Part 31
(12)But if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you, that there is no resurrection of the dead? (13)But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither is Christ risen: (14)and if Christ be not risen, vain indeed is our preaching, and vain also your faith. (15)Yea, and we also are found false witnesses for God; because we have testified on the behalf of God, that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if indeed the dead are not raised. (16)For if the dead are not raised, neither is Christ risen: (17)and if Christ be not risen, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. (18)Then also they who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. (19)If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are more miserable than all other men.
(20)But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first-fruit of those who have fallen asleep. (21)For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. (22)For as in Adam all are dead, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. (23)But every one in his own rank: Christ the first-fruit; afterwards those that are Christ's at his appearing. (24)Then cometh the end, when he shall deliver up the kingdom to God, and the Father; when he shall have destroyed every dominion and every authority and power. (25)For he must reign, until he hath put all enemies under his feet. (26)The last enemy shall be destroyed, death. (27)For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, that all things are put under him, it is evident that there is an exception of him, who subjected all things to him. (28)But when he shall have put all things under him, then also the Son himself shall be subjected to him who put all things under him, that God may be all in all. (29)Else what will they do who are baptised? for the dead, if wholly dead they rise no more. Why are they then baptised for the dead? (30)and why do we also expose ourselves to danger every hour? (31)I solemnly declare by all the joy over you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. (32)If after the manner of men I have fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, of what advantage would it be to me, if the dead did not rise again? shall we eat and drink; because to-morrow we die? (33)Be not deceived: evil conversations corrupt good manners. (34)Awake as the righteous, and sin not; for some have an ignorance of God: I speak this to your shame.
(35)But will any man say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? (36)Thou fool! what thou sowest is not quickened except it die: (37)and that which thou sowest, thou sowest not the body which shall be afterwards, but the bare grain, perhaps of wheat, or of some of the other seeds: (38)but God giveth it a body as he pleaseth, and to each of the seeds its peculiar body.
(39)All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, and another flesh of cattle, and another of fishes, and another of birds. (40)Also there are celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and that of the terrestrial another.
(41)There is one glory of the sun; and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for star differeth from star in glory. (42)So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: (43)it is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: (44)it is sown an animal body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is an animal body, and there is a spiritual body. (45)And so it is written, There was a first man Adam a living soul; a last Adam a quickening spirit. (46)But that which is spiritual was not first, but that which is animal; and afterward that which is spiritual. (47)The first man was of the earth, earthly; the second man was the Lord from heaven. (48)As is the earthly, so are they also that are earthly: and as is the heavenly, such also are they that are heavenly. (49)And as we have borne the image of the earthly, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
(50)But this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God: neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. (51)Behold, I shew you a mystery; we shall not indeed all sleep, but we shall all be changed, (52)in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (53)For that which is corruptible must put on incorruption, and that which is mortal must put on immortality. (54)So when that which is corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and that which is mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying which is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. (55)O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (56)The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. (57)But thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (58)Wherefore, my beloved brethren, be stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
CHAP. XVI.
NOW concerning the collection which is for the saints, as I have given an order to the churches of Galatia, so also do ye. (2)On the first day of the week let every one of you set apart with himself, treasuring it up, whatsoever he may please to give, that when I come there may be then no gatherings. (3)But when I come, whosoever you shall approve by letters, those will I send to carry your charity to Jerusalem. (4)But if it be of importance that I should go also, they shall go with me. (5)Now I will come unto you when I have passed through Macedonia (for I am passing through Macedonia); (6)and perhaps I shall abide with you, yea and winter with you, that you may send me forward whithersoever I go. (7)For I will not see you now in passing, but I hope to remain some considerable time with you if the Lord permit. (8)But I shall abide at Ephesus until the Pentecost: (9)for there is opened to me a great door, and effectual, and there are many adversaries.
(10)But if Timothy come, see that he may be among you without fear: for he worketh the Lord's work, as I also do. (11)Let no man therefore treat him with disrespect; but forward him on his way in peace, that he may come to me; for I expect him with the brethren.
(12)As concerning brother Apollos, I besought him much that he would come to you with the brethren; but it was not at all his wish to come at this time: but he will come when he can find a good opportunity.
(13)Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, be manful, be strong. (14)Let all your concerns be transacted in love.
(15)Now I exhort you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the first fruits of Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints:) (16)wherefore submit yourselves to such, and to every one that worketh with us and laboureth.
(17)I rejoice in the arrival of Stephanas, and Fortunatus, and Achaicus; because what was lacking from you, they have supplied. (18)For they have refreshed my spirit and yours; respect therefore such men.
(19)The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church which is in their house. (20)All the brethren salute you. Salute one another with a holy kiss.
(21)The salutation of Paul with mine own hand. (22)If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema, Maranatha.
(23)The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. (24)My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
The first epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi by Stephanas, and Fortunatus, and Achaicus, and Timothy.
THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS.
CHAP. I.
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: (2)grace unto you, and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
(3)Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and God of all consolation; (4)who 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. (5)Because as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so through Christ aboundeth also our consolation. (6)But 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. (7)And our hope of you is sure, knowing that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so also of the consolation.
(8)For 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: (9)for 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. (10)Who from so imminent a prospect of death hath delivered us, and still delivers: in whom we trust also that he will yet deliver us: (11)ye 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.
(12)For 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. (13)For 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. (14)As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your glory, as also ye are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.
(15)And in this confidence I was intending to come unto you a second time, that ye might receive a second blessing; (16)and through you to pass into Macedonia, and again from Macedonia return unto you, and by you to be forwarded on my journey towards Judea. (17)Such 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? (18)But as sure as God is true, our word to you was not yea and nay. (19)For 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; (20)for all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, to the glory of God by us.
(21)Now he that confirmeth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; (22)who also hath put his seal upon us, and given us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
(23)But I appeal to God as a witness unto my soul, that to spare you I have not yet come to Corinth: (24)not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow-helpers of your joy; for by faith ye stand.
CHAP. II.
BUT I prescribed to myself this rule, not to come again to you with sorrow. (2)For if I make you sorry, who is he that maketh me glad, but he that is made sorrowful by me? (3)And 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. (4)For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears, not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly towards you.
(5)Now if any person hath given cause for grief, he hath not grieved me _merely_, but partly all of you; that I may add no farther burden. (6)Sufficient for such person is that chastisement which hath been inflicted by the majority of you. (7)Wherefore, on the contrary, ye rather ought to forgive and comfort him, lest such a one be swallowed up with excess of sorrow. (8)Wherefore I exhort you to confirm your love towards him. (9)For to this end also have I written, that I may know by this proof of you if ye are obedient in all things. (10)But 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, (11)that no advantage be gained over us by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his devices.
(12)But when I came to Troas to preach the Gospel of Christ, though a door was opened unto me by the Lord, (13)I 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. (14)But 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. (15)For we are a sweet odour of Christ to God in those who are saved, and in those who perish. (16)To 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? (17)For 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.
CHAP. III.
DO we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some, commendatory letters to you, or commendatory letters from you? (2)Ye are our letter written in our hearts, acknowledged and read of all men: (3)because 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. (4)And such confidence have we through Christ towards God: (5)not that we are sufficient of ourselves to account any thing of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God. (6)Who 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.
(7)For 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, though _soon_ evanescent; (8)how much more will not the ministry of the Spirit be attended with glory? (9)For if the ministry of condemnation is glory, much more doth the ministry of righteousness excel in glory. (10)For that which was glorious hath no glory, comparatively, because of the glory which excelleth. (11)For if that which was abolished came in a glorious manner, much more is that which remaineth glorious.
(12)Having therefore such a hope, we use much freedom of speech. (13)And _act_ not 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. (14)But 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. (15)For unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is spread over their hearts. (16)Nevertheless, when Israel shall turn unto the Lord, the veil shall be taken away.
(17)Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (18)And we all with face unveiled, beholding the glory of the Lord _reflected_ as in a mirror, according to the same image, receive a transformation from glory into glory, as by the Lord, the Spirit.
CHAP. IV.
THEREFORE having this ministry, as we have obtained mercy, we faint not; (2)but 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. (3)And if now our gospel be hid, it is hid from those who are lost: (4)among 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. (5)For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. (6)For 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. (7)But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the transcendent excellence of the power might be of God, and not of us.
(8)We are afflicted on every side, yet not reduced to extremities; under difficulties, yet not in despair; (9)persecuted, yet not abandoned; cast down, but not destroyed; (10)always bearing about in the body the death pangs of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body. (11)For 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. (12)Wherefore death indeed is working in us, but life in you.
(13)Having then the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore I have spoken[101], we also believe, and therefore speak; (14)knowing that he who raised up our Lord Jesus Christ, will raise up us also through Jesus, and present us together with you. (15)For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace, through the thanksgiving of more persons, may more abound to the glory of God.
(16)Therefore we never faint; for though our outward man decay, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. (17)For our momentary light affliction worketh for us a transcendently far more exceeding eternal weight of glory; (18)whilst 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.
CHAP. V.
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. (2)For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our mansion which is from heaven; (3)that so invested, we may not be found naked. (4)For 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.
(5)But he that hath wrought us for this very thing is God, who also hath given us the earnest of the spirit. (6)Therefore 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.) (8)We are confident indeed, and with pleasure expect to go out from the body, and to dwell within with the Lord: (9)wherefore also our ambition is, that whether dwelling in the body, or out of the body, we may be acceptable to him.
(10)For 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. (11)Knowing 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.
(12)For 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. (13)For if we are transported out of ourselves, it is for God; or if we are sober-minded, it is for your sake. (14)For the love of Christ constraineth us, because we judge thus, that if one died for all, then were all dead: (15)and he died for all, that they who live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him that died for them, and rose again.
(16)Wherefore 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. (17)Wherefore if any person be in Christ, he is a new creation: the old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (18)But all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; (19)namely, 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. (20)Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God exhorted you by us; we entreat you for Christ's sake, be ye reconciled to God. (21)For 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.
CHAP. VI.
WE then as labourers with him, exhort you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain: (2)for he saith, "In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I succoured thee [102]." Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (3)Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: (4)but in every thing approving ourselves as ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in straits, (5)in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings, (6)in purity, in knowledge, in long-suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, (7)by the word of truth, by the power of God, with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left, (8)through honour and dishonour, through evil report and good report: as deceivers, yet true men; (9)as unknown, though well known; as dying, and lo! we live; as chastened, yet not given over to death; (10)as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
(11)Our mouth is opened unto you, O Corinthians! our heart is enlarged. (12)Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels. (13)Let us have a like return; I speak as unto children; be ye also enlarged.
(14)Be not unequally yoked with infidels; for what participation hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what fellowship _is there_ between light and darkness? (15)and what concord of Christ with Belial? or what share hath he that believeth with an infidel? (16)or 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 people[103]." (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 you[104], (18)and I will be as a father unto you, and ye shall be to me for sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty[105]."
CHAP. VII.
HAVING therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (2)Give us a favourable reception: we have injured no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man. (3)I speak not for your condemnation, for I have already said, that ye are in our hearts to die and live together. (4)Great 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.
(5)For when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side; without were fightings; within were fears. (6)But God that comforteth the lowly comforted us by the coming of Titus: (7)and 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.