Previous Home Next
Book 47 2 Corinthians47:001:001 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and 47:001:002 Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the 47:001:003 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the 47:001:004 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able 47:001:005 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our 47:001:006 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and 47:001:007 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are 47:001:008 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble 47:001:009 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should 47:001:010 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in 47:001:011 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift 47:001:012 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, 47:001:013 For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read or 47:001:014 As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your 47:001:015 And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, 47:001:016 And to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again out of 47:001:017 When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the 47:001:018 But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay. 47:001:019 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you 47:001:020 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, 47:001:021 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath 47:001:022 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit 47:001:023 Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare 47:001:024 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers 47:002:001 But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again 47:002:002 For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, 47:002:003 And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should 47:002:004 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto 47:002:005 But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in 47:002:006 Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was 47:002:007 So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and 47:002:008 Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward 47:002:009 For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof 47:002:010 To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave 47:002:011 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not 47:002:012 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, 47:002:013 I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my 47:002:014 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in 47:002:015 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are 47:002:016 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the 47:002:017 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as 47:003:001 Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some 47:003:002 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of 47:003:003 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of 47:003:004 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: 47:003:005 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as 47:003:006 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not 47:003:007 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in 47:003:008 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather 47:003:009 For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more 47:003:010 For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this 47:003:011 For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that 47:003:012 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of 47:003:013 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the 47:003:014 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the 47:003:015 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon 47:003:016 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be 47:003:017 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord 47:003:018 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory 47:004:001 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received 47:004:002 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not 47:004:003 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 47:004:004 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them 47:004:005 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and 47:004:006 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, 47:004:007 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the 47:004:008 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are 47:004:009 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 47:004:010 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, 47:004:011 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' 47:004:012 So then death worketh in us, but life in you. 47:004:013 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is 47:004:014 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up 47:004:015 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace 47:004:016 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man 47:004:017 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh 47:004:018 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the 47:005:001 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were 47:005:002 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon 47:005:003 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 47:005:004 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: 47:005:005 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who 47:005:006 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are 47:005:007 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 47:005:008 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from 47:005:009 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may 47:005:010 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; 47:005:011 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but 47:005:012 For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you 47:005:013 For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether 47:005:014 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, 47:005:015 And that he died for all, that they which live should not 47:005:016 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, 47:005:017 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old 47:005:018 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself 47:005:019 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto 47:005:020 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did 47:005:021 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that 47:006:001 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that 47:006:002 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in 47:006:003 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not 47:006:004 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, 47:006:005 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in 47:006:006 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by 47:006:007 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of 47:006:008 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as 47:006:009 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we 47:006:010 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many 47:006:011 O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is 47:006:012 Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own 47:006:013 Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my 47:006:014 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what 47:006:015 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he 47:006:016 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye 47:006:017 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith 47:006:018 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and 47:007:001 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us 47:007:002 Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, 47:007:003 I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that 47:007:004 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my 47:007:005 For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, 47:007:006 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, 47:007:007 And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith 47:007:008 For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, 47:007:009 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye 47:007:010 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be 47:007:011 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly 47:007:012 Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause 47:007:013 Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and 47:007:014 For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not 47:007:015 And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst 47:007:016 I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all 47:008:001 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God 47:008:002 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their 47:008:003 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power 47:008:004 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, 47:008:005 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own 47:008:006 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he 47:008:007 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and 47:008:008 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness 47:008:009 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though 47:008:010 And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, 47:008:011 Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a 47:008:012 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according 47:008:013 For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: 47:008:014 But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may 47:008:015 As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; 47:008:016 But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the 47:008:017 For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more 47:008:018 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the 47:008:019 And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to 47:008:020 Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance 47:008:021 Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the 47:008:022 And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have 47:008:023 Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and 47:008:024 Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof 47:009:001 For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is 47:009:002 For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of 47:009:003 Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should 47:009:004 Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you 47:009:005 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that 47:009:006 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also 47:009:007 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him 47:009:008 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, 47:009:009 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to 47:009:010 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread 47:009:011 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which 47:009:012 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the 47:009:013 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God 47:009:014 And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the 47:009:015 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. 47:010:001 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness 47:010:002 But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present 47:010:003 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the 47:010:004 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty 47:010:005 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth 47:010:006 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when 47:010:007 Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man 47:010:008 For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, 47:010:009 That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters. 47:010:010 For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his 47:010:011 Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by 47:010:012 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare 47:010:013 But we will not boast of things without our measure, but 47:010:014 For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we 47:010:015 Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other 47:010:016 To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to 47:010:017 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 47:010:018 For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the 47:011:001 Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and 47:011:002 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have 47:011:003 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve 47:011:004 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have 47:011:005 For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest 47:011:006 But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we 47:011:007 Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be 47:011:008 I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you 47:011:009 And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable 47:011:010 As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this 47:011:011 Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth. 47:011:012 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion 47:011:013 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming 47:011:014 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel 47:011:015 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be 47:011:016 I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as 47:011:017 That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it 47:011:018 Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also. 47:011:019 For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise. 47:011:020 For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man 47:011:021 I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. 47:011:022 Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are 47:011:023 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; 47:011:024 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 47:011:025 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I 47:011:026 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of 47:011:027 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger 47:011:028 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon 47:011:029 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn 47:011:030 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which 47:011:031 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed 47:011:032 In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city 47:011:033 And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, 47:012:001 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to 47:012:002 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in 47:012:003 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the 47:012:004 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable 47:012:005 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, 47:012:006 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for 47:012:007 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the 47:012:008 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might 47:012:009 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my 47:012:010 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in 47:012:011 I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I 47:012:012 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all 47:012:013 For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, 47:012:014 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will 47:012:015 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the 47:012:016 But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being 47:012:017 Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you? 47:012:018 I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make 47:012:019 Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak 47:012:020 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I 47:012:021 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, 47:013:001 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two 47:013:002 I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the 47:013:003 Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to 47:013:004 For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by 47:013:005 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own 47:013:006 But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates. 47:013:007 Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should 47:013:008 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. 47:013:009 For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this 47:013:010 Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being 47:013:011 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, 47:013:012 Greet one another with an holy kiss. 47:013:013 All the saints salute you. 47:013:014 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and |