2nd Corinthians 

Agreeing with God

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2^nd Corinthians 1

Greetings

¹Thank You for Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through Your will, O God, and for Timothy our brother. Thank You also for Your assembly which was at Corinth, with all the saints who were in the whole of Achaia: ²Thank You for the grace and peace to them and to me from You, our God and Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Comfort in Affections

³Blessed be You, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; ⁴Who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by You.

⁵For I agree that as the sufferings of Christ abounded to Paul and his company, even so their comfort also abounded through Christ. ⁶But if they were afflicted, it is for our comfort and salvation. If they were comforted, it is for our comfort, which produces in us the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer.

⁷Paul’s hope for us was steadfast, knowing that, since I am a partaker of the sufferings, so also am I of the comfort. ⁸For Paul did not desire to have us uninformed, Father, concerning their affliction which happened to them in Asia, that they were weighed down exceedingly, beyond their power, so much that they despaired even of life. ⁹Yes, I agree that they themselves had had the sentence of death within themselves, that they should not trust in themselves, but in You Who raises the dead, ¹⁰Who delivered them out of so great a death, and does deliver; on Whom I (like Paul) have set my hope that You will also still deliver me; ¹¹others also helping together on my behalf by their supplication; that, for the gift bestowed on me (like Paul) by means of many, thanks may be given by many persons on my behalf.

Boasting

¹²For I affirm that Paul’s boasting was this: the testimony of his conscience, that in holiness and Your sincerity, O God, not in fleshly wisdom but in Your grace, Paul’s group behaved themselves in the world, and more abundantly toward the Corinthian

Christians.

¹³For he wrote no other things to them, than what they read or even acknowledge, and he hoped they would acknowledge to the end; ¹⁴as also they acknowledged him in part, that he was their boasting, even as they also were his, in the day of our Lord Jesus.

¹⁵In this confidence, Paul was determined to come first to the Corinthian Church, that they might have a second benefit; ¹⁶and by them to pass into Macedonia, and again from Macedonia to come to them, and to be sent forward by them on his journey to Judea.

Yes & No

¹⁷When Paul, therefore, was thus determined, he did not show fickleness. Or the things that he purpose, he did not purpose according to the flesh. I believe that Paul did not say “Yes, yes” when he meant “No, no.”

¹⁸But as You are faithful, my word (like Paul’s word) toward the Christians is not “Yes and no.” ¹⁹For Your Son, O God, Jesus Christ, Who was preached among them by Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, was not “Yes and no,” but in Him is “Yes.” ²⁰For however many are Your promises, O God, in Him is the “Yes.” Therefore, also through Him is the “Amen,” to Your glory  through us.

Benediction

^2[1]Now, You Who establish me with others in Christ, and anointed us, are God; ²²Who also sealed us, and gave us the down payment of Your Spirit in our hearts.

Correction

²³But I also know that Paul called You for a witness to his soul, that he did not come to Corinth to spare them. ²⁴Not that he had lordship over their faith, but that he and his companions were fellow workers with them for their joy. For they stood firm in faith.

 

2^nd Corinthians 2

by him? ³And he wrote this very thing to them, so that, when he came, he would not have sorrow from them of whom he ought to have joy; having confidence in them all, that his joy would be shared by all of them.

⁴For I accept that out of much affliction and anguish of heart Paul wrote to them  with many tears, not that they should be made sorry, but that they might know the love that he had so abundantly for them. ⁵But if any one had caused sorrow, it was the man causing trouble that Paul wrote about in his first letter. Paul had not wanted to be too hard on them. He had shared their sorrow. ⁶Paul said that now the man had been punished sufficiently by their united disapproval; ⁷so that on the contrary they should rather forgive him and comfort him, so that he might not become bitter and discouraged and not be able to recover.  ⁸Therefore, I agree with Paul that it is right to show people like this man that we still love them. ⁹For to this end Paul also wrote, that he would know how far they would go to be obedient in all things. ¹⁰Now, Paul also forgave whomever they forgave of anything. For if indeed Paul had forgiven anything, he forgave that man for their sakes by Christ’s authority. ¹¹I agree that it is so important that no advantage may be gained over us by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his schemes.

The Gospel

¹²Now when Paul came to Troas to preach the Good News of Christ, and even when a door of opportunity was opened to him in You, Lord, ¹³he had no rest for his spirit, because he did not find Titus, his brother, but he left them and he went out into Macedonia.

¹⁴Now, thanks be to You, Who always lead me (like You lead Paul) in triumph in Christ, and reveal through me the sweet aroma of Your knowledge in every place. ^[2]5For I (like Paul) am a sweet aroma of Christ to You, my God, in those who are saved. And to those who perish; ¹⁶I (also like Paul) am a stench from death to death; to the others a sweet aroma from life to life. Who is adequate for this task? ¹⁷For I am not like so many others who just peddle Your Word, O God. But I (like Paul) am a person of integrity, sent by You, with Your eye on me, speaking with Christ’s authority.

 

2^nd Corinthians 3

Heart of Flesh

read by all people; ³being revealed that I am a letter of Christ, served by others like Paul, written not with ink, but with Your Spirit, O living God; not in tablets of stone, but in tablets that are my heart of flesh. ⁴ I have such confidence through Christ toward You; ⁵not that I am sufficient of myself, to account anything as from myself; but my sufficiency is from You, my God; ⁶Who also made me sufficient as a servant of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the Spirit. For I affirm that the letter kills, but Your Spirit gives life.

Glory

⁷But if the service of death, written engraved on stones, came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look steadfastly on the face of Moses for the glory of his face; which was passing away: ⁸I believe that the service of Your Spirit is with much more glory.

⁹For I harmonize that if the plan that lead to condemnation has glory, the service that makes us right with You exceeds much more in glory. ¹⁰For most certainly the glory that You made shine on Moses’ face is so far surpassed by the overwhelming glory of Your new covenant. ¹¹For if that old system that passes away had glory, I agree that Your new covenant remains and has much more glory.

¹²Having, therefore, such a hope, I (like Paul) use great boldness of speech, ¹³and not as Moses, who put a veil on his face, that the children of Israel would not look steadfastly on the end of that which was passing away. ¹⁴But their minds were hardened, for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains, because in Christ it passes away.

¹⁵But I agree that to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on peoples hearts. ¹⁶But whenever one turns to You, Lord, the veil is taken away. ¹⁷Now, I know that You, Lord, are Spirit and where Your Spirit is, there is liberty. ¹⁸But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror Your glory, O Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from Your Spirit.

 

2^nd Corinthians 4

Clay Vessel

¹Therefore, seeing that Paul’s team had this ministry, even as they obtained mercy, they did not give up. ²But I agree that they had not tricked people into believing, nor used crafty methods, nor handled Your Word, O God, deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth they commended themselves to every person’s conscience in Your sight. ³Even if their Good News was veiled, it was veiled in those who perish; ⁴because Satan, the god of this world, has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the Good News of the glory of Christ, Who is Your image, O God, should not dawn on them.

⁵For I (like Paul) do not preach myself, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and myself as Your servant for Jesus’ sake; ⁶seeing it is You, Father, Who said, “Light will shine out of darkness.” You have shone in my heart, to give the light of the knowledge of Your glory  in the face of Jesus Christ.

⁷But I (also like Paul) have this treasure in a clay vessel, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of You, my God, and not from myself. ⁸I choose to be like Paul who was pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, yet not to despair; ⁹pursued, yet not forsaken; struck down, yet not destroyed; ¹⁰always carrying in the body the putting to death of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in my body (as it was in Paul’s body).

¹¹For I understand that Paul’s team was in constant danger of death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus would be revealed in their mortal flesh. ¹²So then death worked in them, but life in others including me. ¹³But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, “I believed, and therefore, I spoke.” I also believe, and, therefore, also I speak; ¹⁴knowing that You Who raised the Lord Jesus will raise me also with Jesus, and will present me with other Christians.

¹⁵For I agree that all things are for my sake, that the grace, being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound to Your glory, O God. ¹⁶Therefore, (like Paul and his team) I do not faint, but though my outward person is decaying, yet my inward person is renewed day by day.

¹⁷For my light affliction, which is for the moment, works for me more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory; ¹⁸while I do not look 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.

 

2^nd Corinthians 5

Earthly House

¹For I know (like Paul knew) that when the earthly tent of my body is taken down, I have a building from You, my God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens. ²For most certainly in this I groan, longing to be clothed with my new body which is from heaven; ³if so be that being clothed I will not be found as a spirit without a body.

⁴For indeed we who are in this tent do groan, being burdened; not that we desire to be dead and therefore, unclothed of a body, but that we desire to be clothed with a new body, that these dying bodies may be swallowed up by eternal life. ⁵Now, You are God and You made me for this very thing. You also gave to me the down payment guarantee of Your Spirit.

⁶Therefore, I choose to always be confident and know that while I am at home in my body, I am absent from You, Lord; ⁷for I walk by faith, not by sight. ⁸I am courageous, I say with Paul, and am willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with You, Lord.

⁹Therefore, also I make it my aim, whether at home or absent, to be well pleasing to You. ¹⁰For we must all be revealed before the judgment seat of Christ; that each one of us may receive the things in the body, according to what each of us has done, whether good or bad.

¹¹Knowing therefore, the fear of You, Lord, we persuade people, but You know our hearts; and I hope that my pure heart is revealed also in other Christians’ consciences.

¹²For I (like Paul) am not commending myself to other Christians, but I speak (as he did) as giving others occasion of boasting on my behalf, that they may have something to answer those who boast in how they look, and not in pure honest hearts.

¹³For if Paul acted crazy, it was for You, his God. Or if he was very serious, it was for the Corinthian Christians. ¹⁴For I agree that the love of Christ constrained Paul. I reason this way just like Paul did, that One died for all, therefore, all died. ¹⁵He died for all, that we who live, should no longer live to ourselves, but to Him Who for our sakes died and rose again.

New Creation

¹⁶Therefore, I choose to not evaluate people by how they appear on the outside. Even though Paul had mistakenly known Christ by human appearance, yet now I know (as Paul knew) Jesus for Who He is. ¹⁷Therefore, because I am in Christ, I am a new creation. The old things have passed away. I behold that all things have become new.

Ministry of Reconciliation

¹⁸But I agree that all things are of You, O God, Who reconciled me to Yourself through Jesus Christ, and gave to me along with others the ministry of reconciliation; ¹⁹namely, that You were in Christ restoring the world to Yourself, not charging our trespasses to us, and committing to us the ministry of reconciliation.

²⁰I am, therefore, an ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though You were entreating by me: I beg others on behalf of Christ, to be reconciled to You.

Your Righteousness in Jesus

²¹For You made Him Who knew no sin to be sin on my behalf; so that I might become Your righteousness, O God, in Jesus.

 

2^nd Corinthians 6

Paul’s Suffering

¹Working together with others like Paul, I also entreat You that others not receive Your

grace in vain, ²for You  say,

“At an acceptable time I listened to you, in a day of salvation I helped you.”

I agree that now is the acceptable time. I behold that now is the day of salvation. ³I choose to not be the cause of stumbling in anything, that my service may not be blamed, ⁴but in everything I choose to present myself, as Your servant, as Paul did in great endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, ⁵in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in labors, in watchings, in fastings; ⁶in pureness, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in sincere love, ⁷in the word of truth, in Your power, O God; by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, ⁸by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; ⁹as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, Paul and his team lived; as punished, and not killed; ¹⁰as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

¹¹Paul’s mouth was open to the Corinthians. His heart was enlarged. ¹²They were not restricted by him, but they were restricted by their own affections. ¹³Now in return, Paul spoke as to his children. He wanted their ears to  be wide open.

Equally Yoked

¹⁴I agree that believers should not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For there is no fellowship between righteousness and iniquity. I see that there is no fellowship between light with darkness. ¹⁵There is no harmony that Christ has with the devil. I understand that there is no portion that can be shared between a believer with an unbeliever. ¹⁶There can be no agreement between Your temple and with idols. For we are Your temple, O living God. Even as You said, “I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” ¹⁷Therefore, “‘Come out from among them, and be separate,’ You says, Lord.

‘Touch no unclean thing.

I will receive you.

¹⁸I will be to you a Father.

You will be to me sons and daughters,’

You say, Lord Almighty.”

 

2^nd Corinthians 7

Paul’s Team

¹Having, therefore, these promises, Father, I choose to cleanse myself from everything wrong, whether of my body or my spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of You, my God. ²Paul ask us to open your hearts to Paul and his team. They had wronged no one. They had  corrupted no one. They took advantage of no one. ³Paul said this not to condemn us, for he had said before, that we were in their hearts to die with us and to live with us.

⁴Great is my boldness of speech (like Paul’s was) toward other Christians. Great is my boasting on other’s behalf. I (like Paul) am filled with comfort. I choose to overflow with joy in all my affliction.

⁵For I concur that even when Paul’s group had come into Macedonia, their flesh had no relief, but they were afflicted on every side. Fightings were outside. Fear was inside. ⁶Nevertheless, You Who comfort the lowly, O God, comforted them by the coming of Titus; ⁷and not by his coming only, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in the Corinthian Christians, while Titus told Paul of their longing, their mourning, and their zeal for Paul; so that he rejoiced still more.

Sorry to Repentance

⁸For though Paul made the Corinthians sorry with his letter, he did not regret it, though on the other hand, he did regret it. For he saw that his letter made them sorry, though just for a while. ⁹He then rejoiced, not that they were made sorry, but that they were made sorry to repentance. For they were made sorry in a godly way, that they might not suffer any loss by Paul.

¹⁰For I agree with Paul that godly sorrow works repentance to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world works death. ¹¹For I behold, this same thing, that the Corinthian saints were made sincerely sorry in a godly way. How earnestly they took care of the problem! Yes, what defense, indignation, fear, longing, zeal, and vengeance! In everything they demonstrated themselves to be pure in the matter.

¹²So although Paul wrote to Corinth, he wrote not for the cause of the man that did the wrong, nor for the cause of the person that suffered the wrong, but that the Christian’s earnest care for Paul and his companions might be shown to You, O God.

Encouragement

¹³Therefore, Paul’s team had been encouraged. In that encouragement they rejoiced the more exceedingly for Titus’ joy, because his spirit had been refreshed by all the Corinthian Christians. ¹⁴For if in anything Paul had boasted to Titus on the Corinthians behalf, I agree that Paul was not disappointed. But as he spoke to them in truth, so Paul’s glorying also which he made before Titus was proved to be truth. ¹⁵I understand that Titus really loved them, while he continually talked of their prompt obedience, how with their willing hospitality they received him. ¹⁶I know that Paul rejoiced that everything was alright and that he was confident of his relationship with them.

 

2^nd Corinthians 8

Offerings

¹Moreover, I (like Paul) make known to others Your grace, O God, like that which had been given in the churches of Macedonia; ²how that in much trouble they were very happy though desperately poor. This resulted in their liberal giving to others. ³For according to their ability, I (with Paul) testify, yes and beyond their ability, they gave more than they could afford, ⁴begging Paul’s team insistently to take their money and to let them share in the joy of helping the Jerusalem Christians. ⁵I agree that this was not as Paul had expected, but first they gave their own selves to You, Lord, and to Paul’s group through Your will, O God. ⁶So Paul asked Titus, who had encouraged their giving in the first place, to visit them again, so he would also complete in the Christians of Corinth their part this relief ministry.

⁷But I choose to be like the Christians who prosper in everything, in faith, preaching, knowledge, enthusiasm, and in our love to others. Help me see that I am also prospering in cheerful giving. ⁸I agree that Paul spoke not to order the Corinthians to give. He just wanted to challenge them to prove the sincerity also of their love by mentioning  the earnest offerings of the Macedonians. ⁹For I also know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for my sake He became poor, that I through His poverty might become rich. ¹⁰Paul told what he thought about this. He believed that it was best for those, who were the first to start giving a year ago, to finish what they had began.

Giving

¹¹Paul then wanted them to complete that which they had set out to do. I understand that the Corinthian Christians were ready and willing to give to the Jerusalem Christians.  He wanted them to complete this project also out of their ability. ¹²For if the readiness was there, Paul knew that it would be acceptable to You for them to give according to what they had, not according to what they did not have. ¹³I agree that this was not that others may be eased and the Corinthians distressed, ¹⁴but for equality. Their abundance at that present time supplied the lack of other Christians and the abundance of other Christians also might become a supply for the Corinthians lack at another time. I agree that there should be equality. ¹⁵As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.”

¹⁶But I thank You, my God, Who put the same real concern for the saints at Corinth into the heart of Titus as Paul had. ¹⁷For he indeed accepted Paul’s suggestion, but being himself very eager to see them, he went out to Corinth of his own accord. ¹⁸I understand that Paul’s team had sent together with Titus another brother whose praise in the Good News was known through all the assemblies. ¹⁹Not only so, but who was also appointed by the assemblies to travel with them in this grace, which was served by Paul to Your glory, Lord Yourself, and to show Paul’s eagerness to help. ²⁰I also understand that Paul’s team was avoiding any suspicion by traveling together, that no one should find fault with the way they were handling this large gift. ²¹They wanted everyone to know that they were honest, not only in Your sight, O Lord, but also in the sight everyone else.

²²I understand that they had sent with Paul’s team still another brother, whom they knew from experience to be a real Christian. He was very interested to go with them because Paul told him of the Corinthians eagerness to help.

²³I also understand that Paul wanted everyone to know that Titus was his partner and fellow worker for them. The other two brothers were to be accepted as apostles of the assemblies, the glory of Christ.

²⁴Therefore, the Christians of Corinth were to show their love to them in front of the assemblies just as Paul had boasted that they would.

 

2^nd Corinthians 9

¹I realize (with Paul) that it was indeed unnecessary for him to write more to Corinth concerning their  helping of the Jerusalem Christians, ²for he knew that they were eager to do it, of which he boast on their behalf to the Christians of Macedonia, that Achaia had been prepared since last year. The

Corinthians’ zeal had stirred up very many of them.

³But Paul had sent the brothers to make sure that they were prepared just as Paul had said that they would have their offering ready, ⁴so that he would not be embarrassed, if there came with him any of Macedonia and find them unprepared. I agree that Paul’s team and the Corinthians would be disappointed in any slipups. ⁵I understand why Paul thought it was necessary to ask the brothers that they would go on ahead, and arrange the generous gift that Corinth had promised before, that their gift would be on hand waiting not being hurried or forced.

⁶I remember (as Paul did) that: “The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. The person who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” ⁷I agree to let each person give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for You, O God, love a cheerful giver. ⁸And You are able to make it up to us by causing all grace to abound, that we, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work. ⁹As it is written in the Psalms, “He has scattered abroad, he has given to the poor. His righteousness remains forever.”

Benediction

¹⁰Now may You Who supply seed to the sower and bread for food, supply and multiply our seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of our righteousness. ¹¹You will enriched our lives so that we can give much away, which will produce through us thanksgiving to You.

Offerings

¹²For I agree that two things happened because of the money given by the Corinthian Christians to the Jerusalem Christians:  those in need were helped and much praise and thanksgiving was given to You, O God. ¹³I want my relief giving to be seen as proof that my deeds and my doctrine match, and that others glorify You, my God, for my obedience to the Good News of Christ, and for the generosity of my contribution to those in need; ¹⁴while they themselves also, with fervent prayer on my behalf, want good things for me because of Your exceeding grace in me. ¹⁵Now thanks be to You, my God, for Your unspeakable gift!

 

2^nd Corinthians 10

Your Weapons of War

¹Now I see how that Paul, himself, entreated the Christians (including me) by the humility and gentleness of Christ; because some of the Corinthian saints thought Paul to be forceful even harsh in his letters to them, but they thought that he would be gentle even weak when he came in person. ²Yes, I understand how that Paul begged them that he would not, when present, have to be bold, courageous, and confident. He would be against some, who considered Paul’s group were just ordinary men.

³For I want to be like Paul though I am a weak human being. I do not wage war according to human methods; ⁴for the weapons of my warfare are not weapons made by people, but Your mighty weapons to the throwing down of evil strongholds, ⁵throwing down proud arguments and every high wall that is keeping people from knowing You, my God.

I choose to bring every thought and emotion into captivity to be obedient to Christ; ⁶and to be ready to bring disobedient people back to You, when I am fully obedient. ⁷I do not want to look at things only as they appear in front of my face. I want to trust in myself that I am Christ’s. I also consider this again with myself, that, even as I am Christ’s, so also Paul’s team were Christ’s.

Your Authority

⁸For I agree that Paul should boast somewhat abundantly concerning his authority, (which You, Lord, gave for building Christians up, and not for casting us down.)

I realize that Paul was disappointed, ⁹because some thought that he wanted to terrify them by his letters. ¹⁰For, “His letters,” some said, “are potent and strong, but in person he is weak, and does not preach well.” ¹¹I am a person who considers this, that Paul spoke through words by letters when he was absent, and he spoke through deeds in person when he was present.

¹²For I choose (like Paul) to not be bold to number or compare myself with some of those who commend themselves; because they themselves, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are not wise. ¹³But I (like Paul) will not boast of authority that I do not have, but to be within the plan that  You have provided for me, which includes reaching out to others.

¹⁴For I understand that Paul did not go too far in claiming authority over the Corinthian Christians because he and his group had first come to them with the Good News of Christ. ¹⁵I agree that Paul was not boasting about work that someone else had done, but he had hoped that as their faith grew, his ministry would be abundantly enlarged by them in his sphere of influence.

^[3]6I also agree that Paul wanted to preach the Good News even to the places beyond Corinth and did not want to boast in what someone else has already done. ¹⁷But I choose to believe (like Paul) that “anyone who boasts, let him boast in You, Lord.” ¹⁸For it is not the person who commends himself who is approved, but whom You, O Lord, commend.

 

2^nd Corinthians 11

False Teachers

Corinthian Church as a pure virgin to Christ. ³But he was afraid that somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve in his craftiness, so their minds might be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

⁴For I agree with Paul that if anyone comes preaching another Jesus, whom Paul and his team did not preach, or if any of us receive a different spirit, which we did not receive, or a different way to be saved, which we did not accept, we must not put up with that teaching at all.

⁵For I reckon that Paul was not at all inferior to these “apostles from You,” as they called themselves. ⁶But though Paul was unskilled in speech, yet he was not unskilled in knowledge. No, in every way he had proved himself again and again in all things.

⁷Nor do I think that Paul did wrong and cheapened himself, because he preached to them Your Good News free of charge. ⁸I see how that Paul thought that he robbed other assemblies, taking wages from them, that he might serve Corinth.

⁹When Paul was living in Corinth he was in need, yet he was not a burden on anyone, for the brothers, when they came from Macedonia, supplied the things that he needed. I agree that in everything he kept himself from being burdensome to anyone, and he continued to do so. ¹⁰As the truth of Christ was in Paul, no one could stop him from this boasting in the regions of Achaia. ¹¹Why? Because he did not love them? You know, O God, that he did.

¹²But I understand that Paul did what he did so that he might cut out the ground from under the feet of those who boast, that they were just like Paul. ¹³For such men were false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as Christ’s apostles. ¹⁴And no wonder, for even Satan masquerades as an angel of light. ¹⁵It is no great thing’ therefore’ if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness, who appear as godly ministers.

¹⁶Paul asked again and I agree to let no one think him foolish. But if so, yet let us see him as foolish, that he also might boast a little. ¹⁷That which he wrote next, he did not write according to You, Lord, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting. ¹⁸Seeing that many boast after the flesh, Paul also boasted.

¹⁹For I agree that some of the Corinthian Christians gladly listened to foolish people who pretended to be wise. ²⁰For they followed people who brought them into bondage, took everything that they had, made them slaves, exalted themselves, and slapped them on the face.

²¹I understand that Paul apologized for understating himself, as though He and his companions had been weak. Yet, however, I know that Paul was as bold as anyone.  I (like Paul) may be speaking foolishly.

Paul

²²I thank You that Paul was a Hebrew; an Israelite; of the seed of Abraham; ²³and a servant of Christ. I speak (like Paul did) as one beside myself. Paul was more so; in labors more abundantly, in prisons more frequently, in stripes above measure, in deaths often. ²⁴Five times from the Jews he received forty stripes minus one. ²⁵Three times he was beaten with rods. Once he was stoned. Three times he suffered shipwreck. He had been a night and a day in the deep. ²⁶He had been in travels often, perils of flooded rivers, perils of robbers, perils from his countrymen, perils from the Gentiles, perils in the city, perils in the wilderness, perils in the sea, perils among false brothers; ²⁷in labor and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, going without food often, and not having enough clothing to keep him warm. ²⁸Besides those things that were outside, there was that which presses on him daily, his concern for all the assemblies.

²⁹I believe that Paul was sad when anyone was weak. I think that Paul was mad when anyone was caused to stumble. ³⁰I also think that if Paul had to boast, he would boast of the things that showed his weakness. ^3[4]O God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, You Who are blessed forevermore, know that Paul did not lie. ³²In Damascus the governor under King Aretas guarded the city of the Damascenes desiring to arrest Paul. ³³Through a window he was let down in a basket by the wall, and escaped his hands.

 

2^nd Corinthians 12

revelations from You, Lord. ²I believe that Paul knew a man in Christ, fourteen years before he wrote this epistle (whether in the body, he did know, or whether out of the body, he did not know; God, You know), such a one caught up into the third heaven. ³He knew such a man (whether in the body, or outside of the body, he did not know; but God, You know), ⁴how he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a person to tell. ⁵On behalf of such a one he did boast, but on his own behalf he did not boast, except in his weaknesses. ⁶For if he had desired to boast, he would not have been foolish; for he would speak the truth. But I agree that Paul refrained, so that no person might think more of Paul than that which he saw in him, or heard from him.

⁷I understand that because of the exceeding greatness of the revelations and that Paul should not be exalted excessively, there was given to him a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment him, that he should not be exalted excessively. ⁸Concerning this thing, I believe that Paul begged You, Lord, three times that it might depart from him. ⁹You had said to him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”

I want to most gladly, therefore, be like Paul who would rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.

¹⁰Therefore, (like Paul) I take pleasure in weaknesses, in hardships, in insults, in persecutions, in difficulties, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then (like him) I am strong.

¹¹I agree that Paul had become foolish in boasting. They should have been writing good things about Paul rather than causing him to write about himself. For I agree that in nothing was Paul inferior to those who claimed to be the very best apostles, though he considered himself nothing. ¹²I truly affirm that the signs of a person being an apostle were worked among the Corinthian

Christians in all patience, in signs and wonders and mighty works by Paul.

¹³For I accept that the only way Corinth was inferior to the rest of the assemblies was that Paul had not asked them for any living expenses. He had not wanted to be a burden to them, yet he asked them to forgive him of the wrong of not charging them.

Reproof

¹⁴Behold, I understand that Paul was ready to come to them a third time and still not charge them, for he did not want their money. He wanted them.

For Paul told them that children do not support their parents, but the parents provide for their children. ¹⁵I agree that Paul was most gladly prepared to spend and to be spent for their spiritual good. It seems to me that the more Paul loved them the less they loved him. ¹⁶But even so, I realize that he still did not make himself a burden them.

But, I see how that some of the Corinthians thought Paul was crafty and deceptive. They thought that Paul was making money off of them someway though they did not know how. ¹⁷Paul asked them if he took advantage of them by anyone of those whom Paul had sent to them. ¹⁸Paul had exhorted Titus, and he sent the brother with him. He asked if Titus took any advantage of them. I agree that Paul and Titus walked in the same spirit. They were in step together.

¹⁹Again, Paul asked if they thought that he was making excuses for himself to get back in their good graces. In Your sight, O God, Paul spoke to help them and to build them up in Christ. ²⁰For I am afraid (as Paul was) that by any means, when he came, he might find them not the way he wanted to, and that he would have to act in a manner that they would not like.

I agree that Paul was afraid that he would find strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts, riots. ^2[5]He feared that when he came, You, O God, would humble him before the Corinthians, and he would have to mourn because many of those who had sinned became sinners, and not repented of the uncleanness and sexual immorality and lustfulness which they committed.

2^nd Corinthians 13

wrote to those who had sinned before then, and to all the rest, that, if he came again, he would not spare them. ³I see that the Corinthians sought some proof that Christ was speaking through Paul. Jesus was not weak, but was powerful in them. ⁴For I agree that Jesus was crucified through weakness, yet He lives through Your power, O God.

For I (like Paul) am also weak in Jesus, but I live with Him through Your power, my God toward others. ⁵I agree to test my own self, whether my faith is solid. I choose to give myself spiritual checkups. I do not want to take for granted that Jesus Christ is in me—I need first hand evidence not mere hearsay. ⁶But I hope (like Paul did) that I will not discover that I am a pretend Christian.

⁷Now I pray to You that I do no evil; not so as to feed my pride, but that others may also do that which is right, though I (like Paul’s team) may be despised. ⁸For I want to be like Paul who would do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. ⁹For I choose to be like Paul who rejoiced when he was weak and others were strong. And I also pray (as he did) that others become mature Christians.

¹⁰For I agree that Paul wrote these things while he was absent, that he might not deal sharply with them when he was present.  I understand that he wanted to use the authority which You gave him for building up, and not for tearing down.

Benediction

¹¹Finally, Father, Please help all of us to rejoice, to become mature, to be comforted, to be of the same mind, to live in peace, and to let You, the God of love and peace,  be with us.

Greetings

¹²Thank You that we can greet other Christians with proper affection. ¹³Thank You that other saints can greet us.

Benediction

¹⁴May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, Your love, O God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all. Amen.

 

[1] But I concur that Paul determined this for himself, that he would not come to the Corinthian Christians again in sorrow. ²For if he make them sorry, then who would make him glad except those who were made sorry

[2] I do not accept that Paul was beginning again to commend himself. Or did he need to, as some people do, like letters of commendation to the Corinthians or from them. ²I (with the Corinthian Christians) am Paul’s letter, written in my heart, known and

[3] I agree to grant Paul’s wish that we would be patient with him in a little foolishness, but indeed I do bear with him. ²For I see how that Paul was jealous over Corinth with a godly jealousy. For he had married them to one husband, that he might present the

[4] It was doubtless not profitable for Paul to boast. For he would come to visions and

[5] This is the third time Paul was coming to Corinth. Paul quoted the Scriptures, “At the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.” ²He had said beforehand, and was saying beforehand again, just as he did when he was with them on his second visit, so now, being absent, he