Because, even as the sufferings of the Christ abound towards us, so through the Christ does our encouragement also abound.

who has delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver; in whom we confide that he will also yet deliver;

As God is true, the Message that we brought you does not waver between 'Yes' and 'No'!

The affliction I have had, comes only from a particular quarter, so that my resentment does not affect the whole church.

So instead, you people should [now] forgive and comfort him, in order that such a person does not become overwhelmed with extreme grief.

For if the ministry of condemnation be glory, much more does the ministry of righteousness exceed in glory.

For if that which fades away came through glory, how much more does that which is permanent have glory?

But their minds were slow to learn. Indeed, to this very day, at the public reading of the Old Covenant, the same veil remains unlifted; only for those who are in union with Christ does it pass away.

to those unbelievers, whose minds the God of this world has so blinded, that the glorious lustre of the gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, does not enlighten them.

But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that the extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.

So, from now on we will not regard any person by worldly standards, even though we [once] regarded Christ that way. But we will not regard Him [that way] anymore. [Note: Paul seems to be saying that before his conversion he viewed Christ on the basis of His family, His education, His position, etc., but since his conversion he does not view Him that way anymore].

Do not be mismatched with unbelievers. For what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?

What agreement does Christ have with Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?

And what agreement does God’s sanctuary have with idols? For we are the sanctuary of the living God, as God said:

I will dwell among them
and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they will be My people.

my having therefore such an entire confidence in you, does agreeably affect me.

For if the eagerness is there, it is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.

This does not mean that other people are to be relieved and you to suffer:

for the execution of this charitable office, does not only supply the necessities of the converts, but by the thanksgivings of many redounds also to the glory of God.

Though I do walk on the low level of the flesh, I do not make war as the flesh does;

You look at the outward appearance of things! Let any one, who is confident that he belongs to Christ, reflect, for himself, again upon the fact--that we belong to Christ no less than he does.

Our boasting, therefore, is not unlimited, nor does it extend to the labors of others; but our hope is that, as your faith grows, our influence among you may be very greatly increased-- though still confined to our sphere--

I am doing and will continue to do this in order to cut away the ground from under those who wish some cause for slander; and that the ground of their boasting may appear as does mine.

To boast indeed does not become me: but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

I know that this man --- whether in his body or out of it, I do not know, but God does ---