The New Testament Part 32

CHAPTER VIII.

CHARITABLE COLLECTIONS, TIMOTHY, APOLLOS, FAMILY OF STEPHANAS, SALUTATIONS.

1 [16:1]CONCERNING the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so also do you. [16:2]On the first day of the week let each one of you lay aside by himself in store as G.o.d has prospered him, that there may be no collections made when I come. [16:3]And when I come, whom you shall approve, these will I send with letters to carry your charity to Jerusalem; [16:4]and if it seems best that I should go, they shall go with me. [16:5]And I will come to you when I pa.s.s through Macedonia; for I will pa.s.s through Macedonia [16:6]and perhaps remain and spend the winter, that you may send me forward wherever I go. [16:7]For I do not wish now to see you by the way; for I hope to continue some time with you, if the Lord permits. [16:8]But I will remain at Ephesus till Pentecost, [16:9]for a great and effectual door is opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

2 [16:10]If Timothy comes, see that he is with you without fear, for he performs the work of the Lord, as I also do; [16:11]let no one therefore despise him. But send him forward in peace, that he may come to me; for I look for him with the brothers.

3 [16:12]But concerning Apollos the brother, I have exhorted him much to come to you with the brothers; but he was entirely indisposed to come now, but he will come when he has a convenient time.

4 [16:13]Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, be manly, be strong, [16:14]let all your [works] be in love.

5 [16:15]And I exhort you, brothers, know the family of Stephanas, for it is a first fruit of Achaia, and they devoted themselves to serving the saints; [16:16]that you also be in subjection to such, and to every one that works and labors with us. [16:17]I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaiacus, for they supplied your lack, [16:18]and refreshed my spirit and yours. Know therefore such.

6 [16:19]The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the a.s.sembly [church] at their house.

[16:20]All the brothers salute you. Salute one another with a holy kiss.

7 [16:21]The salutation with my hand, Paul's. [16:22]If any one is not a friend to the Lord, let him be accursed. The Lord comes. [16:23]The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. [16:24]My love be with you all in Christ Jesus.

SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS.

PHILIPPI, A.D. 58. (ACTS, 16:1.)

CHAPTER I.

THE APOSTLE'S LOVE OF THE CORINTHIANS, HIS TRIALS, HIS DESIGN TO VISIT THEM, HIS FORMER LETTER, ETC.

1 [1:1]PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of G.o.d, and Timothy the brother, to the church of G.o.d which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia. [1:2]Grace be to you, and peace from G.o.d our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 [1:3]Blessed be the G.o.d and lather of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and G.o.d of all comfort, [1:4]who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those in every affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by G.o.d, [1:5]because as Christ's sufferings abound in us, so also through Christ does our comfort abound. [1:6]And if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation, wrought by a patient endurance the same sufferings which we also suffer, and our hope for you is strong; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort and salvation, [1:7] knowing that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so you are also of the comfort.

3 [1:8]For we wish you not to be ignorant, brothers, of our affliction which befell us in Asia, that we were exceedingly oppressed beyond our power, so that we despaired even of life; [1:9]but we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we might not trust in ourselves, but in G.o.d who raises the dead, [1:10]who delivered us from so great a death and will deliver, in whom we hope that he will also still deliver, [1:11]you also striving together for us in prayer, that thanks may be rendered for us by many persons for the gift bestowed on us by many.

4 [1:12]For this is our rejoicing; the testimony of our conscience that in purity and G.o.dly sincerity, not with a carnal wisdom, but with a divine grace, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and most abundantly towards you. [1:13]For we do not write to you of other things, but of what you read and acknowledge; and I hope you will also acknowledge to the end, [1:14]as you have also acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing as you also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.

5 [1:15]And in this confidence I wished to come to you before, that you might have a second benefit, [1:16]and to pa.s.s by you into Macedonia, and to come again from Macedonia to you, and by you to be sent forward to Judea. [1:17] Wishing this therefore, did I use lightness? or what I wish do I wish according to the flesh, that with me there may be the yes, yes, and the no, no? [1:18]But as G.o.d is faithful, our word to you was not yes and no. [1:19]For Jesus Christ, the Son of G.o.d, who was preached among you by us, by me and Silva.n.u.s and Timothy, was not yes and no, but was yes in him; [1:20]for all the promises of G.o.d, the yes in him, and the Amen in him, are for glory to G.o.d by us. [1:21]And he that establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, is G.o.d, [1:22] who has also sealed us and given us the pledge of the Spirit in our hearts.

6 [1:23]But I call G.o.d to witness on my soul, that to spare you I have not yet come to Corinth. [1:24]Not that we are lords of your faith, but co-laborers of your joy; for you stand firm by the faith. [2:1]But I determined this with myself, not to come again to you in sorrow; [2:2]for if I grieve you, who is he that gladdens me, but he that is grieved by me? [2:3]And I wrote the same to you that coming I might not have sorrow for those in whom I ought to have joy, having trusted in you all that my joy is the joy of you all. [2:4]For I wrote to you in much affliction and distress of mind with many tears, not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have abundantly for you.

7 [2:5]But if any one has caused grief, he has not grieved me, but in part, that I may not be hard upon you, [has grieved you] all, [2:6]Sufficient for such a one is this rebuke by many; [2:7]so that on the other hand you ought to forgive and comfort him, that he may not be overwhelmed with excessive sorrow. [2:8]I exhort you, therefore, to confirm your love to him; [2:9]for I wrote for this purpose, that I might know the proof of you, whether you are obedient in all things.

[2:10]But whom you favor I also will favor; for what favor I have shown, if I have shown any favor, has been for your sakes, in the presence of Christ, [2:11]that we may not be circ.u.mvented by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his devices.

8 [2:12]But when I came to Troas for the gospel of Christ, and a door was opened to me by the Lord, [2:13]I had no rest in my spirit from not finding t.i.tus my brother; but leaving them I went to Macedonia.

[2:14]But thanks be to G.o.d, who always triumphs over us in Christ and reveals the odor of his knowledge by us in every place; [2:15]for we are a sweet odor of Christ to G.o.d, in the saved and in the lost, [2:16]in one an odor of death to death, and in the other an odor of life to life. And who is sufficient for these things? [2:17]For we are not as many, who adulterate the word of G.o.d, [for gain]; but as of sincerity, but as of G.o.d, we speak before G.o.d in Christ.

9 [3:1]Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some, commendatory epistles to you or from you? [3:2]You are our epistle, written by our hearts, known and read by all men, [3:3]for you are manifestly an epistle of Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living G.o.d, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of hearts of flesh. [3:4]And we have such confidence through Jesus Christ in G.o.d; [3:5]not that we are sufficient of ourselves to reason out any thing as of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of G.o.d, [3:6]who also has made us able ministers of the new covenant, not of the writing but of the spirit; for the writing kills, but the spirit makes alive.

10 [3:7]But if the ministry of death engraved in a writing on stones was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses on account of the brightness of his face, which pa.s.sed away, [3:8]how shall not the ministry of the spirit be glorious?

[3:9]For if the ministry of condemnation was a glory, much more will the ministry of righteousness abound in glory. [3:10]For that which was made glorious was not glorious in this respect, on account of the surpa.s.sing glory. [3:11]For if that which has pa.s.sed away was with glory, much more will that which continues be in glory.

11 [3:12]Having therefore this hope we use great boldness, [3:13]and not as Moses put a vail on his face, that the children of Israel might not see to the end of that which has pa.s.sed away; [3:14]but their minds were blinded. For to this day in reading the old covenant the same vail remains, not taken away because it is taken away in Christ; [3:15]but to this day when Moses is read a vail lies upon their minds; [3:16]but when they turn to the Lord the vail is taken away. [3:17]And the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty.

[3:18]And we all with unvailed face beholding as in a gla.s.s the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same likeness, from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord.

12 [4:1]Therefore, having this ministry, as we have obtained mercy we faint not, [4:2]but have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of G.o.d deceitfully, but commending ourselves by the manifestation of the truth to every conscience of men before G.o.d. [4:3]But if our gospel is vailed it is vailed among the lost, [4:4]in whom the G.o.d of this life has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the likeness of G.o.d, may not shine. [4:5]For we preach not ourselves but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. [4:6]For G.o.d who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of G.o.d in the face of Jesus Christ.

13 [4:7]But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of G.o.d and not of us, [4:8]being afflicted in every thing but not distressed, being perplexed but not in despair, [4:9]being persecuted but not deserted, being cast down but not destroyed, [4:10]always carrying about the death of Jesus in the body, that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.

[4:11]For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus may be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

[4:12]So that death works in us, but life in you. [4:13]And having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, therefore I spoke, we also believe and therefore speak, [4:14]knowing that he who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and present us with you. [4:15]For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace may abound through the thanksgiving of many to the glory of G.o.d.

14 [4:16]Wherefore we faint not, but if our outward man is destroyed our inward man is renewed day by day. [4:17]For the light affliction which is for a moment, works out for us more abundantly an eternal weight of glory, [4:18] while we look not on the things which are seen but on the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are for a time, but those which are unseen are eternal.

15 [5:1]For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle was destroyed, we have an edifice from G.o.d, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. [5:2]For in this we also groan, earnestly desiring to put on our dwelling which is from heaven, [5:3]if indeed also having put it on we may not be found naked. [5:4]For being in this tabernacle we groan, being burdened, because we do not wish to put it off, but to put on [the other], that the mortal may be swallowed up by life. [5:5]And he that has made us for this is G.o.d, who has given us the pledge of the Spirit. [5:6]Being always confident therefore, and knowing that while we are present in the body we are absent from the Lord,-- [5:7]we walk by faith, not by sight;-- [5:8]but we are confident, and are pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. [5:9] Wherefore also we strive, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to him. [5:10]For we must all appear before the tribunal of Christ, that each one may receive through the body for what he has done, whether it is good or evil.

16 [5:11]Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord we persuade men, but are made manifest to G.o.d; and I hope also to be made manifest in your consciences. [5:12] For we do not again commend ourselves to you, but give you occasion to glory on our account, that you may have something for those that glory in appearance and not in heart. [5:13]For if we are beside ourselves it is for G.o.d; and if we are sober it is for you.

[5:14]For the love of Christ constrains us, judging this, that if one died for all then were all dead; [5:15]and he died for all, that those who live should no more live for themselves but for him that died for them and rose again. [5:16]So that from henceforth we know no man after the flesh; and if we have known Christ after the flesh, we now know him no more. [5:17]So that if any one is in Christ he is a new creation; old things have pa.s.sed away, behold, all things have become new.

[5:18]And all things are of G.o.d, who has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and given us the ministry of the reconciliation, [5:19]to wit, that G.o.d was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not imputing to them their offenses, and has given to us the word of reconciliation. [5:20]We are emba.s.sadors therefore for Christ, as though G.o.d besought you by us; we pray you, for Christ, be reconciled to G.o.d. [5:21]For he made him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become G.o.d's righteousness in him.

17 [6:1]And being also co-laborers we exhort you not to receive the grace of G.o.d in vain,-- [6:2]for he says, In an acceptable time I heard you, and in a day of salvation I helped you; behold, now is an acceptable time, behold, now is a day of salvation,-- [6:3]giving no offense in any thing, that the ministry may not be blamed, [6:4]but in every thing commending ourselves as ministers of G.o.d, in great patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, [6:5]in stripes, in imprisonments, in dissensions, in labors, in watchings, in fastings, [6:6]in purity, in knowledge, in long-suffering, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in love unfeigned, [6:7]in the word of truth, in the power of G.o.d; with the arms of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, [6:8]with honor and dishonor, with evil report and good report; as deceivers and true, [6:9]as unknown and well-known, as dying and behold we live, as chastened and not killed, [6:10]as grieving but always rejoicing, as poor but making many rich, as having nothing and possessing all things.

18 [6:11]Our mouth is opened to you, Corinthians, our heart is enlarged; [6:12] you are not straitened in us, but you are straitened in your own souls; [6:13] and now as a return of benefits, I speak as to children, do you also be enlarged.

19 [6:14]Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers; for what partic.i.p.ation has righteousness with wickedness? or what communion has light with darkness? [6:15] and what agreement has Christ with Beliar, or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? [6:16]and what agreement has a temple of G.o.d with idols? For you are a temple of the living G.o.d; as G.o.d said, I will dwell in them, and I will walk in them, and I will be to them a G.o.d and they shall be to me a people. [6:17]Go out therefore from among them, and be separate, says the Lord, and touch not the impure; and I will receive you, [6:18]and will be to you a father, and you shall be to me sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. [7:1] Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us purify ourselves from every defilement of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of G.o.d.

20 [7:2]Receive us; we have injured no one, we have destroyed no one, we have defrauded no one. [7:3]I say this not to condemn you, for I have said before that you are in our hearts both to die and live together. [7:4]I have great boldness towards you, and great glorying on your account; I am full of comfort, I have a super-abounding joy in all our afflictions. [7:5]For when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were distressed on every hand; without were conflicts, within fears; [7:6]but G.o.d who comforts the humble comforted us by the coming of t.i.tus; [7:7]and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was comforted on your account, telling us of your great desire, your deep sorrow, your zeal for me, so that I rather rejoiced. [7:8]For if I even grieved you by the epistle, I do not repent, though I did repent; for because I see that the epistle grieved you but for a time, [7:9]now I rejoice, not that you were grieved, but that you grieved to a change of mind; for you were grieved in a G.o.dly manner, to suffer injury from us in nothing. [7:10]For G.o.dly sorrow produces a change of mind to salvation not to be repented of; but the sorrow of the world produces death. [7:11]For behold, this same thing, that you grieved in a G.o.dly manner, how great diligence it produced in you, what a defense, what indignation, what fear, what desire, what zeal, what a punishment! In every thing you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

21 [7:12]If therefore I wrote to you, it was not on account of him that did the wrong, nor on account of him that suffered wrong, but that our diligence in your behalf might be manifest before G.o.d. [7:13]On this account we were comforted. And in addition to our comfort, we rejoiced more abundantly for the joy of t.i.tus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all; [7:14]for if I had boasted of you to him I was not ashamed, but as we said all things to you in truth, so also the boasting of you to t.i.tus was truth. [7:15]And his affection is more abundant for you, remembering the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling you received him. [7:16]I rejoice that I have confidence in you in every thing.

CHAPTER II.

A CONTRIBUTION SOLICITED FOR THE SAINTS AT JERUSALEM.

1 [8:1]AND I make known to you, brothers, the grace of G.o.d given to the churches of Macedonia, [8:2]that in much trying affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality. [8:3]For according to their ability, I testify, and beyond their ability, of their own accord, [8:4]with much entreaty they desired of us the favor of a partic.i.p.ation in the service to the saints; [8:5]and not as we hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of G.o.d, [8:6]so that we requested t.i.tus, as he before began, that he would complete also this charity with you.

[8:7]But as you abound in every thing, in faith, and speech, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love for us, [we desire]

that you may abound in this grace also.

2 [8:8]I do not speak by command, but on account of the diligence of others, and to prove the genuineness of your love; [8:9]for you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sakes he became poor, though rich, that you by his poverty might be rich. [8:10]And in this case I give an opinion; for this is expedient for you, who began before to act in this matter and to act willingly a year ago. [8:11]And now, therefore, perform the doing also, that as there was a readiness to will, so also there may be a performance from what you have. [8:12]For if there is a willing mind, a man is acceptable according to what he has, and not according to what he has not. [8:13]Not that others may be relieved and you burdened, [8:14]but that there may be an equality; that at the present time your abundance may supply their deficiency, and that their abundance may supply your deficiency, that there may be an equality, [8:15]as it is written; He that [gathered] much had nothing over, and he that [gathered] little had no deficiency.

3 [8:16]But thanks be to G.o.d, who put this care for you into the heart of t.i.tus, [8:17]for he received the exhortation, and being extremely diligent went to you of his own accord. [8:18]And we sent with him the brother, whose praise in the gospel is in all the churches, [8:19]and not only so, but he has also been chosen by the churches as our travelling companion in this charity ministered by us for the glory of the same Lord and our prompt.i.tude, [8:20] guarding against this, that no one may blame us in this abundance administered by us; [8:21]for we provide things honorable not only before the Lord, but also before men.

[8:22]And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have often proved in many services to be diligent, and who is now much more diligent from the great confidence in you. [8:23]If [any one inquires] respecting t.i.tus, he is my companion and co-laborer for you; if our brothers, they are apostles of churches and the glory of Christ. [8:24]Show them therefore the proof of your love, and of our boasting of you before the churches.

4 [9:1]For concerning the service for the saints it is superfluous for me to write to you; [9:2]for I know your readiness, of which I boasted in your behalf to the Macedonians that Achaia was ready a year ago, and your zeal has excited many. [9:3]But I sent the brothers, that our boasting of you may not be in vain in this respect, as I said you were prepared, [9:4]lest if the Macedonians should come with me and find you unprepared, we, not to say you, should be ashamed of this confidence.

[9:5]I thought it necessary, therefore, to exhort the brothers to go to you before, and to make ready your free gift before announced, that it may be ready as a free gift and not as an exaction.