Imagens das páginas
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to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; perse- 9 cuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing 10 about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are always de- 11 livered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, 12 but life in you. We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is 13 written, "I believed, and therefore have I spoken," we also believe, and therefore speak; knowing, that he which raised up the Lord Jesus, shall 14 raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things 15 are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

The rewards of faithful ministers will be exceeding

great

FOR which cause we faint, not; but though our out- 16 ward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, 17 worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while 18 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. For we know that if our earthly house of this 5 tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly de- 2 siring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: if so be 3 that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this 4 tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Now, he that hath wrought us for the self-same thing is God, who also 5 hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. Therefore we are always 6 confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (for we walk by faith, not by sight :) we are con- 7,8 fident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the 10 judgment-seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Paul was conscien

by the belief that Christ died as an expiatory sacrifice,

and that it was his duty to live holily.

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KNOWING therefore the terror of the Lord, we per- 11 tious and zealous. suade men; but we are made manifest unto God and I He was stimulated trust also are made manifest in your consciences. For 12 we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you Occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart. For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether 13 we be sober, it is for your cause. For the love of Christ constraineth 14 us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead : and that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live 15 unto themselves, but unto him who died for them, and rose again. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we 16 have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old 17 things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all 18 things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God 19 was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of recon

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ciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did 20 beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we 21 might be made the righteousness of God in him. We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain (for he saith, "I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time! behold, now is the day of salvation!") giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed but in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, 'in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in 5 watchings, in fastings; by pureness, by knowledge, by long-suffering, by 6 kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, by the word of truth, 7 by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report ; as deceivers, and yet true; 'as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, 9 and behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; 'as sorrowful, yet al- 10 ways rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto 11 you, our heart is enlarged. Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are 12 straitened in your own bowels. Now for a recompence in the same (I 13 speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged.

sary intercourse

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He requires them BE ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: 14 to have no unneces- for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteouswith unbelievers. ness? and what communion hath light with darkness? and what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that 15 believeth with an infidel? and what agreement hath the temple of God 16 with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, "I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and 17 be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you; and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons 18 and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." Having therefore these 7 promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

The severity of reproof in his First Epistle proceeded from Love. He commends their repentance.

RECEIVE us; we have wronged no man, we have 2 corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man. I speak 3 not this to condemn you; for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you. Great is my 4 boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation. For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, 5 but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears. Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, 6 comforted us by the coming of Titus; and not by his coming only, but 7 by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more. For though I made you sorry with a letter, I 8 do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season. Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to 10 be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. For be- 11 hold this self-same thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what in

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dignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his 12 cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you. Therefore we were comforted in your comfort; yea, and exceedingly the 13 more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all. For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not 14 ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth. And his inward af- 15 fection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him. I re- 16 joice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.

He excites the Corinthians to beney

olence towards saints at

the poor Jerusalem, and commends to them

to whom he had

7.

MOREOVER, brethren, we do you to wit of the 8 of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; grace how that in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of 2 their joy, and their deep poverty, abounded unto the Titus and others, riches of their liberality: for to their power, (I bear 3 committed the pro- record,) yea, and beyond their power, they were willing curing of their gifts. of themselves; praying us with much entreaty, that we 4 would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave 5 their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God: insomuch 6 that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, (in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us,) see that ye abound in this grace also: I speak not by com- 8 mandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. (For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus 9 Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich :) and herein I give my advice. 10 For this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. Now therefore perform the doing of it; 11 that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have. For if there be first a willing mind, it is ac- 12 cepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. For I mean not that other men be eased, and you burdened: 'but 13 by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality: as it is written, "He that had gathered 15 much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack." But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of 16 Titus for you. For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more 17 forward, of his own accord he went unto you. And we have sent with 18 him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches; 19 and not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind: avoiding this, that no man 20 should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us: provid- 21 ing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have 22 oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you. Whether any do inquire 23 of Titus, he is my partner and fellow-helper concerning you: or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ. Wherefore show ye to them, and before the churches, 24

the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf. For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you: for I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of 2 you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many. Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our 3 boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may he ready: lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you 4 unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting. Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the breth- 5 ren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness But this I say, He 6 which soweth sparingly, shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully, shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he pur- 7 poseth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: "For God loveth a cheerful giver." And God is able to make all grace 8 abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work as it is written, "He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever." Now, he that ministereth seed to the sower, both minister bread 10 for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness; being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, 11 which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. For the administration 12

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of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; while by the experiment of this 13 ministration they glorify God-for your professed subjection to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; and by their prayer for you, which long after you, for the exceeding grace 14 of God in you. Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

He resumes his

apology, by answer

ing the accusation of assuming au

thority only when

absent.

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NOW I Paul myself beseech you, by the meekness 10 and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: but I 2 beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh :'(for the 3,4 weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds ;) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; and having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any 7 man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's. For though I 8 should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed: 'that I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters: for his letters, 9 say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible: let such a one think this, that such as we 11 are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also indeed when we are present. For we dare not make ourselves of the number, 12 or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they, measuring themsevles by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. But we will not boast of things without our 13 measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you. For we stretch not 14

ourselves beyond our measure as though we reached not unto you; for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ: not 15 boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men's labors; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you, according to our rule, abundantly, 'to preach the gospel in the 16 regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand. "But he that glorieth, let him glory in the 17 Lord." For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom 18 the Lord commendeth.

He chides the Corinthians for forsaking him, and

proves that for the sake of Christ he had endured more

teachers.

WOULD to God ye could bear with me a little in 11 my folly! And indeed bear with me. For I am jealous 2 over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste than any of their virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the 3 serpent beguiled Eve through his subtility, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he 4 that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. For I sup- 5 pose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest Apostles. But though I 6 be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been thoroughly made manifest among you in all things. Have I committed an offence 7 in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely? I robbed other churches, taking wages of 8 them, to do you service. And when I was present with you, and wanted, 9 I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself. As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in 10 the regions of Achaia. Wherefore? because I love you not? God 11 knoweth. But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion 12 from them which desire occasion: that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, trans- 13 forming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for 14 Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no 15 great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. I say again, 16 Let no man think me a fool: if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little. That which I speak, I speak it not after the 17 Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting. Seeing 18 that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also. For ye suffer fools 19 gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise. For ye suffer, if a man bring you 20 into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face. I speak as concerning reproach, 21 as though we had been weak. Howbeit, whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly) I am bold also; 'are they Hebrews? so am I: are they 22 Israelites? so am I are they the seed of Abraham? so am I are they 23 ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool,) I am more; in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deathsTM oft; ' of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one: thrice was 24 I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeyings often, in perils 26 of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and painfulness, in 27 watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and na

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