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Paul's Second Letter To the Corinthians

 

2 Corinthians 1

Paul's Greetings

1 Paul, by God's will an apostle of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, to God's congregation which is in Corinth, together with all God's holy people who are in all Greece:

2 Gracious favor and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

God's Comfort in Times of Trouble

3 Adore with praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassions, and the God of all encouragement;

4 Who encourages us in all our oppression, that we may also be able to encourage those who are in any pressing situation, with the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged by God.

5 Because as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so also our encouragement abounds through Christ.

6 But if we are under pressure, it is for your encouragement and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer.

7 (And our confident-expectation concerning you is steadfast;) if we are encouraged, it is because of your encouragement and salvation, knowing that as you are partakers of the same sufferings, so you are also partakers of the same encouragement.

 

Deliverance Even from Death

8 For brothers and sisters, we don't want you to be unaware of the intense pressure which came upon us in Asia: that we were excessively burdened beyond measure, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life itself.

9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead:

10 Who delivered us from such a great death, and who does deliver us: in whom we also trust that he will continue to deliver us;

11 You also joined in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many people on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many.

 

Paul’s Plans to Come Are Changed

12 For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that in this world we have conducted ourselves in simplicity and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in God's gracious favor, and even more abundantly toward you.

13 For we're not writing any other things to you; other than that which you have read or understood. Now I trust that you will understand, even to the end;

14 As you have also understood us in part, that we are your boasting in the Day of the Lord Jesus, as you also are ours.

15 And in this confidence, previously I had intended to come to you, that you might have a second experience of cheerful favor;

16 And by you to pass onto Macedonia, and then from Macedonia to come to you again, and be sent forward by you on my journey to Judah.

17 Therefore, when I was planning this, did I do it lightly? Or the things which I plan, do I plan according to the flesh, that with me there should be “Yes, Yes, and No, No" at the same time?

18 But as surely as God is faithful, our word to you wasn't both “Yes and No.”

19 Because God's Son, Jesus Christ, who was proclaimed among you by us, even by me and Silas and Timothy, wasn't both “Yes and No,” but in him always “Yes!”

20 For all of the promises of God in him are “Yes!” and in him “So be it!" To the glory of God through us.

21 Now God is the one who established us with you in Christ, and anointed us;

22 Who also has sealed us, and has given us his Spirit in our hearts, as a guarantee.

23 Moreover, I call God as a witness to my soul, that to spare you I didn't return to Corinth.

24 For we shouldn't rule over your faith, rather we are co-workers together with you for your joy, because you stand by faith.

 

2 Corinthians 2

 

1 So I decided that I would that I would not come to you again in sadness:

2 Because if I make you sad, then who will make me glad? Surely not the one whom I made sad.

 

Forgive and Comfort the Sinning Member

3 And this is the very thing which I wrote to you; so that when I came, I would not have sadness over those who should cause me to rejoice; having confidence in all of you, that the joy of all of you, is also my joy.

4 Because I wrote to you out of much heaviness and distress of heart, through many tears; not so you would be saddened, but so you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you.

 

5 But if anyone has caused sadness, he has not caused sadness to me, but to some extent to all of you;

6 Not to be too severe; this punishment which was inflicted by the majority is sufficient for such a person.

 

7 Now instead, you should extend gracious favor to him and encourage him; lest perhaps such a person should be swallowed up with too much sadness.

8 Therefore I urge you, reaffirm your love to him.

9 For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you would be obedient in everything.
10 Now to whomever you extend gracious favor to in anything, I do also; for when I extend gracious favor, if I have extended gracious favor in anything, it is for your sake in the presence of Christ;

11 That Satan may not gain an advantage over us; because we are not ignorant of his schemes.

 

God Always Causes Us to Triumph

12 Now when I came to the city of Troas to proclaim the Good News of Christ, the Lord opened a door of opportunity for me in Macedonia,

13 And I had no rest in my spirit because I couldn't find my brother Titus; so I told them, "Goodbye." and I went on to Macedonia.

 

14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us reveals the sweet aroma of his knowledge in every place.

15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing:

16 To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. But who is adequate for these things?

17 Yet we are not like many, making retail merchandise out of God's Word; rather we speak as those sent from God, and we speak in the sight of God, with sincerity in Christ. [Note: In Paul's day, ministries were producing expensive copies of Scripture to support themselves; but Paul never charged anyone for God's Word!]

 

The New Commandmet: Written on Human Hearts

1 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some, letters of recommendation to you? Or letters of recommendation from you?

2 You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all people:

3 Clearly you are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone (the 10 Commandments) but on fleshly tablets of the heart.

 

4 And we have such confidence towards God through Christ:

5 Not that we are adequate of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God;

6 Who also made us adequate to be ministers of the New Covenant; not of the letter of the Law, but of the Spirit: because the letter of the Law kills, but the Spirit gives life.

 

7 But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones (the 10 Commandments), was glorious, so that the sons of Israel were not able to look intently into the the face of Moses, because of the glory of his countenance; which glory was fading away:

8 How will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious?

9 Because if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds it much more in glory.

10 Because even that which had glory, has no glory in comparison, because of the glory of that which surpasses it!

11  Because if that which is fading away was glorious, that which remains is much more glorious!

12 Therefore, since we have such confidence, we use great boldness of speech:

 

13 Not like Moses, who put a veil over his face, so that the sons of Israel could not look intently at the end of that which was fading away.

14 For the perceptions their heart was hardened: for even to the present day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it removed.

15 But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil covers their heart.

16 Nevertheless when someone turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.

17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

18 And we all, with unveiled face, seeing the reflection of the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same exact image, from glory to glory, as from the Spirit of the Lord.

 

2 Corinthians 4

The Light of the Gospel

1 Therefore having this ministry, since we received compassion, we do not become weary;

2 But we have renounced the shameful things people keep hidden, not walking in trickery nor distorting God's Word; but in exhibition of the truth we commend ourselves to every person's conscience in the sight of God.

3 But if our Good News is concealed, it is concealed from those who are perishing:

4 Those who do not believe, whose perception Satan, the god of this age has blinded, so that the light of the glorious Good News of Christ, who is the exact likeness of the unseen God, might not shine on them.

5 For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Christ Jesus our Lord; but we ourselves are your servants for Jesus' sake.

6 For God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, has shone his light in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

 

God's Power in Jars of Clay

7 But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that the exceeding greatness of the power might be from God and not from ourselves.

8  We are hard-pressed on every side, but not hemmed in; we are perplexed, but not utterly at a loss;

9  Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

10 Always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus might also be revealed in our body.

11 For we who live are always being delivered up to death for the sake of Jesus, that the life of Jesus also might be revealed in our mortal flesh.

12 So indeed death is at work in us, but life in you.

13 And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed, and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak,

14 Knowing that he who raised up the Lord Jesus, will also raise us up through Jesus, and will present us with you.

15 Because all things are for your sakes, that God's gracious favor increasing through many, may cause thanksgiving to super-abound to the glory of God.

 

The Unseen Inward Person is Eternal

16 Therefore we do not lose heart: even though our outward person is decaying, yet our inner person is being renewed day by day.

17 For our momentary light pressures, are working out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

18 Not considering the things we see, but the things which are unseen: because the things which are seen are temporary; but the things which are unseen are eternal.

 

2 Corinthians 5

 

God Builds Our Eternal Dwelling

1 For we know that if our earthly residence, this tent, is destroyed, we have a dwelling place from God, a residence not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

2 Because in this tent we groan, earnestly longing to be clothed with our residence which is from heaven:

3 If indeed, we also have been so clothed, we won't be found naked.

4 Because we who are in this tent groan, being weighed down; since at present we do not want to be unclothed, but rather further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life.

5 Now he who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has also given us the Spirit as a pledge.

6 Therefore we always exercise courage, knowing that while we are at home in the body, we are away from our home with the Lord:

7 (Because we walk by faith, not by sight:)

8 Therefore we exercise courage; and think it better to migrate from this body, and be home with the Lord.

 

The Judgment Seat of Christ

9 Therefore we are ambitious, whether we are at home or away from home, to be well-pleasing to him.

10 Because we all must step forward and appear before the judgment throne of Christ, so that each may receive what is due them, for the things they have done in the body, whether good or evil.

11 Therefore knowing the terror of the Lord, we persuade people, because God will make all things known; and I am confident that we are also well-known in your consciences.

 

Reconciliation to God

12 For we are not commending ourselves to you again, but are giving you opportunity to boast on our behalf, that you may have a reason to boast to those who boast in appearance and not in heart.

13 Because if we are beside ourselves, it was for God: Or if we are of a sound mind, it is for you.

14 Because the love of Christ joins us together; having determined this: That if one died for everyone, then everyone died;

15 Because he died for everyone, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for him who died for them and rose again.

16 Therefore, from now on, we no longer know anyone according to the flesh. For even if we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we no longer know him in this way.

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, everything has become brand new.

18 And all things are from God, who has restored us to himself through Jesus Christ, and has given to us this ministry of reconciliation;

19 That is, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not counting their offences against them, and he has committed to us this message of reconciliation.

20 Therefore as ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading with you through us: we urge you on Christ's behalf, be reconciliation to God.

21 Because he made him, who knew no sin, to be made sin for us; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

 

2 Corinthians 6

 

1 We then, as workers together with God, also plead with you not to receive God's gracious favor in vain.

2 (Because he says: “In an acceptable time I listened to you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.”  Behold, now is “the acceptable time;” behold, now is “the day of salvation.”)

 

Hardships in Pauls Ministry

3 Giving no offense to anyone in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed:

4 But in everything we present ourselves as God's servants: In much patience, in pressing problems, in needs, in distresses,

5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in instability, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings;

6 In pureness, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in sincere love,

7 In the word of truth, in the power of God, through the instruments of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

8 Through honor and dishonor, through evil report and good report: as deceivers, yet true;

9 As unknown, and well-known; as dying, and behold, we live; as being beaten, yet not killed;

10 As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing all things.

11 O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open to you.

12 (You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained by your own affections.) [Literally, intestines: regarded by the Greeks as the seat of intense "passion", and by the Hebrews as the seat of "tender affection."]

13 But now respond in like manner (I speak as to children), you also be wide open to us.

 

Do Not Have Close Relationships With Unbelievers

14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers: Because what partnership has righteousness with unrighteousness? And what fellowship has light with darkness?

15 And what harmony does Christ have with Belial (Satan, the worthless one)? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?

16 And what agreement does the temple of God have with idols? Because you are the temple of the living God; as God has said, “I will dwell in them, and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they will be my people.”

17 Therefore “Come out from the midst of them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.”

18 And “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

 

2 Corinthians 7

 

1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every stain of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

 

Repentance of the Corinthian Church

2 Make room for us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have cheated no one.

3 I do not say this to condemn you: for as I said before, that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together.

4 Great is my boldness towards you, great is my boasting of you: I am filled with encouragement, I am exceedingly joyful in all our pressing difficulty.

5 For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were oppressed in every way. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears.

6 Nevertheless God, who encourages those who are depressed, encouaged us by the coming of Titus;

7 And not only by his coming, but also by the encouragement with which he was encouraged by you; when he told us about your earnest longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more.

8 Because even if I made you sad in the former letter, I do not regret it; even if I did regret it. Because I see that even if that letter made you sad, for a little while; [Literally, an hour.]

9 I now rejoice, not because you were made sad, but because your sorrow caused you to change your mind. Because you were made sorrowful by God, so that in nothing you might suffer loss, or be separated from us.

10 Because the sorrow that is according to God's will, produces a change of heart and mind that leads to salvation, and is not to be regretted. But the sorrow of the world produces death.

11 For observe this very thing, since you sorrowed according to God's will: What earnestness it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what deep longing, what zeal, what outworking of righteousness. In all things you have proven yourselves to be innocent in this matter. [Literally, clean.]

12 Therefore, although I wrote to you, I did not do it on account of the one who did the wrong nor on account of the one who suffered wrong, but that our care for you (in the sight of God) might become apparent to you.

13 Because of this we were encouraged by your encouragement: and we rejoiced exceedingly more at the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.

14 Because if I had boasted to him about anything concerning you, I was not put to shame; but just as we spoke everything to you in truth, so too our boasting about you before Titus became truth,

15 And his deep affection for you is even greater, as he remembers the obedient listening of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling. [Literally, intestines: regarded by the Greeks as the seat of intense "passion", and by the Hebrews as the seat of "tender affection."]

16 Therefore I rejoice, because I have complete confidence in you in everything!

 

2 Corinthians 8

 

The Congregations of Macedonia Gave Abundantly

1 Now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know God's gracious favor which has been given in the congregations of Macedonia:

 

2 That during a severe testing and oppression, the abundance of their cheerfulness and their deep poverty overflowed into the richness of their generosity.

3 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave voluntarily of themselves,

4 Begging us insistently that we would receive their gracious gift, that they might fellowship in the service to God's holy people.

5 And not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by God's will.

6 So we urged Titus, that just as he before had begun to collect this gracious gift, so he would also complete it in you.

7 But just as you abound in everything, in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us, see that you abound in this gracious gift also.

8 I am not saying this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love, by the diligence of others.

 

Jesus Supreme Example

9 For you know the gracious favor of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.

 

fulfill Stewardship Promises

10 And in this I give my advice: It's to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago;

11 But now you must also complete the doing of it; so that just as there was a readiness to desire to do it, so there also may be a completion of what you have done.

12 Because if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what someone has, and not according to what they do not have.

13 For this is not that others may be eased, and you be under pressure;

14 But for equality, that at this present time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance one day may also supply your lack, that there may be equality.

15 Just as it's written, “The one who gathered much had nothing left over, and the one who gathered little had no lack.”

 

Titus, a Faithful Co-worker

16 But thanks be to God who put the same urgent care for you into the heart of Titus.

17 For indeed he not only accepted our appeal, but being very eager, he has gone to you of his own accord.

18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise in the Good News is known throughout all the congregations;

19 And not only that, but he was also chosen by the congregations to travel with us with this gracious gift, which is administered by us to the glory of the Lord himself, and a witness of your readiness:

20 We are taking this precaution: so that no one can criticize us concerning this lavish gift which is administered by us;

21 For we have regard for what is right, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of people.

22 We have sent with them our brother, whom we have often tested and found to be diligent in many things, but who is now even more diligent than ever, because of the great confidence we have in you.

23 If anyone asks about Titus, he is my partner and co-worker among you; or concerning our brothers, they are messengers of the congregations, and of the glory of Christ.

24 Therefore show them the proof of your love, and of our boasting concerning you before the congregations.

 

2 Corinthians 9

 

Be Prepared with Your Gift

1 For indeed concerning the service to God's holy people, it is superfluous for me to write to you;

2 For I know your willingness, about which I have boasted to the Macedonians concerning you, that Greece was ready a year ago; and your zeal has stirred up most of them.

3 Yet I have sent the brothers, lest our boasting about you should be made empty in this respect, that, just as I said, you may be prepared:

4 Lest perhaps if some Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we (not to mention you) should be ashamed in this confident boasting.

5 Therefore I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation.

 

Be a Cheerful Giver

6 But this I say: The one who sows sparingly will also harvest sparingly; and the one who sows a blessing will also harvest a blessing. [Literally, on blessing.]

7 Let each one give as they have purposed in their heart; not with sadness, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver.

8 And God is able to make all gracious favor abound toward you; so that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound in every good deed:

9 As it’s written, “They distributed freely, they have given to the poor; their righteousness endures throughout eternity!” [Note: they and their are singular.]

10 Now may he who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for eating,  supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness;

11 You will be enriched in every way for all your generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.

12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of God's holy people, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God;

13 Seeing that through the proof given by this service, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the Good News about Christ, and for the generosity of your sharing with them and with everyone;

14 While they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing gracious favor of God in you.

15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

 

2 Corinthians 10

 

Paul Will Not Come in Weakness

1 Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the gentleness and mildness of Christ, who indeed in presence am lowly among you, but when absent am bold toward you.

2 But I beg you, that when I am present, I may not have to be bold with that boldness with which I will dare to take an accounting from some, who take an account of us as if we walked according to the flesh.

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh:

4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but powerful through God to demolish strongholds;)

5 Throwing down and demolishing arguments, and every high thing that lifts itself up against the knowledge of God, and taking every thought into captive by obediently listening to Christ;

6 And being ready to punish all failure to listen, once your compliance is complete.

7 Are you looking at things according to their outward appearance? If anyone is convinced that they belong to Christ, they should again take this into account within themselves; because just as they belong to Christ, so too we belong to Christ.

8 Because even if I should boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord has given us for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be put to shame.

9 I do not want to seem as if I was trying to frighten you with my letters.

10 For indeed some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech is contemptible.”

11 Let such a person take this into account, that what we are in word through letters when we are absent, so too we will be in deed when we are present.

12 For we do not dare classify ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

13 We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere of influence which God has appointed to us, a sphere which also includes you.

14 For we are not overextending ourselves (as though our authority did not extend to you), for we came even as far as to you with the Good News about Christ:

15 Not boasting beyond proper limits in other people's labors, but having confident-expectation that as your faith grows, we will be greatly enlarged in our sphere of influence through you,

16 To proclaim the Good News in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in what has been accomplished in the sphere of another.

17 But, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”

18 For it's not the one who promotes themself who is approved, but the person whom the Lord promotes.

 

2 Corinthians 11

 

Paul Defends His Apostleship

1 I wish that you would put up with me in a little foolishness, but you do indeed put up with me.

2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: because I have betrothed you to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ.

3 But I fear, lest somehow as the snake seduced Eve in his cunning, so your minds should be corrupted from the singleness of mind that is in Christ.

4 For indeed if someone comes proclaiming a different Jesus whom we did not proclaim, or if you receive a different spirit which you did not receive, or a different gospel which you did not receive, you put up with it all too well!

 

Paul Is Not Behind the Chief Apostles

5 For I consider myself in no way inferior to the most prominent apostles.

6 But even if I am unskilled in speech, yet I am not in knowledge; but in every way we have made this evident to you in all things.

7 Have I committed a sin in humbling myself, that you might be exalted, because I have proclaimed the Good News about God to you free of charge?

8 I have robbed other congregations, by taking wages from them, to serve you.

9 And when I was present with you, and in need, I was not a burden to anyone (for what I lacked the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied): and in everything I kept myself from being a burden to you, and I will continue to do so.

10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no one will stop me from this boasting in the regions of Greece.

11 Why? Because I do not love you? God knows that I do!

12 But what I’m doing, that I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast.

13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.

14 And it's no wonder! Because Satan transforms himself into a messenger of light.

15 So it's not a great thing: if his servants also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

 

Paul's Boasts About His Suffering

16 I say again, let no one think me to be a fool. But if otherwise, at least receive me as a fool, that I also may boast a little.

17 That which I speak, I do not speak according to the Lord, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting.

18 Since many boast according to the flesh, I also will boast.

19 For you, being intelligent, gladly put up with fools.

20 For you put up with it if someone brings you into bondage, if someone devours you, if someone takes from you, if someone exalts themself, if someone beats you in the face.

21 To our dishonor I say that we were too weak for that! But in whatever anyone may be daring (I speak foolishly) I also am daring.

22 Are they Hebrews? So am I! Are they Israelites? So am I! Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I! [Or, descendants.]

23 Are they servants of Christ? (I speak as being out of my mind!) I am more so! In labors more abundantly, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. [Or, being insane.]

24 From the Jews five times I received 40 lashes, minus one.

25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; I spent a night and a day in the deep sea;

26 In constantly being on the move, in danger of flowing waters, in danger from robbers, in danger from my own nation, in danger from the nations, in danger in the city, in danger in the wilderness, in danger on the sea, in danger among false brothers;

27 In weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

28 Besides these external things, there is that which presses on me daily, my deep concern for all the congregations.

29 Who is made weak, and I am not made weak? Who is caused to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?

30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things which concern my weaknesses.

31 (The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is to be adored with praise throughout the ages, knows that I am not lying.)

32 In Damascus the governor, under King Aretas, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me:

33 But I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands.

 

2 Corinthians 12

 

Paul's Former Vision and Revelation

1 Nevertheless it’s not profitable for me to boast; I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord:

2 I know a man, in Christ, such a one was caught up to the third heaven 14 years ago (whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows).

3 And I know such a man (whether in the body, or out of the body, I do not know, God knows);

4 That he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it isn’t lawful for a human to speak.

5 Concerning such a one I will boast: but concerning myself I will not boast, except in my weaknesses.

6 Because if I should desire to boast, I would be a fool. So because I speak the truth, I will refrain from that, lest anyone should think of me above what they see in me or what they hear from me.

 

Paul's Thorn in the Flesh

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to beat me with the fist, with many blows, lest I should be exalted above measure.  [See Note at the end of this Chapter.]

 

8 Concerning him, I pleaded with the Lord three times that he might depart from me. [In Greek, toutou: Genitive, Singular, Masculine.]

9 But he told me, “My gracious favor is sufficient for you: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather boast in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (See John 16:33)

10 Therefore, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses: in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. Because when I am weak, then I am strong. 

 

Paul’s Love and Sacrifice for the Corinthians

11 I have become a fool in boasting; you have compelled me. For I should have been commended by you; because in nothing am I behind the most prominent apostles, even if I am nothing.

12 Indeed the signs of an apostle were performed among you; in cheerfully enduring everything, in signs and wonders and works of power.

13 For in what respect were you treated as inferior to the rest of the congregations, except that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong.

14 See, I am ready to come to you a third time; and I won’t be a lazy burden to you: because I am not seeking what is yours, but you. Because children aren't obligated to treasure up an inheritance for their parents, but parents for their children.

15 Rather I will most gladly spend and be be utterly spent for your souls; even if the more earnestly I love you, I am loved less. [Literally, abundantly.]

16 But be that as it may, I was not a burden to you. But some say that I was sly and took you by trickery.

17 Did I take advantage of you by any of those whom I sent to you?

18 I urged Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?

19 Again, do you think that we are making our defense to you? We speak before God in Christ. But everything we do, beloved, is for your building up.

20 For I'm afraid that when I come, perhaps I may not find you as I wish, and you may not find me as you wish; that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts, disorder:

21 Lest, when I have come again, my God should humble me among you, and that I will grieve over many who have already sinned, and have not changed their minds concerning their impurity and sexual immorality and unbridled desires which they practise.

 

[Note on 2 Corinthians 12:7: This is one of the most misinterpreted verses in the entire Bible. Paul's “Thorn in the flesh” was not a physical infirmity or poor eyesight, but “a messenger of Satan” who caused people "to beat" him: Literally, "to be beaten with the fist, with many blows.” (To translate this any other way, would be to be unfaithful to God's Word.) Also in verse 10 & verses 11:23-30, Sickness is not listed as one of the “weaknesses” Paul would “delight in.”  The “weakness,” Paul boasts about here are the persecutions and hardships he endured for the sake Christ, not sickness. Also, nowhere in the Bible are "thorns" used as a metaphor for sickness, but ONLY as a metaphor for  people. (See Numbers 33:55, Joshua 23:13, & Judges 2:3)

 

I stress this point here: Because many teach that “Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh” was a physical infirmity; and by doing so, they undermine the Faith of many: for it is ONLY NATURAL to reason, “If God refused to heal Paul; perhaps He won’t heal me either?” But James 5:14-15 says, “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call for the elders of the congregation, and let them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord: and the prayer of faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and if they have committed sins, they will be forgiven.” This verse does not say, “The prayer of faith might heal the sick.” Or “The prayer of faith may heal the sick.” It says, “The prayer of faith WILL heal the sick.”

 

But some may say, “We prayed for someone, and they died: so it must not have been God’s will to heal them.” But I would remind you of what Jesus told His 12 disciples, when they prayed and nothing happened; and they asked Jesus, "Why couldn't we cast him out?"  And Jesus told them, "Because of your unbelief. Because Indeed, I tell you, If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there'; and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:19-20) So rather than blaming God, let’s own up to our own lack of faith; and humbly pray, “Lord, increase our faith!” For as James reminds us, “Let them ask in faith, doubting nothing, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. That person shouldn't even imagine that they will receive anything from the Lord: being a double-minded man, unstable in all their ways." (James 1:6-8)]

 

2 Corinthians 13

Paul to Come in Power

1 This is the third time that I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses every word will be established.

2 I told you before, and I tell you again, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to those who have sinned earlier, and to everyone else, that, if I come again, I will not spare any:

3 Since you seek proof of Christ speaking in me, who is not weak towards you, but is powerful among you.

4 For though he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God's power. For we also are weak in him, yet by God's power we will live with him to serve or deal with you.

5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Don't you yourselves realize, that Jesus Christ is in you? Unless indeed you are disqualified.

6 But I trust that you know that we are not disqualified.

7 But I pray to God that you do nothing evil, not that we appear acceptable, but that you do what is right, even if we appear unqualified.

8 Because we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth.

9 For we are happy, when we are weak, and you are strong: and this we also wish, that you may be made complete.

10 Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord has given me for building up, and not for tearing down.

 

Final Greetings and Blessings

11 Finally, brothers and sisters rejoice, be perfected, be encouraged, be of one mindset, be at peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you!

12 Embrace one another with a holy kiss.

13 All God's holy people embrace you.

14 The gracious favor of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all!

 

Amen! (Indeed!)