Chapter 34

15:37. And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not the body that shall be: but bare grain, as of wheat, or of some of the rest.

15:38. But God giveth it a body as he will: and to every seed its proper body.

15:39. All flesh is not the same flesh: but one is the flesh of men, another of beasts, other of birds, another of fishes.

15:40. And there are bodies celestial and bodies terrestrial: but, one is the glory of the celestial, and another of the terrestrial.

15:41. One is the glory of the sun, another the glory of the moon, and another the glory of the stars. For star differeth from star in glory.

15:42. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption: it shall rise in incorruption.

15:43. It is sown in dishonour: it shall rise in glory. It is sown in weakness: it shall rise in power.

15:44. It is sown a natural body: it shall rise a spiritual body. If there be a natural body, there is also a spiritual body, as it is written:

15:45. The first man Adam was made into a living soul; the last Adam into a quickening spirit.

15:46. Yet that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural: afterwards that which is spiritual.

15:47. The first man was of the earth, earthly: the second man, from heaven, heavenly.

15:48. Such as is the earthly, such also are the earthly: and such as is the heavenly, such also are they that are heavenly.

15:49. Therefore, as we have borne the image of the earthly, let us bear also the image of the heavenly.

15:50. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot possess the kingdom of God: neither shall corruption possess incorruption.

15:51. Behold, I tell you a mystery. We shall all indeed rise again: but we shall not all be changed.

15:52. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet: for the trumpet shall sound and the dead shall rise again incorruptible. And we shall be changed.

15:53. For this corruptible must put on incorruption: and this mortal must put on immortality.

15:54. And when this mortal hath put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory.

15:55. O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?

15:56. Now the sting of death is sin: and the power of sin is the law.

15:57. But thanks be to God, who hath given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

15:58. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast and unmoveable: always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

1 Corinthians Chapter 16

Of collection of alms. Admonitions and salutations.

16:1. Now concerning the collections that are made for the saints: as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, so do ye also.

16:2. On the first day of the week, let every one of you put apart with himself, laying up what it shall well please him: that when I come, the collections be not then to be made.

16:3. And when I shall be with you, whomsoever you shall approve by letters, them will I send to carry your grace to Jerusalem.

16:4. And if it be meet that I also go, they shall go with me.

16:5. Now I will come to you, when I shall have passed through Macedonia. For I shall pass through Macedonia.

16:6. And with you perhaps I shall abide, or even spend the winter: that you may bring me on my way whithersoever I shall go.

16:7. For I will not see you now by the way: for I trust that I shall abide with you some time, if the Lord permit.

16:8. But I will tarry at Ephesus, until Pentecost.

16:9. For a great door and evident is opened unto me: and many adversaries.

16:10. Now if Timothy come, see that he be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do.

16:11. Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct ye him on his way in peace, that he may come to me. For I look for him with the brethren.

16:12. And touching our brother Apollo, I give you to understand that I much entreated him to come unto you with the brethren: and indeed it was not his will at all to come at this time. But he will come when he shall have leisure.

16:13. Watch ye: stand fast in the faith: do manfully and be strengthened.

16:14. Let all your things be done in charity.

16:15. And I beseech you, brethren, you know the house of Stephanus, and of Fortunatus, and of Achaicus, that they are the firstfruits of Achaia, and have dedicated themselves to the ministry of the saints:

16:16. That you also be subject to such and to every one that worketh with us and laboureth.

16:17. And I rejoice in the presence of Stephanus and Fortunatus and Achaicus: because that which was wanting on your part, they have supplied.

16:18. For they have refreshed both my spirit and yours. Know them, therefore, that are such.

16:19. The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house, with whom I also lodge.

16:20. All the brethren salute you. Salute one another with a holy kiss.

16:21. The salutation of me Paul, with my own hand.

16:22. If any man love not our Lord Jesus Christ, let him be anathema, maranatha.

Let him be anathema, maranatha. . .Anathema signifies here a thing accursed. Maran-atha, which, according to St. Jerome and St. Chrysostom, signify, 'The Lord is come' already, and therefore is to be taken as an admonition to those who doubted of the resurrection, and to put them in mind that Christ, the judge of the living and the dead, is come already. Others explain Maran-atha: 'May our Lord come', that is, to judge and punish those with exemplary judgments and punishments, that do not love the Lord Jesus Christ.

16:23. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

16:24. My charity be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

THE SECOND EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS

In this Epistle St. Paul comforts those who are now reformed by his admonitions to them in the former and absolves the incestuous man on doing penance, whom he had before excommunicated for his crime. Hence he treats of true penance and of the dignity of the ministers of the New Testament. He cautions the faithful against false teachers and the society of infidels. He gives an account of his sufferings and also of the favours and graces which God hath bestowed on him. This second Epistle was written in the same year with the first and sent by Titus from some place in Macedonia.

2 Corinthians Chapter 1

He speaks of his troubles in Asia. His not coming to them was not out of levity. The constancy and sincerity of his doctrine.

1:1. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother: to the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints that are in all Achaia:

1:2. Grace unto you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

1:3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort:

1:4. Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we also may be able to comfort them who are in all distress, by the exhortation wherewith we also are exhorted by God.

1:5. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us: so also by Christ doth our comfort abound.

1:6. Now whether we be in tribulation, it is for your exhortation and salvation: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation: or whether we be exhorted, it is for your exhortation and salvation, which worketh the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer.

1:7. That our hope for you may be steadfast: knowing that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so shall you be also of the consolation.

1:8. For we would not have you ignorant, brethren, of our tribulation which came to us in Asia: that we were pressed out of measure above our strength, so that we were weary even of life.

1:9. But we had in ourselves the answer of death, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raiseth the dead.

1:10. Who hath delivered and doth deliver us out of so great dangers: in whom we trust that he will yet also deliver us,

1:11. You helping withal in prayer for us. That for this gift obtained for us, by the means of many persons, thanks may be given by many in our behalf.

1:12. For our glory is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity of heart and sincerity of God, and not in carnal wisdom, but in the grace of God, we have conversed in this world: and more abundantly towards you.

1:13. For we write no other things to you than what you have read and known. And I hope that you shall know unto the end.

1:14. As also you have known us in part, that we are your glory: as you also are ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1:15. And in this confidence I had a mind to come to you before, that you might have a second grace:

1:16. And to pass by you into Macedonia: and again from Macedonia to come to you, and by you to be brought on my way towards Judea.

1:17. Whereas then I was thus minded, did I use lightness? Or, the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that there should be with me, It is, and It is not?

1:18. But God is faithful: for our preaching which was to you, was not, It is, and It is not.

1:19. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, by me and Sylvanus and Timothy, was not: It is and It is not. But, It is, was in him.

It is, was in him. . .There was no inconstancy in the doctrine of the apostles, sometimes, like modern sectaries, saying, It is, and at other times saying, It is not. But their doctrine was ever the same, one uniform yea, in Jesus Christ, one Amen, that is, one truth in him.

1:20. For all the promises of God are in him, It is. Therefore also by him, amen to God, unto our glory.

1:21. Now he that confirmeth us with you in Christ and that hath anointed us, is God:

1:22. Who also hath sealed us and given the pledge of the Spirit in our hearts.

1:23. But I call God to witness upon my soul that to spare you, I came not any more to Corinth: not because we exercise dominion over your faith: but we are helpers of your joy. For in faith you stand.

2 Corinthians Chapter 2

He grants a pardon to the incestuous man upon his doing penance.

2:1. But I determined this with myself, to come to you again in sorrow.

2:2. For if I make you sorrowful, who is he then that can make me glad, but the same who is made sorrowful by me?

2:3. And I wrote this same to you: that I may not, when I come, have sorrow upon sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice: having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.

2:4. For out of much affliction and anguish of heart, I wrote to you with many tears: not that you should be made sorrowful: but that you might know the charity I have more abundantly towards you.

2:5. And if any one have caused grief, he hath not grieved me: but in part, that I may not burden you all.

2:6. To him who is such a one, this rebuke is sufficient, which is given by many.

2:7. So that on the contrary, you should rather forgive him and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.

2:8. Wherefore, I beseech you that you would confirm your charity towards him.

2:9. For to this end also did I write, that I may know the experiment of you, whether you be obedient in all things.

2:10. And to whom you have pardoned any thing, I also. For, what I have pardoned, if I have pardoned any thing, for your sakes have I done it in the person of Christ:

I also. . .The apostle here granted an indulgence, or pardon, in the person and by the authority of Christ, to the incestuous Corinthian, whom before he had put under penance, which pardon consisted in a releasing of part of the temporal punishment due to his sin.

2:11. That we be not overreached by Satan. For we are not ignorant of his devices.

2:12. And when I was come to Troas for the gospel of Christ and a door was opened unto me in the Lord,

2:13. I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but bidding them farewell, I went into Macedonia.

2:14. Now thanks be to God, who always maketh us to triumph in Christ Jesus and manifesteth the odour of his knowledge by us in every place.

2:15. For we are the good odour of Christ unto God, in them that are saved and in them that perish.

2:16. To the one indeed the odour of death unto death: but to the others the odour of life unto life. And for these things who is so sufficient?

The odour of death, etc. . .The preaching of the apostle, which by its fragrant odour, brought many to life, was to others, through their own fault, the occasion of death; by their wilfully opposing and resisting that divine call.

2:17. For we are not as many, adulterating the word of God: but with sincerity: but as from God, before God, in Christ we speak.

2 Corinthians Chapter 3

He needs no commendatory letters. The glory of the ministry of the New Testament.

3:1. Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need (as some do) epistles of commendation to you, or from you?

3:2. You are our epistle, written in our hearts, which is known and read by all men:

3:3. Being manifested, that you are the epistle of Christ, ministered by us, and written: not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God: not in tables of stone but in the fleshly tables of the heart.

3:4. And such confidence we have, through Christ, towards God.

3:5. Not that we are sufficient to think any thing of ourselves, as of ourselves: but our sufficiency is from God.

3:6. Who also hath made us fit ministers of the new testament, not in the letter but in the spirit. For the letter killeth: but the spirit quickeneth.

The letter. . .Not rightly understood, and taken without the spirit.

3:7. Now if the ministration of death, engraven with letters upon stones, was glorious (so that the children of Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses, for the glory of his countenance), which is made void:

3:8. How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather in glory?

3:9. For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more the ministration of justice aboundeth in glory.

3:10. For even that which was glorious in this part was not glorified by reason of the glory that excelleth.

3:11. For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is in glory.

3:12. Having therefore such hope, we use much confidence.

3:13. And not as Moses put a veil upon his face, that the children of Israel might not steadfastly look on the face of that which is made void.

3:14. But their senses were made dull. For, until this present day, the selfsame veil, in the reading of the old testament, remaineth not taken away (because in Christ it is made void).

3:15. But even until this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart.

3:16. But when they shall be converted to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away.

3:17. Now the Lord is a Spirit. And where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

3:18. But we all, beholding the glory of the Lord with open face, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord.

2 Corinthians Chapter 4

The sincerity of his preaching. His comfort in his afflictions.

4:1. Therefore seeing we have this ministration, according as we have obtained mercy, we faint not.

4:2. But we renounce the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness nor adulterating the word of God: but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience, in the sight of God.

4:3. And if our gospel be also hid, it is hid to them that are lost,

4:4. In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of unbelievers, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not shine unto them.

4:5. For we preach not ourselves, but Jesus Christ our Lord: and ourselves your servants through Jesus.

4:6. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Christ Jesus.

4:7. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency may be of the power of God and not of us.

4:8. In all things we suffer tribulation: but are not distressed. We are straitened: but are not destitute.

4:9. We suffer persecution: but are not forsaken. We are cast down: but we perish not.

4:10. Always bearing about in our body the mortification of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be made manifest in our bodies.

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

4:12. So then death worketh in us: but life in you.

4:13. But having the same spirit of faith, as it is written: I believed, for which cause I have spoken; we also believe. For which cause we speak also:

4:14. Knowing that he who raised up Jesus will raise us up also with Jesus and place us with you.

4:15. For all things are for your sakes: that the grace, abounding through many, may abound in thanksgiving unto the glory of God.

4:16. For which cause we faint not: but though our outward man is corrupted, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

4:17. For that which is at present momentary and light of our tribulation worketh for us above measure, exceedingly an eternal weight of glory.

4:18. While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal: but the things which are not seen, are eternal.

2 Corinthians Chapter 5

He is willing to leave his earthly mansion to be with the Lord. His charity to the Corinthians.

5:1. For we know, if our earthly house of this habitation be dissolved, that we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in heaven.

5:2. For in this also we groan, desiring to be clothed upon with our habitation that is from heaven.

5:3. Yet so that we be found clothed, not naked.

5:4. For we also, who are in this tabernacle, do groan, being burthened; because we would not be unclothed, but clothed upon, that that which is mortal may be swallowed up by life.

5:5. Now he that maketh us for this very thing is God, who hath given us the pledge of the Spirit,

5:6. Therefore having always confidence, knowing that while we are in the body we are absent from the Lord.

5:7. (For we walk by faith and not by sight.)

5:8. But we are confident and have a good will to be absent rather from the body and to be present with the Lord.

5:9. And therefore we labour, whether absent or present, to please him.

5:10. For we must all be manifested before the judgment seat of Christ, that every one may receive the proper things of the body, according as he hath done, whether it be good or evil.

The proper things of the body. . .In the particular judgment, immediately after death, the soul is rewarded or punished according to what it has done in the body.

5:11. Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we use persuasion to men: but to God we are manifest. And I trust also that in your consciences we are manifest.

5:12. We commend not ourselves again to you, but give you occasion to glory in our behalf: that you may have somewhat to answer them who glory in face, and not in heart.

5:13. For whether we be transported in mind, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for you.

5:14. For the charity of Christ presseth us: judging this, that if one died for all, then all were dead.

5:15. And Christ died for all: that they also who live may not now live to themselves, but unto him who died for them and rose again.

5:16. Wherefore henceforth, we know no man according to the flesh. And if we have known Christ according to the flesh: but now we know him so no longer.

We know no man according to the flesh. . .That is, we consider not any man with regard to his nation, family, kindred, or other natural qualities or advantages; but only with relation to Christ, and according to the order of divine charity, in God, and for God. The apostle adds, that even with respect to Christ himself, he now no longer considers him according to the flesh, by taking a satisfaction in his being his countryman; his affection being now purified from all such earthly considerations.

5:17. If then any be in Christ a new creature, the old things are passed away. Behold all things are made new.

5:18. But all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Christ and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.

5:19. For God indeed was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not imputing to them their sins. And he hath placed in us the word of reconciliation.

5:20. For Christ therefore we are ambassadors, God as it were exhorting by us, for Christ, we beseech you, be reconciled to God.

5:21. Him, who knew no sin, he hath made sin for us: that we might be made the justice of God in him.

Sin for us. . .That is, to be a sin offering, a victim for sin.

2 Corinthians Chapter 6

He exhorts them to a correspondence with God's grace and not to associate with unbelievers.

6:1. And we helping do exhort you that you receive not the grace of God in vain.

6:2. For he saith: In an accepted time have I heard thee and in the day of salvation have I helped thee. Behold, now is the acceptable time: behold, now is the day of salvation.

6:3. Giving no offence to any man, that our ministry be not blamed.

6:4. But in all things let us exhibit ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in tribulation, in necessities, in distresses,

6:5. In stripes, in prisons, in seditions, in labours, in watchings, in fastings,

6:6. In chastity, in knowledge, in longsuffering, in sweetness, in the Holy Ghost, in charity unfeigned,

6:7. In the word of truth, in the power of God: by the armour of justice on the right hand and on the left:

6:8. By honour and dishonour: by evil report and good report: as deceivers and yet true: as unknown and yet known:

6:9. As dying and behold we live: as chastised and not killed:

6:10. As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing: as needy, yet enriching many: as having nothing and possessing all things.

6:11. Our mouth is open to you, O ye Corinthians: our heart is enlarged.

6:12. You are not straitened in us: but in your own bowels you are straitened.

6:13. But having the same recompense (I speak as to my children): be you also enlarged.

6:14. Bear not the yoke with unbelievers. For what participation hath justice with injustice? Or what fellowship hath light with darkness?

6:15. And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath the faithful with the unbeliever?

6:16. And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God: as God saith: I will dwell in them and walk among them. And I will be their God: and they shall be my people.

6:17. Wherefore: Go out from among them and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing:

6:18. And I will receive you. And will be a Father to you: and you shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

2 Corinthians Chapter 7

The apostle's affection for the Corinthians. His comfort and joy on their account.

7:1. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of the flesh and of the spirit, perfecting sanctification in the fear of God.

7:2. Receive us. We have injured no man: we have corrupted no man: we have overreached no man.

7:3. I speak not this to your condemnation. For we have said before that you are in our hearts: to die together and to live together.

7:4. Great is my confidence for you: great is my glorying for you. I am filled with comfort: I exceedingly abound with joy in all our tribulation.