 |
SECOND
CORINTHIANS |
|
| Book 47 - New
Testament Book of 2 Corinthians - King James Version |
|
| |
|
|
|
| 001:001
| Paul, an apostle of
Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the
church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are
in all Achaia:
|
| 001:002
| Grace be to you and
peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
|
| 001:003
| Blessed be God, even
the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and
the God of all comfort;
|
| 001:004
| Who comforteth us in
all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are
in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are
comforted of God.
|
| 001:005
| For as the
sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also
aboundeth by Christ.
|
| 001:006
| And whether we be
afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is
effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also
suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and
salvation.
|
| 001:007
| And our hope of you
is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings,
so shall ye be also of the consolation.
|
| 001:008
| For we would not,
brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in
Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength,
insomuch that we despaired even of life:
|
| 001:009
| But we had the
sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in
ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:
|
| 001:010
| Who delivered us
from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he
will yet deliver us;
|
| 001:011
| Ye also helping
together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by
the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our
behalf.
|
| 001:012
| For our rejoicing is
this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and
godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God,
we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to
you-ward.
|
| 001:013
| For we write none
other things unto you, than what ye read or acknowledge; and I
trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end;
|
| 001:014
| As also ye have
acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye
also are our's in the day of the Lord Jesus.
|
| 001:015
| And in this
confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might
have a second benefit;
|
| 001:016
| And to pass by you
into Macedonia, and to come again out of Macedonia unto you, and
of you to be brought on my way toward Judaea.
|
| 001:017
| When I therefore was
thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do
I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea
yea, and nay nay?
|
| 001:018
| But as God is true,
our word toward you was not yea and nay.
|
| 001:019
| For the Son of God,
Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and
Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.
|
| 001:020
| For all the promises
of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by
us.
|
| 001:021
| Now he which
stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
|
| 001:022
| Who hath also sealed
us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
|
| 001:023
| Moreover I call God
for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet
unto Corinth.
|
| 001:024
| Not for that we have
dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by
faith ye stand.
|
|
|
| CHAPTER
2
|
| 002:001
| But I determined
this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.
|
| 002:002
| For if I make you
sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is
made sorry by me?
|
| 002:003
| And I wrote this
same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them
of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my
joy is the joy of you all.
|
| 002:004
| For out of much
affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears;
not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love
which I have more abundantly unto you.
|
| 002:005
| But if any have
caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not
overcharge you all.
|
| 002:006
| Sufficient to such a
man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many.
|
| 002:007
| So that contrariwise
ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such
a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.
|
| 002:008
| Wherefore I beseech
you that ye would confirm your love toward him.
|
| 002:009
| For to this end also
did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be
obedient in all things.
|
| 002:010
| To whom ye forgive
any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I
forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;
|
| 002:011
| Lest Satan should
get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
|
| 002:012
| Furthermore, when I
came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened
unto me of the Lord,
|
| 002:013
| I had no rest in my
spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave
of them, I went from thence into Macedonia.
|
| 002:014
| Now thanks be unto
God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh
manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
|
| 002:015
| For we are unto God
a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that
perish:
|
| 002:016
| To the one we are
the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of
life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?
|
| 002:017
| For we are not as
many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as
of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.
|
|
|
| CHAPTER
3
|
| 003:001
| Do we begin again to
commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of
commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you?
|
| 003:002
| Ye are our epistle
written in our hearts, known and read of all men:
|
| 003:003
| Forasmuch as ye are
manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us,
written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not
in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.
|
| 003:004
| And such trust have
we through Christ to God-ward:
|
| 003:005
| Not that we are
sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but
our sufficiency is of God;
|
| 003:006
| Who also hath made
us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of
the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
|
| 003:007
| But if the
ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was
glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly
behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which
glory was to be done away:
|
| 003:008
| How shall not the
ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?
|
| 003:009
| For if the
ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the
ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
|
| 003:010
| For even that which
was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the
glory that excelleth.
|
| 003:011
| For if that which is
done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is
glorious.
|
| 003:012
| Seeing then that we
have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
|
| 003:013
| And not as Moses,
which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could
not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
|
| 003:014
| But their minds were
blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away
in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in
Christ.
|
| 003:015
| But even unto this
day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.
|
| 003:016
| Nevertheless when it
shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
|
| 003:017
| Now the Lord is that
Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
|
| 003:018
| But we all, with
open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are
changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the
Spirit of the Lord.
|
|
|
| CHAPTER
4
|
| 004:001
| Therefore seeing we
have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
|
| 004:002
| But have renounced
the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor
handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the
truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight
of God.
|
| 004:003
| But if our gospel be
hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
|
| 004:004
| In whom the god of
this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest
the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of
God, should shine unto them.
|
| 004:005
| For we preach not
ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants
for Jesus' sake.
|
| 004:006
| For God, who
commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our
hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in
the face of Jesus Christ.
|
| 004:007
| But we have this
treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may
be of God, and not of us.
|
| 004:008
| We are troubled on
every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in
despair;
|
| 004:009
| Persecuted, but not
forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
|
| 004:010
| Always bearing about
in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of
Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
|
| 004:011
| For we which live
are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also
of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
|
| 004:012
| So then death
worketh in us, but life in you.
|
| 004:013
| We having the same
spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and
therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
|
| 004:014
| Knowing that he
which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus,
and shall present us with you.
|
| 004:015
| For all things are
for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the
thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
|
| 004:016
| For which cause we
faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man
is renewed day by day.
|
| 004:017
| For our light
affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more
exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
|
| 004:018
| While we look not at
the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen:
for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which
are not seen are eternal.
|
|
|
| CHAPTER
5
|
| 005:001
| For we know that if
our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a
building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the
heavens.
|
| 005:002
| For in this we
groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which
is from heaven:
|
| 005:003
| If so be that being
clothed we shall not be found naked.
|
| 005:004
| For we that are in
this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be
unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up
of life.
|
| 005:005
| Now he that hath
wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto
us the earnest of the Spirit.
|
| 005:006
| Therefore we are
always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body,
we are absent from the Lord:
|
| 005:007
| (For we walk by
faith, not by sight:)
|
| 005:008
| We are confident, I
say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be
present with the Lord.
|
| 005:009
| Wherefore we labour,
that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
|
| 005:010
| For we must all
appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may
receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath
done, whether it be good or bad.
|
| 005:011
| Knowing therefore
the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest
unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
|
| 005:012
| For we commend not
ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our
behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in
appearance, and not in heart.
|
| 005:013
| For whether we be
beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for
your cause.
|
| 005:014
| For the love of
Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died
for all, then were all dead:
|
| 005:015
| And that he died for
all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto
themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
|
| 005:016
| Wherefore henceforth
know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ
after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
|
| 005:017
| Therefore if any man
be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away;
behold, all things are become new.
|
| 005:018
| And all things are
of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and
hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
|
| 005:019
| To wit, that God was
in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their
trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of
reconciliation.
|
| 005:020
| Now then we are
ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we
pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
|
| 005:021
| For he hath made him
to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the
righteousness of God in him.
|
|
|
| CHAPTER
6
|
| 006:001
| We then, as workers
together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace
of God in vain.
|
| 006:002
| (For he saith, I
have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation
have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold,
now is the day of salvation.)
|
| 006:003
| Giving no offence in
any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
|
| 006:004
| But in all things
approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in
afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
|
| 006:005
| In stripes, in
imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
|
| 006:006
| By pureness, by
knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by
love unfeigned,
|
| 006:007
| By the word of
truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the
right hand and on the left,
|
| 006:008
| By honour and
dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet
true;
|
| 006:009
| As unknown, and yet
well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not
killed;
|
| 006:010
| As sorrowful, yet
alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing,
and yet possessing all things.
|
| 006:011
| O ye Corinthians,
our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.
|
| 006:012
| Ye are not
straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.
|
| 006:013
| Now for a recompence
in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged.
|
| 006:014
| Be ye not unequally
yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath
righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light
with darkness?
|
| 006:015
| And what concord
hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with
an infidel?
|
| 006:016
| And what agreement
hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the
living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in
them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
|
| 006:017
| Wherefore come out
from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not
the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
|
| 006:018
| And will be a Father
unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord
Almighty.
|
|
|
| CHAPTER
7
|
| 007:001
| Having therefore
these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all
filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the
fear of God.
|
| 007:002
| Receive us; we have
wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no
man.
|
| 007:003
| I speak not this to
condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to
die and live with you.
|
| 007:004
| Great is my boldness
of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled
with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.
|
| 007:005
| For, when we were
come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled
on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.
|
| 007:006
| Nevertheless God,
that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the
coming of Titus;
|
| 007:007
| And not by his
coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in
you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your
fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.
|
| 007:008
| For though I made
you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for
I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it
were but for a season.
|
| 007:009
| Now I rejoice, not
that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for
ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive
damage by us in nothing.
|
| 007:010
| For godly sorrow
worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the
sorrow of the world worketh death.
|
| 007:011
| For behold this
selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what
carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves,
yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire,
yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved
yourselves to be clear in this matter.
|
| 007:012
| Wherefore, though I
wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the
wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care
for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.
|
| 007:013
| Therefore we were
comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we
for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.
|
| 007:014
| For if I have
boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake
all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made
before Titus, is found a truth.
|
| 007:015
| And his inward
affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the
obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.
|
| 007:016
| I rejoice therefore
that I have confidence in you in all things.
|
|
|
| CHAPTER
8
|
| 008:001
| Moreover, brethren,
we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of
Macedonia;
|
| 008:002
| How that in a great
trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep
poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
|
| 008:003
| For to their power,
I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of
themselves;
|
| 008:004
| Praying us with much
intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the
fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
|
| 008:005
| And this they did,
not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and
unto us by the will of God.
|
| 008:006
| Insomuch that we
desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in
you the same grace also.
|
| 008:007
| Therefore, as ye
abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and
in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in
this grace also.
|
| 008:008
| I speak not by
commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to
prove the sincerity of your love.
|
| 008:009
| For ye know the
grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for
your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be
rich.
|
| 008:010
| And herein I give my
advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not
only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.
|
| 008:011
| Now therefore
perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so
there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.
|
| 008:012
| For if there be
first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath,
and not according to that he hath not.
|
| 008:013
| For I mean not that
other men be eased, and ye burdened:
|
| 008:014
| But by an equality,
that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their
want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want:
that there may be equality:
|
| 008:015
| As it is written, He
that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered
little had no lack.
|
| 008:016
| But thanks be to
God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for
you.
|
| 008:017
| For indeed he
accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own
accord he went unto you.
|
| 008:018
| And we have sent
with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all
the churches;
|
| 008:019
| And not that only,
but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with
this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same
Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:
|
| 008:020
| Avoiding this, that
no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by
us:
|
| 008:021
| Providing for honest
things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight
of men.
|
| 008:022
| And we have sent
with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in
many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence
which I have in you.
|
| 008:023
| Whether any do
enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning
you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of
the churches, and the glory of Christ.
|
| 008:024
| Wherefore shew ye to
them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our
boasting on your behalf.
|
|
|
| CHAPTER
9
|
| 009:001
| For as touching the
ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to
you:
|
| 009:002
| For I know the
forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of
Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath
provoked very many.
|
| 009:003
| Yet have I sent the
brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this
behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:
|
| 009:004
| Lest haply if they
of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we
say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.
|
| 009:005
| Therefore I thought
it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before
unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had
notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of
bounty, and not as of covetousness.
|
| 009:006
| But this I say, He
which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which
soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
|
| 009:007
| Every man according
as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or
of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
|
| 009:008
| And God is able to
make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all
sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
|
| 009:009
| (As it is written,
He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his
righteousness remaineth for ever.
|
| 009:010
| Now he that
ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food,
and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your
righteousness;)
|
| 009:011
| Being enriched in
every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us
thanksgiving to God.
|
| 009:012
| For the
administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the
saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
|
| 009:013
| Whiles by the
experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your
professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your
liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;
|
| 009:014
| And by their prayer
for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in
you.
|
| 009:015
| Thanks be unto God
for his unspeakable gift.
|
|
|
| CHAPTER
10
|
| 010:001
| Now I Paul myself
beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in
presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:
|
| 010:002
| But I beseech you,
that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence,
wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if
we walked according to the flesh.
|
| 010:003
| For though we walk
in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
|
| 010:004
| (For the weapons of
our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling
down of strong holds;)
|
| 010:005
| Casting down
imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against
the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to
the obedience of Christ;
|
| 010:006
| And having in a
readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is
fulfilled.
|
| 010:007
| Do ye look on things
after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he
is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is
Christ's, even so are we Christ's.
|
| 010:008
| For though I should
boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us
for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be
ashamed:
|
| 010:009
| That I may not seem
as if I would terrify you by letters.
|
| 010:010
| For his letters, say
they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak,
and his speech contemptible.
|
| 010:011
| Let such an one
think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are
absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present.
|
| 010:012
| For we dare not make
ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that
commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves,
and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
|
| 010:013
| But we will not
boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure
of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach
even unto you.
|
| 010:014
| For we stretch not
ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you:
for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of
Christ:
|
| 010:015
| Not boasting of
things without our measure, that is, of other men's labours; but
having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be
enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,
|
| 010:016
| To preach the gospel
in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's line
of things made ready to our hand.
|
| 010:017
| But he that glorieth,
let him glory in the Lord.
|
| 010:018
| For not he that
commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.
|
|
|
| CHAPTER
11
|
| 011:001
| Would to God ye
could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.
|
| 011:002
| For I am jealous
over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one
husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
|
| 011:003
| But I fear, lest by
any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so
your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in
Christ.
|
| 011:004
| For if he that
cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if
ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another
gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
|
| 011:005
| For I suppose I was
not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.
|
| 011:006
| But though I be rude
in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made
manifest among you in all things.
|
| 011:007
| Have I committed an
offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have
preached to you the gospel of God freely?
|
| 011:008
| I robbed other
churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.
|
| 011:009
| And when I was
present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that
which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia
supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being
burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.
|
| 011:010
| As the truth of
Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the
regions of Achaia.
|
| 011:011
| Wherefore? because I
love you not? God knoweth.
|
| 011:012
| But what I do, that
I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire
occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.
|
| 011:013
| For such are false
apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the
apostles of Christ.
|
| 011:014
| And no marvel; for
Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
|
| 011:015
| Therefore it is no
great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers
of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
|
| 011:016
| I say again, Let no
man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that
I may boast myself a little.
|
| 011:017
| That which I speak,
I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this
confidence of boasting.
|
| 011:018
| Seeing that many
glory after the flesh, I will glory also.
|
| 011:019
| For ye suffer fools
gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise.
|
| 011:020
| For ye suffer, if a
man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of
you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.
|
| 011:021
| I speak as
concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit
whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also.
|
| 011:022
| Are they Hebrews? so
am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham?
so am I.
|
| 011:023
| Are they ministers
of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more
abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in
deaths oft.
|
| 011:024
| Of the Jews five
times received I forty stripes save one.
|
| 011:025
| Thrice was I beaten
with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night
and a day I have been in the deep;
|
| 011:026
| In journeyings
often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by
mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the
city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils
among false brethren;
|
| 011:027
| In weariness and
painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings
often, in cold and nakedness.
|
| 011:028
| Beside those things
that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all
the churches.
|
| 011:029
| Who is weak, and I
am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?
|
| 011:030
| If I must needs
glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.
|
| 011:031
| The God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth
that I lie not.
|
| 011:032
| In Damascus the
governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes
with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:
|
| 011:033
| And through a window
in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.
|
|
|
| CHAPTER
12
|
| 012:001
| It is not expedient
for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations
of the Lord.
|
| 012:002
| I knew a man in
Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot
tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
such an one caught up to the third heaven.
|
| 012:003
| And I knew such a
man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God
knoweth;)
|
| 012:004
| How that he was
caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is
not lawful for a man to utter.
|
| 012:005
| Of such an one will
I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
|
| 012:006
| For though I would
desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth:
but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that
which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
|
| 012:007
| And lest I should be
exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations,
there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan
to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
|
| 012:008
| For this thing I
besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
|
| 012:009
| And he said unto me,
My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect
in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my
infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
|
| 012:010
| Therefore I take
pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in
persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak,
then am I strong.
|
| 012:011
| I am become a fool
in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been
commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest
apostles, though I be nothing.
|
| 012:012
| Truly the signs of
an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and
wonders, and mighty deeds.
|
| 012:013
| For what is it
wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I
myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.
|
| 012:014
| Behold, the third
time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to
you: for I seek not your's but you: for the children ought not to
lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
|
| 012:015
| And I will very
gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I
love you, the less I be loved.
|
| 012:016
| But be it so, I did
not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with
guile.
|
| 012:017
| Did I make a gain of
you by any of them whom I sent unto you?
|
| 012:018
| I desired Titus, and
with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we
not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?
|
| 012:019
| Again, think ye that
we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but
we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.
|
| 012:020
| For I fear, lest,
when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I
shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be
debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings,
swellings, tumults:
|
| 012:021
| And lest, when I
come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall
bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of
the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have
committed.
|
|
|
| CHAPTER
13
|
| 013:001
| This is the third
time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses
shall every word be established.
|
| 013:002
| I told you before,
and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being
absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to
all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare:
|
| 013:003
| Since ye seek a
proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but
is mighty in you.
|
| 013:004
| For though he was
crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For
we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power
of God toward you.
|
| 013:005
| Examine yourselves,
whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not
your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be
reprobates?
|
| 013:006
| But I trust that ye
shall know that we are not reprobates.
|
| 013:007
| Now I pray to God
that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that
ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.
|
| 013:008
| For we can do
nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
|
| 013:009
| For we are glad,
when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even
your perfection.
|
| 013:010
| Therefore I write
these things being absent, lest being present I should use
sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to
edification, and not to destruction.
|
| 013:011
| Finally, brethren,
farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in
peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
|
| 013:012
| Greet one another
with an holy kiss.
|
| 013:013
| All the saints
salute you.
|
| 013:014
| The grace of the
Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the
Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
|
|
|
Suggestions
and comments welcome at 
©1989-2007