Reference: Corinthians, Second Epistle To
Hastings
CORINTHIANS, SECOND EPISTLE TO
1. Circumstances of the Epistle.
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After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. Here he found a certain 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. read more. Paul came to them, and because he was of the same trade with them, he lodged with them, and worked with them??or by trade they were tentmakers. Every Sabbath he used to preach in the synagogue, and tried to persuade both Jews and Greeks. And when Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was engrossed in his message, earnestly testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah.
Now it happened that while Apollos was in Corinth, Paul, after passing through the hinterland, came to Ephesus, where he found a few disciples.
Now it happened that while Apollos was in Corinth, Paul, after passing through the hinterland, came to Ephesus, where he found a few disciples.
Now it happened that while Apollos was in Corinth, Paul, after passing through the hinterland, came to Ephesus, where he found a few disciples.
And when he had passed through those districts and encouraged the disciples in many addresses, he came into Greece where he spent three months. Just as he was about to set sail for Syria, the Jews laid a plot against him, and he determined to return through Macedonia.
Just as he was about to set sail for Syria, the Jews laid a plot against him, and he determined to return through Macedonia.
Just as he was about to set sail for Syria, the Jews laid a plot against him, and he determined to return through Macedonia. There accompanied him as far as Asia, Sopater of Berea, the son of Pyrrhus; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus.
With this in mind I have sent Timothy to you. He is my dear and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ; the manner in which I ever teach everywhere in every church.
It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and such immorality as is not even among the heathen??hat a man has taken his father's wife!
It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and such immorality as is not even among the heathen??hat a man has taken his father's wife! Yet you are puffed up instead of mourning and removing from among you the man who has done this thing. read more. For I, although absent in body, yet present in spirit, have already passed sentence, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, on him who has done this thing. When you are gathered together, and my spirit is with you together with the power of our Lord Jesus, I have handed over such a man to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, that his spirit may be saved, in the day of the Lord Jesus.
I told you in my letter not to associate with the immoral.
I told you in my letter not to associate with the immoral.
Now concerning the question in your letter. It is well for a man to have no intercourse with a woman,
Now in regard to food which has been offered to idols, we are sure of course that "we all have knowledge." But knowledge puffs up, while love builds up.
Now concerning the offering for the saints, you also are to do as I directed the church of Galatia.
If Timothy come, see to it that he is among you without trepidation; for he is doing the Lord's work, as I am, so let no one disparage him.
I am glad that Stephanus and Fortunatus and Achaicus have arrived, for they have made up for your absence. They refresh my spirit as they do yours. So cultivate the acquaintance of such men.
To the Church of God which is in Corinth, and to all the saints throughout Greece. from Paul, by God's will an apostle of Christ, and from brother Timothy. Grace to you and peace from God our Father in the Lord Jesus Christ. read more. Thanks be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort, who ever comforts me in all my troubles, so that I may be continually able to comfort those who are in any trouble by the comfort with which God is ever comforting me. For just as I have more than my share in the sufferings of the Christ, so also through the Christ I have more than my share of comfort.
For just as I have more than my share in the sufferings of the Christ, so also through the Christ I have more than my share of comfort. If I am afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if I am receiving comfort, it is for your comfort?? comfort produced within you by your patient fortitude, under the same sufferings which I also am enduring. read more. My hope for you is firm; for I know that as you are comrades in my sufferings, so also are you comrades in my comfort. Now, brothers, I want you to know about the troubles which befell me in Asia; how I was burdened altogether beyond my strength, so that I renounced all hope even of life itself.
Now, brothers, I want you to know about the troubles which befell me in Asia; how I was burdened altogether beyond my strength, so that I renounced all hope even of life itself.
Now, brothers, I want you to know about the troubles which befell me in Asia; how I was burdened altogether beyond my strength, so that I renounced all hope even of life itself. Indeed, I had in myself, and still have, the sentence of death, in order that I might not rely on myself, but on God who raises the dead to life. read more. He delivered me from such a death, and will deliver me. On him I have set my hopes that he will continue to deliver me, while all of you also are helping me by your prayers; so that from many lips thanksgiving may rise on my behalf for the blessings vouchsafed to me through the intercessions of many. For this is my proud boast, the testimony of my conscience, that it was in holiness and with pure motives before God, not in worldly wisdom, but in the grace of God, that I have conducted myself in the world, and above all in my relations with you.
For this is my proud boast, the testimony of my conscience, that it was in holiness and with pure motives before God, not in worldly wisdom, but in the grace of God, that I have conducted myself in the world, and above all in my relations with you.
For this is my proud boast, the testimony of my conscience, that it was in holiness and with pure motives before God, not in worldly wisdom, but in the grace of God, that I have conducted myself in the world, and above all in my relations with you.
And in this confidence I intended to visit you, before going elsewhere, that you might have a pleasure twice over. I intended to go by you into Macedonia, and to come again to you from Macedonia, and by you to be sent forward on my way to Judea. read more. In purposing this did I display "caprice"? Or what I purpose do I purpose in a worldly way, so that it may mean either "Yes, yes," or "No, no"? As God is faithful, my message to you is not now "Yes," now "No."
And for this very reason I wrote you, that I might not come only to be grieved by those who ought to give me joy; and because I trusted in you all, that my joy is the joy of all of you.
Sufficient for the offender is the punishment imposed by the majority; so that now you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest he should be overwhelmed by the excess of his grief. read more. So I beg you to reinstate him in your love. For this very purpose also I wrote you (before), that I might test you, to see if you were obedient in every respect. If you forgive the man, I forgive him, too; for whatever I have forgiven has been forgiven in the presence of Christ,
If you forgive the man, I forgive him, too; for whatever I have forgiven has been forgiven in the presence of Christ, for your sakes, that I may not be overreached by Satan, for I am not ignorant of his devices.
for your sakes, that I may not be overreached by Satan, for I am not ignorant of his devices. Now when I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, although a door was opened to me in the Lord,
Now when I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, although a door was opened to me in the Lord,
Now when I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, although a door was opened to me in the Lord, I could get no peace of mind because I failed to find Titus, my brother. So I bade them good-bye and started off for Macedonia.
I could get no peace of mind because I failed to find Titus, my brother. So I bade them good-bye and started off for Macedonia. But thanks be to God, who in every place is leading me in the train of Christ's triumph, and is making manifest through me the knowledge of him, an odor of incense everywhere.
For God who said, "Out of darkness light shall shine," is he who has shone in my heart, that the sunrise of the knowledge of God may shine forth in the face of Christ. But I hold this treasure in an earthen vessel, in order that the surpassing greatness of the power may be from God, and not from myself.
But I hold this treasure in an earthen vessel, in order that the surpassing greatness of the power may be from God, and not from myself.
Wherever I go, I am always carrying about in my body the dying of Jesus, in order that the life also of Jesus may be made manifest in this body of mine.
For this reason, as I have said, I do not lose courage, but even though my outward man is wasting away, my inward man is being renewed, day by day.
For I know, if this earthly tent of mine were struck, I have a mansion built by God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
So I have good courage, and am well pleased rather, to be in banishment from the body and to be at home with the Lord.
For we must all be made manifest, in our true characters, before the Judgment-seat of Christ; so that each one may receive according to that which he has done in his body, whether good or evil. So, because I know the fear of God, I "persuade men." What I am is manifest to God, and I hope manifest also to your conscience. read more. I am not "commending myself to you again," but I am giving you an occasion of boasting on my behalf, so that you may have an answer ready for those who boast in externals, and not in the heart. For if I was "beside myself," it was to God; of if I am now "of sound mind," it is for you. For the love of Christ overmasters me; because I thus judge that if One has died for all, then all have died;
For the love of Christ overmasters me; because I thus judge that if One has died for all, then all have died; and that he died for all in order that the living may live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again for them.
and that he died for all in order that the living may live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again for them. Therefore henceforth I know no one simply as a man??ven if I have known Christ as a man, yet now I do so no longer.
Therefore henceforth I know no one simply as a man??ven if I have known Christ as a man, yet now I do so no longer. So there is a new creation when any man is in Christ. The old life has passed away, behold, the new is come.
So there is a new creation when any man is in Christ. The old life has passed away, behold, the new is come. And all this is from God, who through Christ reconciled me to himself, and gave me the ministry of reconciliation;
And all this is from God, who through Christ reconciled me to himself, and gave me the ministry of reconciliation; how that God was in Christ reconciling a world to himself, not reckoning to men their trespasses; and that to me he has entrusted the message of that reconciliation.
how that God was in Christ reconciling a world to himself, not reckoning to men their trespasses; and that to me he has entrusted the message of that reconciliation. On Christ's behalf, then, I come as ambassador. It is as though God was entreating you, through me, on Christ's behalf I beg you to be reconciled to God.
On Christ's behalf, then, I come as ambassador. It is as though God was entreating you, through me, on Christ's behalf I beg you to be reconciled to God. Him who knew no sin, in our behalf he has made to be sin; so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Him who knew no sin, in our behalf he has made to be sin; so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
As a worker with him I beseech you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
I am giving no one a cause of stumbling in order that my ministry may not be discredited;
Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers; for what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? what communion has light with darkness?
As these promises are ours, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and of spirit, and perfect our holiness in the fear of God.
I am not saying this to blame you, for as I have already said, I hold you in my heart to live together and to die together.
I am not saying this to blame you, for as I have already said, I hold you in my heart to live together and to die together. Great is my faith in you; great is my cheerful assurance in you. I am filled with comfort; in spite of all my troubles, my heart is overflowing with joy. read more. For even after I reached Macedonia, my flesh had no rest, but I was troubled on every hand. Without were fights; within were, fears. But the God who comforts the down-hearted comforted me by the coming of Titus, and not alone by his coming, but also by the comfort you had been to him. For he told me of your eager longing, of your penitence, and of your zeal on my behalf, so that I was happier still.
and not alone by his coming, but also by the comfort you had been to him. For he told me of your eager longing, of your penitence, and of your zeal on my behalf, so that I was happier still. Even if I caused you pain by my letter, I do not regret; though I did regret it when I saw that my letter had caused you pain, even for a time.
Even if I caused you pain by my letter, I do not regret; though I did regret it when I saw that my letter had caused you pain, even for a time.
Even if I caused you pain by my letter, I do not regret; though I did regret it when I saw that my letter had caused you pain, even for a time.
Even if I caused you pain by my letter, I do not regret; though I did regret it when I saw that my letter had caused you pain, even for a time. But now I am glad; not because you were pained; but because your pain led you to repentance.
But now I am glad; not because you were pained; but because your pain led you to repentance. For your pain came from God, and so you took no harm from me. For the pain which is from God works repentance leading to salvation, a repentance never to be regretted. But the world's pain works death.
For your pain came from God, and so you took no harm from me. For the pain which is from God works repentance leading to salvation, a repentance never to be regretted. But the world's pain works death. Note the results of this pain which God permitted; what earnestness it has called forth in you, what explanations, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what fervor, what punishment of wrong. In every way you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter.
Note the results of this pain which God permitted; what earnestness it has called forth in you, what explanations, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what fervor, what punishment of wrong. In every way you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter. So then, even if I did write to you, it was not for the sake of the wrong-doer, or of him who had been wronged, but to make clear to yourselves in the sight of God your earnest care for me.
So then, even if I did write to you, it was not for the sake of the wrong-doer, or of him who had been wronged, but to make clear to yourselves in the sight of God your earnest care for me. This is what comforts me. In addition to this comfort of mine, I have been made still happier by the happiness of Titus; because his spirit was refreshed by you all.
This is what comforts me. In addition to this comfort of mine, I have been made still happier by the happiness of Titus; because his spirit was refreshed by you all. Although I have been boasting a little to him about you, I have not been put to shame. But as in every matter I have spoken the truth to you, so also my boast to Titus has been proved to be the truth.
Although I have been boasting a little to him about you, I have not been put to shame. But as in every matter I have spoken the truth to you, so also my boast to Titus has been proved to be the truth. And his tender affection is all the greater toward you, when he calls to mind the obedience of you all, and the fear and trembling with which you received him.
And his tender affection is all the greater toward you, when he calls to mind the obedience of you all, and the fear and trembling with which you received him. I rejoice that I have complete confidence in you.
Now, brothers, I wish to tell you about the grace of God which has been manifest in the churches of Macedonia.
Now, brothers, I wish to tell you about the grace of God which has been manifest in the churches of Macedonia.
Now, brothers, I wish to tell you about the grace of God which has been manifest in the churches of Macedonia. For although in heavy trial of affliction, their overbrimming happiness, even in spite of their deep poverty, abounded to the opulence of their unselfishness. read more. For I can testify that according to their ability, and even beyond their ability, of their own free will, too, they have given help. With earnest entreaty they craved of me the privilege of a share in ministering to the saints in Jerusalem. And this not as I had expected, but in accordance with the will of God, they first gave themselves to God and to me. With the result that I have been begging Titus that, as he had been the one to begin the work with you, so he should complete among you this grace also.
More than that, he is the one chosen by the churches to accompany me on my journey, in administering this gift of yours for the Lord's glory. And this has my full consent,
for I know how ready you are, and am always boasting about you to the Macedonians, telling them that Greece has been ready for a year past; and your zeal has been a spur to the majority of them.
So I have thought that I must ask these brothers to visit you beforehand, and get your promised contribution ready in advance. I want it to be given of your bounty, not extorted from your covetousness. Mark this; he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. read more. But let each give according to the purpose of his heart; not grudgingly of under compulsion. It is a cheerful giver that God loves. And God is able to give you an overflowing measure of every grace, so that all your wants of every kind may be supplied at all times, and you may give of your abundance to every good work; As it is written. He scattered broadcast, he gave to the poor; His almsgiving continues forever. He who ever supplies seed to the sower, and bread for the food of man, will supply and make plentous your seed, and increase the harvest springing up from your almsgiving. You yourselves will be enriched with all good things, that you may give ungrudgingly; and your gifts, of which I am the agent, will make men give thanks to God. Because the ministry of this contribution not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also overflows in many a thanksgiving to God. For this ministration proves you. On account of it men glorify God for your faithfulness to your professions of the gospel of Christ, and for the liberality of your gifts to them and to all. Moreover, in their prayers for you they will be longing after you, because of the exceeding grace of God that is resting upon you. THANKS BE TO GOD FOR HIS UNSPEAKABLE GIFT!
THANKS BE TO GOD FOR HIS UNSPEAKABLE GIFT!
THANKS BE TO GOD FOR HIS UNSPEAKABLE GIFT!
Now I Paul, myself, appeal to you by the humble-heartedness and selflessness of Christ??aul who "in your presence is humble, but bold enough when he is absent"??2 I beseech you, and I say, do not make me show my boldness, when I come in the boldness with which I think I shall show my courage against some who think that I am walking on the low level of the flesh.
Now I Paul, myself, appeal to you by the humble-heartedness and selflessness of Christ??aul who "in your presence is humble, but bold enough when he is absent"??2 I beseech you, and I say, do not make me show my boldness, when I come in the boldness with which I think I shall show my courage against some who think that I am walking on the low level of the flesh.
"His letters indeed," says one, "are mighty and forcible, but his personality is weak, and his speech contemptible."
Would that you could put up with a little "folly" from me! Nay, do bear with me.
Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they descendants of Israel? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as though I were beside myself), such, far, more, am I; in labors more abundant, in imprisonments also more abundant, in floggings beyond measure, in deaths often. read more. Five times at the hands of the Jews, I have received one short of forty lashes. Three times I have been scourged by the Romans; once I have been stoned; three times have I been shipwrecked; a night and a day have I been adrift in the open sea. My journeys have been many; in perils of rivers, in perils of bandits; in perils from my countrymen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness; in perils on the sea, in perils among false brothers; in toil and weariness, often in sleepless watching, in hunger and thirst, often without anything to eat; in cold and in nakedness. Not to mention other things, there is the crowding pressure of each day upon me, the care of all the churches.
I am forced to boast, though it is unprofitable, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.
It was for this reason, lest I should be over-elated, that there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to buffet me, lest I should be over-elated.
It was for this reason, lest I should be over-elated, that there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to buffet me, lest I should be over-elated. Concerning this, three times over I supplicated the Lord that it might leave me; read more. but he has answered me. "My grace is sufficient for you; it is in weakness that my power is perfected."
And now for the third time I am preparing to visit you. I will not be a burden to you, for I am not seeking yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
Did I make gain of you through any of those whom I sent to you? I urged Titus to go, and with him I sent our brother. Did Titus make gain of you? And did I not walk in the same spirit as he did? Did I not take the very same steps?
I urged Titus to go, and with him I sent our brother. Did Titus make gain of you? And did I not walk in the same spirit as he did? Did I not take the very same steps? Do you think that all this time I am defending myself to you? It is before the presence of God that I am speaking in Christ; and all, beloved, for your upbuilding.
Do you think that all this time I am defending myself to you? It is before the presence of God that I am speaking in Christ; and all, beloved, for your upbuilding. For I dread that perhaps, when I come, I may not find you to be such as I wish, and that I may be found by you such as you do not wish; I dread lest there should be quarrels, jealousy, tempers, party spirit, slandering, gossip, arrogance, tumults; read more. and lest when I come again my God may humble me before you, and lest I shall mourn for many those who have sinned before, and have not repented of the impurity and immorality and wantonness which they have practised.
and lest when I come again my God may humble me before you, and lest I shall mourn for many those who have sinned before, and have not repented of the impurity and immorality and wantonness which they have practised.
This will be my third visit to you. Out of the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be confirmed.
This will be my third visit to you. Out of the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be confirmed.
For this reason I am writing thus while absent, so that when I come, I may not have to deal sharply, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for pulling down.
For this reason I am writing thus while absent, so that when I come, I may not have to deal sharply, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for pulling down.
For this reason I am writing thus while absent, so that when I come, I may not have to deal sharply, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for pulling down. Finally, brothers, farewell. Aim at perfection, take courage, be of one mind, live in peace; so shall the God of love and peace be with you. read more. Salute one another with a holy kiss. All the saints salute you. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
I ask that you may give thanks to the Father who has made us fit to receive our share of the heritage of the saints in the light.