OF
PAUL THE APOSTLE
TO THE
CORINTHIANS.
PAUL an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy a brother, to the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:2grace unto you, and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and God of all consolation;4who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we might be able to comfort those who are in all tribulation, by the consolation with which we ourselves are comforted of God.5Because as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so through Christ aboundeth also our consolation.6But whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectually wrought by patient endurance of the same sufferings which we also suffer; or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.7And our hope of you is sure, knowing that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so also of the consolation.
8For we would not have you ignorant, brethren, of the tribulation which came to us in Asia, that above measure we have been burdened beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life:9for we ourselves, in ourselves have received the sentence of death, that we should have no confidence in ourselves, but in God who raiseth the dead.10Who from so imminent a prospect of death hath delivered us, and still delivers: in whom we trust also that he will yet deliver us:11ye also labouring together for us in prayer, that from many persons thanks may be given on our behalf for the gifts bestowed on us by many.
12For our glorying is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with carnal wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and peculiarly towards you.13For we write no other things to you than those which you know and acknowledge; and I trust also ye will acknowledge them even to the end.14As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your glory, as also ye are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.
15And in this confidence I was intending to come unto you a second time, that ye might receive a second blessing;16and through you to pass into Macedonia, and again from Macedonia return unto you, and by you to be forwarded on my journey towards Judea.17Such then being my intention, did I indeed change it with levity? or the things which I purpose, do I purpose after the flesh, that with me there should be yea, yea, and nay, nay?18But as sure as God is true, our word to you was not yea and nay.19For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silvanus and Timotheus—was not yea and nay, but there was yea in him;20for all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, to the glory of God by us.
21Now he that confirmeth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;22who also hath put his seal upon us, and given us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
23But I appeal to God as a witness unto my soul, that to spare you I have not yet come to Corinth:24not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow-helpers of your joy; for by faith ye stand.
BUT I prescribed to myself this rule, not to come again to you with sorrow.2For if I make you sorry, who is he that maketh me glad, but he that is made sorrowful by me?3And I have written unto you for this very purpose, that I might not, when I come to you, have sorrow from those in whom I ought to rejoice, having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.4For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears, not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly towards you.
5Now if any person hath given cause for grief, he hath not grieved memerely, but partly all of you; that I may add no farther burden.6Sufficient for such person is that chastisement which hath been inflicted by the majority of you.7Wherefore, on the contrary, ye rather ought to forgive and comfort him, lest such a one be swallowed up with excess of sorrow.8Wherefore I exhort you to confirm your love towards him.9For to this end also have I written, that I may know by this proof of you if ye are obedient in all things.10But to whomsoever ye forgive any thing, so do I; and if I forgive any thing, to whom I forgive, for your sakes I do it, in the person of Jesus Christ,11that no advantage be gained over us by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his devices.
12But when I came to Troas to preach the Gospel of Christ, though a door was opened unto me by the Lord,13I had no test in my spirit on my not finding there Titus my brother: so taking my leave of them I went forth unto Macedonia.14But thanks be to God, who causeth us always to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.15For we are a sweet odour of Christ to God in those who are saved, and in those who perish.16To the one we are the odour of death unto death, to the other the odour of life unto life: and who is sufficient for these things?17For we are not as the many, adulterating the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God, speak we in Christ.
DO we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some, commendatory letters to you, or commendatory letters from you?2Ye are our letter written in our hearts, acknowledged and read of all men:3because ye are manifestly seen to be the letter of Christ, of which we have been the secretaries, written not with ink, but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tables of stone, but on the fleshly tables of the heart.4And such confidence have we through Christ towards God:5not that we are sufficient of ourselves to account any thing of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God.6Who hath made us also able ministers of the new testament, not of the letter but of the spirit; for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
7For if the ministry of death in letters graven on stone, was attended with glory, so that the children of Israel could not keep their eyes fixed upon the countenance of Moses, because of the glory of his countenance, thoughsoonevanescent;8how much more will not the ministry of the Spirit be attended with glory?9For if the ministry of condemnation is glory, much more doth the ministry of righteousness excel in glory.10For that which was glorious hath no glory, comparatively, because of the glory which excelleth.11For if that which was abolished came in a glorious manner, much more is that which remaineth glorious.
12Having therefore such a hope, we use much freedom of speech.13Andactnot as Moses who spread a veil over his face, in order that the children of Israel might not look stedfastly to the end of that which should be abolished.14But their understandings were darkened: for unto this day the same veil in their reading the old testament abideth unremoved; which veil is taken away by Christ.15For unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is spread over their hearts.16Nevertheless, when Israel shall turn unto the Lord, the veil shall be taken away.
17Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.18And we all with face unveiled, beholding the glory of the Lordreflectedas in a mirror, according to the same image, receive a transformation from glory into glory, as by the Lord, the Spirit.
THEREFORE having this ministry, as we have obtained mercy, we faint not;2but have renounced all shameful secret practices, not conducting ourselves with artifice, nor deceitfully disguising the word of God, but by clear manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man’s conscience as in the presence of God.3And if now our gospel be hid, it is hid from those who are lost:4among whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelievers, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dart its bright beams upon them.5For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.6For the God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, he hath shined into our hearts, to give illumination of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the transcendent excellence of the power might be of God, and not of us.
8We are afflicted on every side, yet not reduced to extremities; under difficulties, yet not in despair;9persecuted, yet not abandoned; cast down, but not destroyed;10always bearing about in the body the death pangs of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body.11For we who are yet alive are continually delivered up to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus may be made manifest in our mortal flesh.12Wherefore death indeed is working in us, but life in you.
13Having then the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore I have spoken101, we also believe, and therefore speak;14knowing that he who raised up our Lord Jesus Christ, will raise up us also through Jesus, and present us together with you.15For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace, through the thanksgiving of more persons, may more abound to the glory of God.
16Therefore we never faint; for though our outward man decay, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.17For our momentary light affliction worketh for us a transcendently far more exceeding eternal weight of glory;18whilst we direct our aim not to the things which are seen, but to the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporary, but the things that are not seen are eternal.
FOR we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle should be taken down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.2For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our mansion which is from heaven;3that so invested, we may not be found naked.4For we which are in this tabernacle, groan, being burdened; wherein we desire not to be unclothed, but clothed upon, that what is mortal may be swallowed up of life.
5But he that hath wrought us for this very thing is God, who also hath given us the earnest of the spirit.6Therefore we have always confidence, and know that whilst we are indwelling in the body, we are absent from the Lord:7(for we walk by faith, not by sight.)8We are confident indeed, and with pleasure expect to go out from the body, and to dwell within with the Lord:9wherefore also our ambition is, that whether dwelling in the body, or out of the body, we may be acceptable to him.
10For we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ, that each may receive the things done in the body according to what he hath done, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.11Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we have been made manifest to God, and I hope also have been made manifest in your consciences.
12For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion of glorying on our behalf, that ye may have an answer for those who glory in countenance, and not in heart.13For if we are transported out of ourselves, it is for God; or if we are sober-minded, it is for your sake.14For the love of Christ constraineth us, because we judge thus, that if one died for all, then were all dead:15and he died for all, that they who live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him that died for them, and rose again.
16Wherefore from the present moment know we no man after the flesh: yea though we have also known Christ after the flesh, yet so henceforth know we him no more.17Wherefore if any person be in Christ, he is a new creation: the old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.18But all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;19namely, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing to them their offences: and hath committed to us the word of reconciliation.20Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God exhorted you by us; we entreat you for Christ’s sake, be ye reconciled to God.21For he hath made him, who knew no sin, to be a sin offering for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in him.
WE then as labourers with him, exhort you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain:2for he saith, “In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I succoured thee102.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.3Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:4but in every thing approving ourselves as ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in straits,5in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings,6in purity, in knowledge, in long-suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,7by the word of truth, by the power of God, with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left,8through honour and dishonour, through evil report and good report: as deceivers, yet true men;9as unknown, though well known; as dying, and lo! we live; as chastened, yet not given over to death;10as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
11Our mouth is opened unto you, O Corinthians! our heart is enlarged.12Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.13Let us have a like return; I speak as unto children; be ye also enlarged.
14Be not unequally yoked with infidels; for what participation hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what fellowshipis therebetween light and darkness?15and what concord of Christ with Belial? or what share hath he that believeth with an infidel?16or what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, “I will inhabit in them, and walk about in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be for me a people103.”17“Wherefore go forth from the midst of them, and be ye separated, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean; and I will receive you104,18and I will be as a father unto you, and ye shall be to me for sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty105.”
HAVING therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.2Give us a favourable reception: we have injured no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.3I speak not for your condemnation, for I have already said, that ye are in our hearts to die and live together.4Great is my freedom of speech to you, great is my glorying over you: I am filled with consolation, I overflow with joy in all our tribulation.
5For when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side; without were fightings; within were fears.6But God that comforteth the lowly comforted us by the coming of Titus:7and not by his coming only, but also by the consolation wherewith he had been comforted among you, declaring to us your fervent desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced the more.
8For if I grieved you by a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that this letter made you sorry, though but for a season.9Now I rejoice, not that ye have been made sorrowful, but that ye have sorrowed unto repentance; for ye have been made sorry in a godly manner, that ye might receive damage from us in nothing.10For sorrow of a godly sort worketh repentance unto salvation never to be repented of, but worldly sorrow worketh death.11For behold this very thing, that ye were made sorry after a godly manner, how great diligence did it produce in you! yea, what apologizing! yea, what indignation! yea, what fear! yea, what earnest desire! yea, what zeal! yea, what vengeance! In every step ye have approved yourselves as pure in this affair.
12And indeed though I wrote unto you, I did it notmerelyfor his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause who had suffered the injury, but that our diligent attention for you might be more abundantly manifested to you in the presence of God.13Therefore we were comforted in your consolation; and exceeding abundantly the more rejoiced we in the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.14For if I have boasted of you to him in any thing, I am not ashamed; but as we have spoken all things to you in truth, so our boasting of you to Titus hath been found truth.15And his bowels more abundantly yearn over you, when he remembers the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.16I rejoice therefore that in every thing I have confidence in you.
NOW we inform you, brethren, of the grace of God which hath been bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;2that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy, and their deep poverty, hath more abounded to the riches of their liberality.3For unto their power, I bear them witness, and above their power, they were voluntarily readyto give:4with much entreaty praying us that we would receive the gift, andundertakethe communication of the contribution for the saints.5And notmerelyas we hoped, but gave themselves first to the Lord, and to us according to the will of God.6So that we exhorted Titus, that as he had been active before, so also he would perfect in you this grace also.7So as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and elocution, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.
8I speak not by commandment, but because of the forwardness of others, and to prove the genuineness of your love.9For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sake he became poor though he was rich, that ye by his poverty should be made rich.10And in this I give my opinion: for this is expedient for you, who have before begun not only to do, but also to be willing a year ago.11Now then accomplish also the doing it, that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be also to perform out of that which ye have.12For if there is first a ready mind, a man is acceptable according to what he hath, and not according to what he hath not.13For I mean not that there should be ease for others and a burden on you;14but that according to equality, your abundance on the present occasion should afford a supply for their deficiency, that their abundance also may supply your deficiency, that there may be equality.15According as it is written, “He thatgatheredmuch had no more than others, and he whogatheredlittle, had no less106.”
16But thanks be to God, who put the same solicitude for you into the heart of Titus.17For he received in deed the exhortation, but being more diligent, of his own ready mind he went unto you.18We have sent with him also a brother, whose praise in the gospel isspreadthrough all the churches;19and not only so, but who was chosen by the churches as my fellow-traveller with this charity, ministered by us to the glory of the same Lord, andto shewyour ready mind.20Avoiding this, that no man should lay any blame to us in this abundance which is administered by us:21providing what is fair, not only before the Lord, but also before men.22And we have sent with him our brother, whom we have often experienced in many things to be a man of diligence, but now much more diligent, through the great confidence which I have in you.23Ifany inquireconcerning Titus, he is my companion and fellow-labourer to you; or our brethrenbe inquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.24Therefore shew unto them, and in the presence of the churches, a proof of your love, and of ourjustboasting in you.
NOW concerning the contribution for the saints, it is superfluous for me to write unto you.2For I know your readiness of mind, for which I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia had made preparation a year ago; and your zeal hath stirred up very many.3But I have sent the brethren, that our glorying in you might not be vain in this matter; that as I have said, ye may be prepared.4Lest haply if the Macedonians come with me, and find you unprepared, we (not to say, you) may be confounded in this confidence of boasting. I5have thought it necessary therefore to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and prepare before your promised bounty, that it may be ready as a matter of bounty, and not asextortedof covetousness.
6But this I add, He that soweth sparingly, shall reap also sparingly, and he that soweth bountifully, shall reap also bountifully.7Let every man, as he hath purposed in heart, give, not with reluctance or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver.8And God is able to make all grace abound towards you; that in every case having always all sufficiency, ye may abound unto every good work:9as it is written, “He hath scattered abroad, he hath given to the poor, his righteousness abideth for ever107.”10Now he that supplieth seed to the sower, shall also supply bread for food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness,11being in every thing enriched unto all liberality, whichcausethby us thanksgiving to God.12For the ministration of thischaritableservice not only abundantly supplies the deficiencies of the saints, but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God;13(while by the evidence of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberality towards them, and towards all men;)14and with their prayers for you, greatly longing after you, on account of the transcendent grace of God in you.15Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift.
NOW I Paul myself exhort you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who, when present, am indeed lowly among you, but being absent, am bold towards you.2But I pray, that when I am present I may not be bold with the confidence with which I purpose to act resolutely against some who think of us, as if we walked after the flesh.3For though we walk in the flesh, we war not after the flesh:4for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God for the casting down the strong holdsof corruption;5laying low proud reasonings, and every high thing which exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and making every thought captive to the obedience of Christ:6and holding ourselves ready to avenge every act of disobedience, when your obedience is fully proved.7Regard ye the things that are personal? If any man is confident in himself that he is Christ’s, let him reflect again in himself, that as he is Christ’s, so are we Christ’s.8Yea, and if I should boast somewhat more highly of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for your edification, and not for your destruction, I shall not be ashamed;9that I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.10For his letters indeed, say they, are weighty and forcible, but his bodily presence is feeble, and his speech contemptible.11Let such a man be assured of this, that such as we are by word in our letters when absent, such also will we be in deed when we are present.12For we will not presume to put ourselves on the level, or compare ourselves with some who vaunt themselves; but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, have no understanding.13But we will not glory in things beyond our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath marked out for us—a measure that hath reached even unto you.14For we stretch not our pretensions beyond bounds, as though we reached not unto you; for we have advanced even unto you in the gospel of Christ:15not boasting ourselves unmeasurably in other men’s labours; but having hope that when your faith is increased, we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule for more abundant usefulness,16to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to arrogate glory in another man’s line for things already prepared.17But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.18For not he who commendeth himself is approved, but he whom the Lord commendeth.
IWISH ye would bear with me a little in my foolishness, yea indeed bear with me.2For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy; for I have espoused you to one husband, to present you a chaste virgin to Christ.3But I fear lest as the serpent beguiled Eve by his craftiness, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity which belongs to Christ.4For if he indeed that cometh preach another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not embraced, ye might well bear with him.5For I reckon myself to be nothing inferior to the very chief of the apostles.6For though I may be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but on every occasion we have been made manifest in all things among you.
7Am I chargeable with a fault (humbling myself that you might be exalted), that I preached to you the gospel of God freely?8I plundered other churches, receiving a provision from them, in order to minister to you.9And when I was with you, and in want, I was burdensome to no man; for my want the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied; and on every occasion I have kept myself from being burdensome, and will keep myself.10I protest, by the truth of Christ in me, that from this boasting no man shall seal up my lips in the regions of Achaia.11Wherefore? Because I love you not? God knoweth.12But what I do, I will do also, that I may cut off occasion from those who desire occasion, that wherein they boast, they may be found even as we.13For such are fake apostles, deceitful labourers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.14And no marvel! For Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.15It is no wonder therefore if his ministers also be transformed as ministers of righteousness; whose end will be according to their works.16I repeat it again, Let no man suppose that I am a fool; but if otherwise, then as a fool receive me, that I too may boast myself a little.17What I speak, I speak not after the Lord, but as it were in folly in this confidence of boasting.18Seeing many boast themselves after the flesh, I will boast also.19For ye bear with fools easily when you are wise yourselves.20For ye bear if a man enslave you, if a man eat you up, if a man receive from you, if a man is insolent, if a man smite you on the face.21I speak with reference to the reproachcast on me, as though we were feeble; but wherein any man is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am bold also.22Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.23Are they the ministers of Christ? (I speak foolishly) I am abovethem: in labours more abundantly, in stripes exceedingly more, in prisons more frequently, in the most immediate danger of death often.24Of the Jews five times I have received forty stripes save one.25Thrice I have been scourged with rods, once I have been stoned, thrice I have suffered shipwreck, a whole night and day I have passed in the deep;26in journeyings often, in perils of rivers, in perils of robbers, in perils from my own countrymen, in perils from the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the desert, in perils on the sea, in perils among false brethren;27in labour and travail, in watchings often, in fastings frequently, in hunger and thirst, in cold and nakedness;28and beside all these things from without, that accumulated burden which cometh on me daily, the care of all the churches.29Who is feeble, and am I not feeble? Who is offended, and am I not on fire?30If I must glory, I will glory in the things which respect my infirmities.31The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.32In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king guarded the city of the Damascenes, intending to seize me;33and through a window in a basket I was let down by the wall, and escaped out of his hands.
IT is not expedient doubtless for me to boast. I will yet come to visions and revelations of the Lord.2I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body I know not, or whether out of the body I know not: God knoweth;) such a one was caught up unto the third heavens.3And I knew such a man, (whether in the body or out of the body I know not: God knoweth,)4that he was caught up into paradise, and heard ineffable words, which it is not permitted to man to speak.5Of such a one will I boast; but in myself will I not boast, save in my infirmities.6For though I should be disposed to boast, I shall not be a fool; for I shall speak truth: but I desist, lest any man think of me above what he seeth me to be, or what he heareth of me.7And that I might not be lifted up above measure by the transcendent greatness of the revelations, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, the angel Satan, to buffet me, that I might not be lifted up above measure.8For this thrice I besought the Lord, that he might depart from me.9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may fix its residence in me.10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then am I strong.
11Have I become a fool in boasting? ye have compelled me; for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing have I been inferior to the very chief apostles, though I be nothing.12The signs indeed of an apostle have been wrought among you in all patience, in miracles, and wonders, and mighty deeds.13For what is there wherein ye have been inferior to the other churches, except that I have not been burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong.14Lo! I hold myself ready the third time to come unto you, and I will not burden you; for I seek not yours but you: for the children ought not to lay up treasure for their parents, but the parents for the children.15And I will most cheerfully spend and be spent for your souls, though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.
16But admit it, I was not burdensome to you: but being crafty, I caught you with guile.17Did I make a gain of you by any one individual whom I sent unto you?18I entreated Titusto go to you, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make any advantage of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?
19Think ye that we are again making an apology to you? In the sight of God speak we in Christ: but all things, beloved, for your edification.20For I am afraid that when I come I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found of you such as ye would not: lest haply there be contentions, jealousies, animosities, quarrels, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:21and lest when I come to you again, my God should bow me down, and I should lament over many who have sinned before, and have not repented of the impurities, and whoredom, and lasciviousness which they have committed.
THIS third time I am coming to you: by the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every charge be established.2I have told you before, and I repeat it, as when I was present the second time, and now absent, I write to those who have sinned already, and to all the rest, that if I come again, I will not spare you:3since ye demand a proof that Christ speaketh in me, who to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.4For though he was crucified in weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God: for we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of Goddisplayedtowards you.
5Examine yourselves, whether ye are in the faith; prove your ownselves: know ye not your ownselves, that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobate?6But I hope that ye shall know that we are not reprobate.7Now I pray unto God that ye do no evil, not that we should appear approved, but that you may do that which is laudable, though we should be as reprobates.8For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.9For we rejoice when we are weak, but ye are strong: and this also we pray for, even your perfect establishment.10For this cause, though absent, I have written these things, that when I am present I may not use severity, according to the power which the Lord hath given me for edification, and not for destruction.
11Finally, brethren, rejoice: be perfectly united together, be comforted, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.12Salute one another with a holy kiss.13All the saints salute you.14The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all. Amen.
The second epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi, a city of Macedonia, by Titus and Luke.
EPISTLE of PAUL the APOSTLE,
TO THE
GALATIANS.
PAUL the apostle (notsentfrom men, nor by man, but by Jesus Christ, and our Father who raised him from the dead),2and all the brethren with me, to the churches of Galatia:3grace unto you, and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ;4who gave himself for our sins, that he might pluck us out of this present wicked world, according to the will of God and our Father:5to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
6I marvel that ye are so quickly departed from him that called you, by the grace of Christ into another gospel7which is not another; but there are certain persons who trouble you, and desire to pervert the gospel of Christ.8But though even we, or an angel from heaven, preach unto you another gospel, different from that which we have preached to you, let him be an anathema.9As we have before spoken, and I now repeat it again, If any man preach a gospel different from that ye have received, let him be anathema.10For do I now use persuasions from men, or from God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
11But I give you to understand, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not a merely human ministry.12For I neither received it from man, nor was taught, but by immediate revelation from Jesus Christ.13For ye have heard of my former manner of life, when I professed Judaism, that in the most outrageous manner I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:14and signalized myself in Judaism above many of those of my own age among my countrymen, being more exceedingly a zealot for the traditions of my fathers.15But when it pleased God, who selected me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace,16to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach the glad tidings of him to the nations, immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood,17nor went up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.18Afterwards at the expiration of three years I went up unto Jerusalem to pay a visit to Peter, and I abode with him fifteen days.19But I saw no other of the apostles except James, the Lord’s brother.20Now respecting the things which I write unto you, behold, in the presence of God, I lie not.21Afterwards I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;22and I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea, which are in Christ:23only they had heard, that he who persecuted us in time past, now preaches the faith which he once laid waste.24And they glorified God on my behalf.
FOURTEEN years afterwards I again went up to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also along with us.2And I went up then by revelation, and laid before them that gospel which I preach among the Heathen, but in private conference with those who were of the first importance, that haply I might not run, nor had run in vain.3And even Titus, who was with me, though a Greek, was not compelled to be circumcised:4but this I did because of false brethren artfully introduced, who came to pry into our liberty which we hold in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:5to whom not even for an hour have we yielded subjection, that the truth of the gospel might abide with you.6But from those who appeared men of the greatest importance, (what sort of men soever they were it maketh no difference to me: God accepteth not a man’s person;) for these important personages in conference added nothing to me;7but contrariwise when they saw that I was entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcision, as Peter was to the circumcision:8(for he that wrought powerfully by Peter in his apostolic mission to the circumcision, wrought mightily also by me among the Gentiles.)9And when they knew the grace which was bestowed on me, James and Cephas and John, who appeared to be the pillarsof the church, gave unto me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go unto the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision:10only desiring that we would remember the poor—the very thing which I have also been diligent to perform.
11But when Peter came to Antioch I withstood him to his face, because he was blameable.12For before certain persons came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles, but when they were come, he withdrew, and separated himself, fearing those of the circumcision.13And the other Jews were guilty of the same dissimulation with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy.14But when I saw that they walked not directly according to the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest as the Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to judaize?15We who are Jews by descent, and not sinners sprung from Gentiles,16knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law; because by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.17For if seeking to be justified by Christ, we also ourselves should be found sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? God forbid.18For if I build up again the very same things which I have pulled down, I stamp myself a transgressor.
19For I through the law am dead to the law, that I should live unto God.20I am crucified with Christ, yet I live; though no more I, but Christ liveth in me: and my present life in the flesh, is a life by faith in the Son of God, who hath loved me, and delivered up himself for me.21I do not set at nought the grace of God; for if righteousness came by the law, truly Christ hath died in vain.
OINFATUATED Galatians, who hath bewitched you that ye should not obey the truth? To whom Jesus Christ has been described, as before your eyes, crucified among you.2This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or from hearing of the faith?3Are ye so senseless? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect in the flesh?4have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.
5He therefore who ministereth to you a supply of the Spirit, and powerfully worketh miracles among you, doth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of the faith?6as Abraham believed in God, and it was imputed to him for righteousness.7Know then that they who are of faith, these are the children of Abraham.8And the scripture foreseeing that by faith God would justify the Gentiles, preached the gospel before unto Abraham, saying, that “In thee shall all the nations be blessed108.”9Wherefore they who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.
10For as many as are of the works of the law, are under a curse: for it is written, “Cursed is every one who continueth not in all the things written in the book of the law to do them109.”11But that by the law no man is justified before God is evident: because “The just by faith shall live110.”12Now the law is not by faith: but “The man that doeth these things shall live by them111.”13Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, “Cursed is every one who is hanged on a tree112:”14that unto the Gentiles the benediction pronounced on Abraham might come by Jesus Christ, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit by faith.
15Brethren, I speak humanly; to use a similitude, a man’s testament, if it be passed in legal form, no man can vacate, or add thereunto.16But to Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his seed. He saith not, To seeds, as unto many persons; but as to an individual, and to thy seed, which is Christ.17Now this I say, the covenant confirmed of God to Christ, the law, which was given three hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, so as to vacate the promise.18For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more by promise; but to Abraham God gave it freely by promise.
19To what end then was the law given? It was given on account of transgressions, until that seed should come to whom the promise was made, being delivered through the ministry of angels into the hand of a mediator.20But the mediator of the oneseedhe is not, though God is one.
21Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? God forbid. For if there had been a law given which was capable of procuring life, verily righteousness would have been by the law.22But the scripture hath shut up all things under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
23But before the faith came, we were in ward under the law, shut up together for the faith that should be revealed.24Wherefore the law was our conductor, as of children, to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.25But when faith was come, we were no longer under a pædagogue.26For ye are all the sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.27For as many of you as have been baptised into Christ, have been invested with Christ.28There is no more Jew or Gentile, there is no more slave or freeman, there is no more male or female: but ye are all one in Christ Jesus.29But if ye are Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
NOW I affirm, that as long as the heir is an infant, he differeth nothing from a servant, though he be master of all;2but is under tutors and trustees until the time fixed by his father.3So we also, when we were infants, were in bondage under the first elementary principles of the world:4but when the fulness of time was come, God sent forth his Son born of a woman, born under the law,5that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.6But because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father!7Therefore thou art no more a slave, but a son, and if a son, an heir also of God through Christ.
8But at that time when ye knew not God, ye served those who by nature are not gods.9But now after having known God, or rather being known of God, how turn ye back again to those weak and beggarly elements, to which again a second time ye desire to be in bondage?10Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.11I am afraid for you, lest haply I have bestowed on you labour in vain.
12Be as I am, for I also am as ye are, brethren—this is my request to you: ye have not injured me in the least.13Ye know that with infirmity of flesh I preached to you the gospel at the first.14And my temptation, which was in my flesh, ye despised not, nor rejected with disgust; but as an angel of God ye received me, even as Christ Jesus himself.15What then was your blessedness, for I bear witness to you that, if it were possible, ye would have plucked out your eyes, and given them to me.16Am I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?
17They affect zeal for you, not honourably; but they wish to exclude us, that you may be zealously attached to them.18It is good indeed to be zealously affected in a good cause always, and not only when I am present with you.
19My little children of whom I travail in birth again, until Christ be formed in you,20I wish I could be with you now, and change my address; for I am in doubt about you.
21Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?22For it is written113that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondwoman, and the other by a free.23Now the son of the bond-maid was born after the flesh, but that by the free woman was by promise.24Which things are allegorical; for these are the two covenants, the one from mount Sinai, gendering unto bondage, which is represented by Agar.25For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds with Jerusalem that now is, and is in bondage with her children.26But the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all.27For it is written, “Rejoice, thou barren who bearest not, cry out and shout for joy, thou that travailest not, for more are the children of her that was desolate, than of her which had an husband114.”28So we, brethren, as Isaac, are the children of the promise.29But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so is it now.30But what saith the scripture? “Cast out the bond-woman and her son for the son of the bond-maid shall in no wise inherit with the son of the free woman115.”31So then, brethren, we are not the children of the bondwoman, but of the free.
STAND fast therefore in the liberty with which Christ has made you free, and be not again held under a yoke of bondage.2Behold, I Paul declare to you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ will be of no advantage to you.3And again, I testify to every man who is circumcised, that he is under an obligation to keep the whole law.4Ye have vacated all expectations from Christ, as many of you as are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.5For we in spirit by faith expect the hope of righteousness.6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but faith exerting its energy by love.7Ye were running well: who hath hindered you that ye should not obey the truth?8This persuasion cometh not from him who called you.9A little leaven leaveneth the whole mass.10I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be no otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear condign punishment whosoever he be.
11But I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? then indeed the offence of the cross is at an end.12I wish that they who trouble you were cut off from you.13For ye have been called unto liberty, brethren; only use not that liberty as a pretext for carnality, but in love be subject one to another.14For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, even in this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.15But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed by one another.
16But I say, Walk in the Spirit, and ye will not fulfil the lust of the flesh.17For the flesh hath appetites contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit contrary to the flesh, and these act in opposition the one to the other: so that ye do not the things which ye would.18But if ye are under the conduct of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are these: adultery, whoredom, impurity, lasciviousness,20idolatry, magical charms, enmities, strifes, jealousies, animosities, quarrels, divisions, heresies,21envyings, murders, drunkenness, revels, and the like of these, concerning which I tell you now, as I have told you already, that they who live in such practices shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, fidelity,23meekness, temperance; against such there is no law.24But they who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and irregular appetites.25If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.26Let us not be vain-glorious, irritating one another, envying one another.
BRETHREN, if a man also be surprised into any act of offence, ye that are spiritual, replace such a one in the spirit of meekness; keeping an attentive eye on thyself, lest thou also be tempted.2Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.3For if any man conceits that he is something when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.4But let every man bring his own work to the test, and then shall he have glorying in himself alone, and notby comparisonwith another.5For every man shall bear his own burden.
6Let him who is a learner of the word communicate to his instructor in all good things.7Be not deceived; God is not to be trifled with: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.8For he that soweth unto his flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption, and he that soweth to the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.9Let us not then be weary of well-doing; for in due time we shall reap, if we faint not.10Well then, whilst we have opportunity, let us do good unto all men, but especially unto those who are of the household of faith.
11Ye see in how many words I have written unto you with my own hand.12As many as wish to make a fair appearance in the flesh, they compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.13For even they who are themselves circumcised do not keep the law, but desire you to be circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.14But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world,15For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.16And as many as shall walk after this rule, peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
17Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear the marks of our Lord Jesus Christ in my body.
18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.
To the Galatians, written from Rome.