Chapter 32

(8)For 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. (9)Now 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. (10)For sorrow of a godly sort worketh repentance unto salvation never to be repented of, but worldly sorrow worketh death. (11)For 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.

(12)And indeed though I wrote unto you, I did it not _merely_ for 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. (13)Therefore 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. (14)For 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. (15)And his bowels more abundantly yearn over you, when he remembers the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him. (16)I rejoice therefore that in every thing I have confidence in you.

CHAP. VIII.

NOW we inform you, brethren, of the grace of God which hath been bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; (2)that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy, and their deep poverty, hath more abounded to the riches of their liberality. (3)For unto their power, I bear them witness, and above their power, they were voluntarily ready _to give_: (4)with much entreaty praying us that we would receive the gift, and _undertake_ the communication of the contribution for the saints. (5)And not _merely_ as we hoped, but gave themselves first to the Lord, and to us according to the will of God. (6)So that we exhorted Titus, that as he had been active before, so also he would perfect in you this grace also. (7)So 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.

(8)I speak not by commandment, but because of the forwardness of others, and to prove the genuineness of your love. (9)For 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. (10)And 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. (11)Now 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. (12)For if there is first a ready mind, a man is acceptable according to what he hath, and not according to what he hath not. (13)For I mean not that there should be ease for others and a burden on you; (14)but 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. (15)According as it is written, "He that _gathered_ much had no more than others, and he who _gathered_ little, had no less[106]."

(16)But thanks be to God, who put the same solicitude for you into the heart of Titus. (17)For he received in deed the exhortation, but being more diligent, of his own ready mind he went unto you. (18)We have sent with him also a brother, whose praise in the gospel is _spread_ through all the churches; (19)and 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, and _to shew_ your ready mind. (20)Avoiding this, that no man should lay any blame to us in this abundance which is administered by us: (21)providing what is fair, not only before the Lord, but also before men. (22)And 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. (23)If _any inquire_ concerning Titus, he is my companion and fellow-labourer to you; or our brethren _be inquired of_, they are the messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ. (24)Therefore shew unto them, and in the presence of the churches, a proof of your love, and of our _just_ boasting in you.

CHAP. IX.

NOW concerning the contribution for the saints, it is superfluous for me to write unto you. (2)For 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. (3)But 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. (4)Lest haply if the Macedonians come with me, and find you unprepared, we (not to say, you) may be confounded in this confidence of boasting. I (5)have 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 as _extorted_ of covetousness.

(6)But this I add, He that soweth sparingly, shall reap also sparingly, and he that soweth bountifully, shall reap also bountifully. (7)Let every man, as he hath purposed in heart, give, not with reluctance or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver. (8)And 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: (9)as it is written, "He hath scattered abroad, he hath given to the poor, his righteousness abideth for ever[107]." (10)Now 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, (11)being in every thing enriched unto all liberality, which _causeth_ by us thanksgiving to God. (12)For the ministration of this _charitable_ service 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;) (14)and with their prayers for you, greatly longing after you, on account of the transcendent grace of God in you. (15)Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift.

CHAP. X.

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. (2)But 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. (3)For though we walk in the flesh, we war not after the flesh: (4)for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God for the casting down the strong holds _of corruption_; (5)laying 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: (6)and holding ourselves ready to avenge every act of disobedience, when your obedience is fully proved. (7)Regard 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. (8)Yea, 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; (9)that I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters. (10)For his letters indeed, say they, are weighty and forcible, but his bodily presence is feeble, and his speech contemptible. (11)Let 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. (12)For 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. (13)But 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. (14)For 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: (15)not 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, (16)to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to arrogate glory in another man's line for things already prepared. (17)But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. (18)For not he who commendeth himself is approved, but he whom the Lord commendeth.

CHAP. XI.

I WISH ye would bear with me a little in my foolishness, yea indeed bear with me. (2)For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy; for I have espoused you to one husband, to present you a chaste virgin to Christ. (3)But I fear lest as the serpent beguiled Eve by his craftiness, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity which belongs to Christ. (4)For 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. (5)For I reckon myself to be nothing inferior to the very chief of the apostles. (6)For 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.

(7)Am I chargeable with a fault (humbling myself that you might be exalted), that I preached to you the gospel of God freely? (8)I plundered other churches, receiving a provision from them, in order to minister to you. (9)And 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. (10)I protest, by the truth of Christ in me, that from this boasting no man shall seal up my lips in the regions of Achaia. (11)Wherefore? Because I love you not? God knoweth. (12)But 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. (13)For such are fake apostles, deceitful labourers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. (14)And no marvel! For Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. (15)It is no wonder therefore if his ministers also be transformed as ministers of righteousness; whose end will be according to their works. (16)I 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. (17)What I speak, I speak not after the Lord, but as it were in folly in this confidence of boasting. (18)Seeing many boast themselves after the flesh, I will boast also. (19)For ye bear with fools easily when you are wise yourselves. (20)For 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. (21)I speak with reference to the reproach _cast on me_, as though we were feeble; but wherein any man is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am bold also. (22)Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. (23)Are they the ministers of Christ? (I speak foolishly) I am above _them_: in labours more abundantly, in stripes exceedingly more, in prisons more frequently, in the most immediate danger of death often. (24)Of the Jews five times I have received forty stripes save one. (25)Thrice 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; (26)in 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; (27)in labour and travail, in watchings often, in fastings frequently, in hunger and thirst, in cold and nakedness; (28)and beside all these things from without, that accumulated burden which cometh on me daily, the care of all the churches. (29)Who is feeble, and am I not feeble? Who is offended, and am I not on fire? (30)If I must glory, I will glory in the things which respect my infirmities. (31)The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not. (32)In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king guarded the city of the Damascenes, intending to seize me; (33)and through a window in a basket I was let down by the wall, and escaped out of his hands.

CHAP. XII.

IT is not expedient doubtless for me to boast. I will yet come to visions and revelations of the Lord. (2)I 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. (3)And I knew such a man, (whether in the body or out of the body I know not: God knoweth,) (4)that he was caught up into paradise, and heard ineffable words, which it is not permitted to man to speak. (5)Of such a one will I boast; but in myself will I not boast, save in my infirmities. (6)For 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. (7)And 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. (8)For this thrice I besought the Lord, that he might depart from me. (9)And 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. (10)Therefore 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.

(11)Have 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. (12)The signs indeed of an apostle have been wrought among you in all patience, in miracles, and wonders, and mighty deeds. (13)For 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. (14)Lo! 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. (15)And I will most cheerfully spend and be spent for your souls, though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.

(16)But admit it, I was not burdensome to you: but being crafty, I caught you with guile. (17)Did I make a gain of you by any one individual whom I sent unto you? (18)I entreated Titus _to 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?

(19)Think 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. (20)For 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: (21)and 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.

CHAP. XIII.

THIS third time I am coming to you: by the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every charge be established. (2)I 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: (3)since ye demand a proof that Christ speaketh in me, who to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you. (4)For 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 God _displayed_ towards you.

(5)Examine 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? (6)But I hope that ye shall know that we are not reprobate. (7)Now 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. (8)For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. (9)For we rejoice when we are weak, but ye are strong: and this also we pray for, even your perfect establishment. (10)For 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.

(11)Finally, 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. (12)Salute one another with a holy kiss. (13)All the saints salute you. (14)The 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.

THE EPISTLE of PAUL the APOSTLE, TO THE GALATIANS.

CHAP. I.

PAUL the apostle (not _sent_ from men, nor by man, but by Jesus Christ, and our Father who raised him from the dead), (2)and all the brethren with me, to the churches of Galatia: (3)grace unto you, and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ; (4)who 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: (5)to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

(6)I marvel that ye are so quickly departed from him that called you, by the grace of Christ into another gospel (7)which is not another; but there are certain persons who trouble you, and desire to pervert the gospel of Christ. (8)But 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. (9)As 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. (10)For 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.

(11)But I give you to understand, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not a merely human ministry. (12)For I neither received it from man, nor was taught, but by immediate revelation from Jesus Christ. (13)For 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: (14)and 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. (15)But when it pleased God, who selected me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, (16)to 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, (17)nor went up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. (18)Afterwards at the expiration of three years I went up unto Jerusalem to pay a visit to Peter, and I abode with him fifteen days. (19)But I saw no other of the apostles except James, the Lord's brother. (20)Now respecting the things which I write unto you, behold, in the presence of God, I lie not. (21)Afterwards I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; (22)and I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea, which are in Christ: (23)only they had heard, that he who persecuted us in time past, now preaches the faith which he once laid waste. (24)And they glorified God on my behalf.

CHAP. II.

FOURTEEN years afterwards I again went up to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also along with us. (2)And 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. (3)And even Titus, who was with me, though a Greek, was not compelled to be circumcised: (4)but 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: (5)to whom not even for an hour have we yielded subjection, that the truth of the gospel might abide with you. (6)But 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; (7)but 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.) (9)And when they knew the grace which was bestowed on me, James and Cephas and John, who appeared to be the pillars _of the church_, gave unto me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go unto the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision: (10)only desiring that we would remember the poor--the very thing which I have also been diligent to perform.

(11)But when Peter came to Antioch I withstood him to his face, because he was blameable. (12)For 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. (13)And the other Jews were guilty of the same dissimulation with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. (14)But 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? (15)We who are Jews by descent, and not sinners sprung from Gentiles, (16)knowing 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. (17)For if seeking to be justified by Christ, we also ourselves should be found sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? God forbid. (18)For if I build up again the very same things which I have pulled down, I stamp myself a transgressor.