he Paul who is so humble when face to face with you, but so bold in dealing with you when he is far away!

For they say, "His letters are impressive and telling, but his personal appearance is insignificant and as a speaker he amounts to nothing."

I wish you would put up with a little folly from me. Do put up with it!

If they are Hebrews, so am I! If they are Israelites, so am I! If they are descended from Abraham, so am I! If they are Christian workers?? am talking like a madman!?? am a better one! with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, vastly worse beatings, and in frequent danger of death. read more. Five times I have been given one less than forty lashes, by the Jews. I have been beaten three times by the Romans, I have been stoned once, I have been shipwrecked three times, a night and a day I have been adrift at sea; with my frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from the heathen, danger in the city, danger in the desert, danger at sea, danger from false brothers, through toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, through hunger and thirst, often without food, and exposed to cold. And besides everything else, the thing that burdens me every day is my anxiety about all the churches.

I have to boast. There is nothing to be gained by it, but I will go on to visions and revelations given me by the Lord.

So to keep me from being too much elated a bitter physical affliction was sent to me, a very messenger of Satan, to harass me, to keep me from being too much elated.

So to keep me from being too much elated a bitter physical affliction was sent to me, a very messenger of Satan, to harass me, to keep me from being too much elated. Three times I have prayed to the Lord about this, begging that it might leave me, read more. and he said to me, "My favor is enough for you, for only where there is weakness is perfect strength developed." So I am perfectly willing to boast of all my weakness, so that the strength of Christ may shelter me.

Here it is the third time that I have been ready to come to see you, and I do not intend to be a burden to you now; for it is not your money but yourselves that I want; for children are not expected to lay up money for their parents, but parents for their children.

Yet did I make anything out of you by anybody that I sent to you? I asked Titus to go and I sent his brother with him. Did Titus make anything out of you? Did not he and I act in the same spirit, and take the very same steps?

I asked Titus to go and I sent his brother with him. Did Titus make anything out of you? Did not he and I act in the same spirit, and take the very same steps? Have you been supposing all along that it is before you I have been defending myself? It is in the sight of God and as a follower of Christ that I have been speaking. But it is all to do you good, dear friends,

Have you been supposing all along that it is before you I have been defending myself? It is in the sight of God and as a follower of Christ that I have been speaking. But it is all to do you good, dear friends, for I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I want to find you, and that you may find me not as you want to find me. I am afraid that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, bad feeling, rivalry, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder, read more. and that when I come back my God may humiliate me before you, and I may have to mourn over many who have kept on in their old sins and have never repented of the impurity, immorality, and sensuality in which they have indulged.

and that when I come back my God may humiliate me before you, and I may have to mourn over many who have kept on in their old sins and have never repented of the impurity, immorality, and sensuality in which they have indulged.

This will be my third visit to you. Any charge must be sustained by the evidence of two or three witnesses.

This will be my third visit to you. Any charge must be sustained by the evidence of two or three witnesses.

That is why I write this while I am away from you, so that when I come, I may not have to be harsh in my use of the authority the Lord has given me, for it was to build you up, not to pull you down.

That is why I write this while I am away from you, so that when I come, I may not have to be harsh in my use of the authority the Lord has given me, for it was to build you up, not to pull you down.

That is why I write this while I am away from you, so that when I come, I may not have to be harsh in my use of the authority the Lord has given me, for it was to build you up, not to pull you down. Now brothers, goodbye! Be what you ought to be, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace, and God the source of love and peace will be with you. read more. Greet one another with a sacred kiss. All God's people wish to be remembered to you. The blessing of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the participation in the holy Spirit be with you all.

and you will thank the Father who has entitled you to share the lot of God's people in the realm of light.