\id 2CO - The English New Testament According to Family 35 
\h 2 Corinthians 
\toc3 2 Cor. 
\toc2 2 Corinthians 
\toc1 The Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians 
\mt2 The Second Epistle of Paul to the  
\mt1 CORINTHIANS  
\c 1  
\ms1 Opening Considerations  
\s1 Greeting  
\m
\v 1 \w Paul|strong="G3972"\w*, apostle \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w will|strong="G2307"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* brother \w Timothy|strong="G5095"\w*,\f + \fr 1:1 \ft He acknowledges a junior partner.\f* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w church|strong="G1577"\w*\f + \fr 1:1 \ft Since there were probably several local congregations meeting in homes in Corinth, not to mention “throughout Achaia”, I have rendered “church”. Note that Paul obviously intended that his letter have a wide circulation. Rather than give up their copy, would not the congregation that received the ‘original’ set about making verified copies to distribute to other locales? (Such a procedure would give us the beginnings of a ‘majority text’ in that region from the start.)\f* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Corinth|strong="G2882"\w*, \w together|strong="G4862"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* saints \w throughout|strong="G1722"\w* Achaia:  
\v 2 \w Grace|strong="G5485"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w peace|strong="G1515"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w from|strong="G1515"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w Father|strong="G3962"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* Sovereign\f + \fr 1:2 \ft Where ‘Lord’ occurs without the definite article, as here, I usually render ‘Sovereign’; with either ‘the’ or ‘our’ I usually render ‘Lord’.\f* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*.   
\s1 Praise for deliverance  
\p
\v 3 \w All|strong="G3956"\w* praise \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w Father|strong="G3962"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*, \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Father|strong="G3962"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w compassion|strong="G3628"\w*\f + \fr 1:3 \ft Literally, ‘the compassions’ or ‘the mercies’. I suppose the point to be that He is the Source of all genuine compassion (you won't get any from Satan).\f* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w encouragement|strong="G3874"\w*,  
\v 4 \w who|strong="G3739"\w* encourages \w us|strong="G1519"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w affliction|strong="G2347"\w*, \w so|strong="G1519"\w* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w may|strong="G1410"\w* \w be|strong="G1410"\w* \w able|strong="G1410"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w encourage|strong="G3870"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w whatever|strong="G3739"\w* \w affliction|strong="G2347"\w*, \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w means|strong="G1223"\w* \w of|strong="G5259"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w encouragement|strong="G3874"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w ourselves|strong="G2249"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w encouraged|strong="G3870"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*.\f + \fr 1:4 \ft One important reason God sends suffering our way is so that we can help others later.\f*  
\v 5 \w Because|strong="G3754"\w* \w just|strong="G2531"\w* \w as|strong="G2531"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w sufferings|strong="G3804"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* flow \w over|strong="G4052"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w us|strong="G1519"\w*,\f + \fr 1:5 \ft We get our share of suffering, we participate in Christ's sufferings—Colossians 1:24 and 1 Peter 4:13. Evidently for God's Kingdom to increase among men, as we continue to undo Satan's works in the world, we have to suffer.\f* \w so|strong="G3779"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w* encouraging \w overflows|strong="G4052"\w*, \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*.  
\v 6 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w then|strong="G2532"\w*, \w if|strong="G1535"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w afflicted|strong="G2346"\w*, \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w for|strong="G5228"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w sake|strong="G5228"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w your|strong="G2532"\w* \w encouragement|strong="G3874"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w deliverance|strong="G4991"\w*, \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w effective|strong="G1754"\w* \w for|strong="G5228"\w* \w enduring|strong="G5281"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w same|strong="G3739"\w* \w sufferings|strong="G3804"\w* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w suffering|strong="G3958"\w*  
\v 7 (yes, \w our|strong="G2532"\w* \w hope|strong="G1680"\w* \w concerning|strong="G5228"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* steadfast);\f + \fr 1:7 \ft I take it that he is affirming his confidence that they will not cave in under the suffering.\f* \w if|strong="G5613"\w* \w we|strong="G3754"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* encouraged, \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \it also\it* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w for|strong="G3754"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w sake|strong="G5228"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w your|strong="G2532"\w* \w encouragement|strong="G3874"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* deliverance, \w since|strong="G3754"\w* \w we|strong="G3754"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w* \w will|strong="G1510"\w* \w share|strong="G2844"\w* \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w encouragement|strong="G3874"\w* \w just|strong="G5613"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w* \w do|strong="G1492"\w* \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w sufferings|strong="G3804"\w*.\f + \fr 1:7 \ft We cannot stop people from going through their share of suffering, but we can encourage them.\f*   
\p
\v 8 \w And|strong="G2532"\w* \w so|strong="G2532"\w*, brothers, \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w do|strong="G1096"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w want|strong="G2309"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G1096"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* ignorance \w concerning|strong="G2596"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w affliction|strong="G2347"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w came|strong="G1096"\w* \w upon|strong="G1722"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Asia|strong="G3588"\w*: \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* \w under|strong="G1722"\w* extreme pressure, \w beyond|strong="G5228"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w* \w strength|strong="G1411"\w*, \w so|strong="G2532"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w despaired|strong="G1820"\w* \w even|strong="G2532"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w life|strong="G2198"\w*.  
\v 9 Yes, \w we|strong="G2192"\w* \w ourselves|strong="G1438"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w had|strong="G2192"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* sentence \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w death|strong="G2288"\w* \w within|strong="G1722"\w* \w ourselves|strong="G1438"\w*, \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w we|strong="G2192"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w place|strong="G1722"\w* \w confidence|strong="G3982"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w ourselves|strong="G1438"\w*, \w but|strong="G3361"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w raises|strong="G1453"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w dead|strong="G3498"\w*;\f + \fr 1:9 \ft If you look to the God who heals the sick, it is because you are sick; if you look to the God who raises the dead, it is because you are facing death. Paul evidently figured he had been pretty close.\f*  
\v 10 \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w did|strong="G2532"\w* \w deliver|strong="G4506"\w* \w us|strong="G1519"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w deadly|strong="G2288"\w* peril, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w still|strong="G2089"\w* delivers; \w in|strong="G1519"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w trust|strong="G1679"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* keep \w on|strong="G1519"\w* delivering,  
\v 11 \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* adding \w your|strong="G1223"\w* cooperation \w in|strong="G1519"\w* \w prayer|strong="G1162"\w*,\f + \fr 1:11 \ft Prayer makes a difference.\f* \w on|strong="G1519"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w* \w behalf|strong="G5228"\w*; \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w thanks|strong="G2168"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w given|strong="G2168"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w many|strong="G4183"\w* \w persons|strong="G4383"\w* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w gift|strong="G5486"\w* \w bestowed|strong="G1519"\w* \w on|strong="G1519"\w* \w us|strong="G1519"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w means|strong="G1223"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w many|strong="G4183"\w*, \w on|strong="G1519"\w* \w your|strong="G1223"\w* \w behalf|strong="G5228"\w*.\f + \fr 1:11 \ft They will get a return on their ‘investment’, the time they spent in prayer. Some 25% of the Greek manuscripts have ‘our behalf’, as in most versions.\f*   
\s1 A change of plans  
\p
\v 12 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* boast: \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w testimony|strong="G3142"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w conscience|strong="G4893"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* conducted \w ourselves|strong="G2249"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w world|strong="G2889"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* openness \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w godly|strong="G2316"\w* \w sincerity|strong="G1505"\w*, \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w fleshly|strong="G4559"\w* \w wisdom|strong="G4678"\w* \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w especially|strong="G4056"\w* \w toward|strong="G4314"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*.  
\v 13 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w we|strong="G3739"\w* \w do|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w write|strong="G1125"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w any|strong="G3756"\w* \w other|strong="G1161"\w* \w things|strong="G3739"\w* \w than|strong="G2228"\w* \w what|strong="G3739"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w can|strong="G1063"\w* \w read|strong="G1125"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w understand|strong="G1921"\w*;\f + \fr 1:13 \ft I take it that Paul is saying that he never writes with the intention of obfuscating an issue. That would be a good example for everyone to follow.\f* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w I|strong="G3739"\w* \w do|strong="G2532"\w* \w hope|strong="G1679"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* keep \w on|strong="G1161"\w* understanding \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w end|strong="G5056"\w*  
\v 14 (\w as|strong="G2531"\w* \w indeed|strong="G2532"\w* \w some|strong="G3588"\w* \w of|strong="G2250"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w acknowledged|strong="G1921"\w*) \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w your|strong="G2962"\w* \w boast|strong="G2745"\w*, \w just|strong="G2531"\w* \w as|strong="G2531"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w ours|strong="G1473"\w*, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w day|strong="G2250"\w* \w of|strong="G2250"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w*.\f + \fr 1:14 \ft Paul seems to be speaking of a reciprocal boasting, and that before Christ's Judgment Seat! We probably all know a father and son who are proud of each other; the idea may be similar.\f*   
\p
\v 15 \w It|strong="G2532"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w confidence|strong="G4006"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* planning \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w come|strong="G2064"\w* \w by|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w first|strong="G4386"\w*,  
\v 16 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* proceed \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w Macedonia|strong="G3109"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w come|strong="G2064"\w* \w back|strong="G3825"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w from|strong="G2064"\w* \w Macedonia|strong="G3109"\w* (\w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w might|strong="G2532"\w* \w benefit|strong="G1519"\w* twice),\f + \fr 1:16 \ft The “benefit” is presumably spiritual; Paul seems to be saying that he imparts such benefit wherever he goes. I would like to be able to say the same thing.\f* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w then|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w sent|strong="G2532"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w on|strong="G1519"\w* \w my|strong="G5259"\w* \w way|strong="G4311"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w Judea|strong="G2449"\w*.\f + \fr 1:16 \ft Here Paul is probably referring to financial help.\f*  
\v 17 \w Now|strong="G2532"\w* \w then|strong="G3767"\w*, \w when|strong="G2532"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w was|strong="G1510"\w* deciding \w this|strong="G3778"\w*, \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w was|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* acting frivolously, \w was|strong="G1510"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w*? \w Or|strong="G2228"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w things|strong="G3778"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* decide, \w do|strong="G2532"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* decide \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w*, \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w with|strong="G3844"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w* \w there|strong="G2532"\w* \w would|strong="G1014"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w both|strong="G2532"\w* “\w Yes|strong="G3483"\w*, \w yes|strong="G3483"\w*” \w and|strong="G2532"\w* “\w No|strong="G3756"\w*, \w no|strong="G3756"\w*”?  
\v 18 \w As|strong="G1161"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w faithful|strong="G4103"\w*, \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w word|strong="G3056"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w was|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* “\w Yes|strong="G3483"\w*” \w and|strong="G2532"\w* “\w No|strong="G3756"\w*”,\f + \fr 1:18 \ft Paul took a clear stand on things; he was not ambiguous.\f*  
\v 19 \w because|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Son|strong="G5207"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*, \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w was|strong="G1096"\w* \w proclaimed|strong="G2784"\w* \w among|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w*—\w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w Silvanus|strong="G4610"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w Timothy|strong="G5095"\w*\f + \fr 1:19 \ft Paul gives credit to his associates.\f*—\w was|strong="G1096"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* “\w Yes|strong="G3483"\w*” \w and|strong="G2532"\w* “\w No|strong="G3756"\w*”. \w In|strong="G1722"\w* fact, \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w has|strong="G2316"\w* \it always\it* \w been|strong="G1096"\w* “\w Yes|strong="G3483"\w*”,  
\v 20 \w because|strong="G1223"\w* \w all|strong="G3745"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w promises|strong="G1860"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* “\w Yes|strong="G3483"\w*”; \w indeed|strong="G2532"\w*, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* “Amen”, \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w there|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w*.\f + \fr 1:20 \ft As we take advantage of the promises, God gets the glory. God's promises are positive, with the ‘yes’.\f*  
\v 21 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* establishes \w us|strong="G1519"\w* \w together|strong="G4862"\w* \w with|strong="G4862"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w anointed|strong="G5548"\w*\f + \fr 1:21 \ft The anointing is in the past, but the establishing is an ongoing process—note that it is “\+nd into\+nd*” Christ.\f* \w us|strong="G1519"\w*, \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*,  
\v 22 \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w sealed|strong="G4972"\w* \w us|strong="G1325"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w gave|strong="G1325"\w* \w us|strong="G1325"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* down payment \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w* \w hearts|strong="G2588"\w*.\f + \fr 1:22 \ft The Holy Spirit in us is like God's brand on us, but is also our guarantee that we have been regenerated. Verses 21-22 refer to all three persons of the Godhead.\f*   
\s2 The change explained  
\p
\v 23 \w For|strong="G3754"\w* \w my|strong="G1699"\w* \w part|strong="G1473"\w*, \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w call|strong="G1941"\w* \w on|strong="G1909"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w as|strong="G1519"\w* \w witness|strong="G3144"\w*, \w upon|strong="G1909"\w* \w my|strong="G1699"\w* \w soul|strong="G5590"\w*, \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w it|strong="G3754"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w spare|strong="G5339"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w have|strong="G1473"\w* \w not|strong="G3765"\w* \w yet|strong="G1161"\w* \w returned|strong="G2064"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w Corinth|strong="G2882"\w*.  
\v 24 (\w Not|strong="G3756"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w we|strong="G3754"\w* \w have|strong="G3748"\w* control \w over|strong="G2961"\w* \w your|strong="G3588"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w*,\f + \fr 1:24 \ft This is an important point: in Matthew 23:8-10 the Lord Jesus forbids any attempt to dominate someone else's faith or conscience. As He said to the Samaritan woman, the Father wants worship in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24)—the worship must not be faked, forced or controlled.\f* \w but|strong="G1063"\w* \w we|strong="G3754"\w* work \w with|strong="G3756"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w your|strong="G3588"\w* \w joy|strong="G5479"\w*, \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w it|strong="G3754"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w by|strong="G2476"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w stand|strong="G2476"\w* \w firm|strong="G2476"\w*.)   
\c 2  
\m
\v 1 \w Actually|strong="G1063"\w*, \w I|strong="G1161"\w* \w determined|strong="G2919"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w within|strong="G1722"\w* \w myself|strong="G1683"\w*, \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w I|strong="G1161"\w* \w would|strong="G2064"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w come|strong="G2064"\w* \w again|strong="G3825"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w sorrow|strong="G3077"\w*.  
\v 2 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w make|strong="G3076"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w sorrowful|strong="G3076"\w*, \w then|strong="G2532"\w* \w who|strong="G5101"\w* \w will|strong="G5101"\w* \w make|strong="G3076"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w* \w glad|strong="G2165"\w*, \w besides|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w* \w whom|strong="G5101"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w made|strong="G3076"\w* \w sorrowful|strong="G3076"\w*?  
\v 3 \w And|strong="G2532"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w wrote|strong="G1125"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w very|strong="G2532"\w* \w thing|strong="G3956"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w as|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w sorrow|strong="G3077"\w* \w from|strong="G2064"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w ought|strong="G1163"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w make|strong="G2532"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w* \w rejoice|strong="G5463"\w*, \w when|strong="G2532"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w come|strong="G2064"\w*, \w having|strong="G2192"\w* \w confidence|strong="G3982"\w* \w in|strong="G1909"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w my|strong="G1699"\w* \w joy|strong="G5479"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w yours|strong="G4771"\w*.   
\s1 About the first letter  
\p
\v 4 \w Now|strong="G2532"\w* \w I|strong="G3739"\w* \w wrote|strong="G1125"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w out|strong="G1537"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w great|strong="G4183"\w* \w distress|strong="G2347"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w anguish|strong="G4928"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w heart|strong="G2588"\w*, \w with|strong="G1537"\w* \w many|strong="G4183"\w* \w tears|strong="G1144"\w*, \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w should|strong="G3588"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w made|strong="G3076"\w* \w sorrowful|strong="G3076"\w*, \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w might|strong="G2532"\w* \w know|strong="G1097"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* greatness \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w my|strong="G3739"\w* love \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*.  
\v 5 \w So|strong="G2443"\w*, \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w anyone|strong="G5100"\w* \w has|strong="G5100"\w* \w caused|strong="G3076"\w* \w grief|strong="G3076"\w*, \w he|strong="G1161"\w* \w has|strong="G5100"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w much|strong="G1912"\w* \w grieved|strong="G3076"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w* \w as|strong="G1161"\w* \w he|strong="G1161"\w* \w has|strong="G5100"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w of|strong="G5100"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w some|strong="G5100"\w* extent—\w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w be|strong="G3756"\w* \w too|strong="G1912"\w* ‘heavy’.  
\v 6 \w This|strong="G3778"\w* \w punishment|strong="G2009"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* inflicted \w by|strong="G5259"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w majority|strong="G4183"\w*\f + \fr 2:6 \ft Note that it is not necessary for ‘everyone’ to be in agreement with disciplinary action.\f* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w sufficient|strong="G2425"\w* \w to|strong="G3778"\w* \w such|strong="G5108"\w* \w a|strong="G5108"\w* \w one|strong="G5108"\w*,  
\v 7 \w so|strong="G2532"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w now|strong="G2532"\w*, \w on|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w other|strong="G5108"\w* side, \w you|strong="G4771"\w* \w should|strong="G3588"\w* \w forgive|strong="G5483"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w comfort|strong="G3870"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w*, \w so|strong="G2532"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w overwhelmed|strong="G2666"\w* \w by|strong="G2532"\w* \w excessive|strong="G4053"\w* \w sorrow|strong="G3077"\w*.  
\v 8 \w Therefore|strong="G1352"\w* \w I|strong="G1352"\w* \w urge|strong="G3870"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w reaffirm|strong="G2964"\w* \w your|strong="G3870"\w* love \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w him|strong="G3870"\w*.\f + \fr 2:8 \ft The purpose of the discipline was to restore, not destroy.\f*   
\p
\v 9 \w Now|strong="G2532"\w* \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w wrote|strong="G1125"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w end|strong="G1519"\w*: \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w put|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w test|strong="G1382"\w*, \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w see|strong="G1097"\w* \w whether|strong="G1487"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w obedient|strong="G5255"\w* \w in|strong="G1519"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w things|strong="G3956"\w*.  
\v 10 \w If|strong="G1487"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w forgive|strong="G5483"\w* \w anyone|strong="G5100"\w*, \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w do|strong="G2532"\w* \w too|strong="G2532"\w*; further, \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w indeed|strong="G2532"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w forgiven|strong="G5483"\w* \w anything|strong="G5100"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w someone|strong="G5100"\w*, \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* done \w so|strong="G2532"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w your|strong="G1223"\w* \w sakes|strong="G1223"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w presence|strong="G4383"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*,\f + \fr 2:10 \ft An interesting concept: Paul does the forgiving ‘in the presence of Christ’. He clearly believes that his forgiving, or otherwise, makes a difference. Well, he had ordered the disciplinary action, so it was appropriate for him to address the consequences.\f*  
\v 11 \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w we|strong="G1063"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w be|strong="G3756"\w* exploited \w by|strong="G5259"\w* \w Satan|strong="G4567"\w*; \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w we|strong="G1063"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w ignorant|strong="G3361"\w* \w of|strong="G5259"\w* \w his|strong="G5259"\w* intentions.\f + \fr 2:11 \ft Well, at least we shouldn't be, but how many Christians today really take the enemy seriously? Paul will refer to Satan by name several times.\f*   
\s2 An afterthought  
\p
\v 12 \w Also|strong="G2532"\w*, \w upon|strong="G1519"\w* \w arriving|strong="G2064"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Troas|strong="G5174"\w* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Gospel|strong="G2098"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*, \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w door|strong="G2374"\w* \w having|strong="G2532"\w* \w been|strong="G2532"\w* opened \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* Sovereign,\f + \fr 2:12 \ft If it was the Lord who opened the door, was that not indicative of His will? So did he move on against that will?\f*  
\v 13 \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w had|strong="G2192"\w* \w no|strong="G3756"\w* \w rest|strong="G2192"\w* \w in|strong="G1519"\w* \w my|strong="G1473"\w* \w spirit|strong="G4151"\w*, \w because|strong="G2192"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w did|strong="G3361"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w find|strong="G2147"\w* \w Titus|strong="G5103"\w* \w my|strong="G1473"\w* brother; \w so|strong="G1519"\w* taking \w leave|strong="G1831"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w went|strong="G1831"\w* \w on|strong="G1519"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w Macedonia|strong="G3109"\w*.   
\ms1 We have a glorious ministry  
\s1 A fragrance of life  
\p
\v 14 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w thanks|strong="G5485"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w always|strong="G3842"\w* \w leads|strong="G2358"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w triumph|strong="G2358"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*,\f + \fr 2:14 \ft The title ‘Christ’ is usually accompanied by the definite article, ‘\+nd the\+nd* Christ’—we are not to forget what the title really means.\f* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w* spreads \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w fragrance|strong="G3744"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w knowledge|strong="G1108"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w*\f + \fr 2:14 \ft The antecedent of the pronoun could be either the Father or the Son, but in this context most likely refers to the Son—getting to know Him is in view.\f* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w every|strong="G3956"\w* \w place|strong="G5117"\w*.  
\v 15 \w Because|strong="G3754"\w* \w we|strong="G3754"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* aroma \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w for|strong="G3754"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w among|strong="G1722"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w being|strong="G1510"\w* \w saved|strong="G4982"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w among|strong="G1722"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w being|strong="G1510"\w* wasted\f + \fr 2:15 \ft We are accustomed to ‘perishing’. The verb here has a considerable semantic area and can be rendered—destroy, kill, deprive, void, lose, perish—depending on the context, but I believe the root idea is ‘waste’. The only way to fulfill the purpose for which you were created, to realize your potential, is to turn your life over to Jesus. The alternative is to waste your life, both now and forever. Of course the enemy works to make people think the opposite.\f*—  
\v 16 \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w these|strong="G3778"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* smell \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w death|strong="G2288"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w death|strong="G2288"\w*, \w while|strong="G1161"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w those|strong="G3778"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w fragrance|strong="G3744"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w life|strong="G2222"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w life|strong="G2222"\w*\f + \fr 2:16 \ft The Gospel of Christ represents both life and death: if you receive it, you get life; if you reject it, you get death. Naturally, those in rebellion against God do not enjoy being reminded that they have chosen death.\f*—\w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w is|strong="G5101"\w* \w adequate|strong="G2425"\w* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w such|strong="G3778"\w* \w things|strong="G3778"\w*?  
\v 17 \w However|strong="G5613"\w*, \w we|strong="G1063"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w like|strong="G5613"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w rest|strong="G1510"\w*\f + \fr 2:17 \ft The Greek manuscripts are about evenly divided between “the rest” and ‘the many’, but I follow the best line of transmission.\f* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* retail\f + \fr 2:17 \ft A retailer makes his living by buying goods wholesale and reselling them piecemeal, at a profit. In our day there is no lack of those who dole out their teaching, precisely with a view to getting more money out of it.\f* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w word|strong="G3056"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*; \w rather|strong="G3756"\w*, \w we|strong="G1063"\w* \w speak|strong="G2980"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*, \w out|strong="G1537"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w sincerity|strong="G1505"\w*, \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w His|strong="G1722"\w* \w very|strong="G4183"\w* \w presence|strong="G2713"\w*.\f + \fr 2:17 \ft To be objectively aware that you are in God's presence does have a way of encouraging you to make the right choices!\f*   
\c 3  
\s2 An aside  
\m
\v 1 (\w Are|strong="G1992"\w* \w we|strong="G5613"\w* beginning \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w commend|strong="G4921"\w* \w ourselves|strong="G1438"\w* \w again|strong="G3825"\w*? \w Do|strong="G3361"\w* \w we|strong="G5613"\w* \w need|strong="G5535"\w*, \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w some|strong="G5100"\w* \w do|strong="G3361"\w*, \w letters|strong="G1992"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* recommendation \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*,\f + \fr 3:1 \ft Note that the early church used letters of introduction to help them in evaluating new arrivals.\f* \w or|strong="G2228"\w* \w commendation|strong="G4956"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*?  
\v 2 \w You|strong="G5210"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w* \w letter|strong="G1992"\w*, inscribed \w on|strong="G1722"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w* \w hearts|strong="G2588"\w*, \w known|strong="G1097"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* read \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w men|strong="G3956"\w*;  
\v 3 \w you|strong="G3754"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w manifestly|strong="G5319"\w* \w a|strong="G1722"\w* \w letter|strong="G1992"\w* \w of|strong="G5259"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*, mediated \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w*, \w written|strong="G1449"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w ink|strong="G3188"\w* \w but|strong="G2316"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w of|strong="G5259"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w living|strong="G2198"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*,\f + \fr 3:3 \ft In some sense all of us are ‘letters’ that those around us read. To the extent that we invest in others, build into their lives, we contribute to their ‘letters’. Of course it is our lives that people see, not what is inscribed on the heart.\f* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w on|strong="G1722"\w* \w stone|strong="G3035"\w* \w tablets|strong="G4109"\w* \w but|strong="G2316"\w* \w on|strong="G1722"\w* ‘\w tablets|strong="G4109"\w*’ \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w hearts|strong="G2588"\w* \w of|strong="G5259"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4560"\w*.)   
\s1 Competent ministers  
\p
\v 4 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w we|strong="G1161"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w such|strong="G5108"\w* \w confidence|strong="G4006"\w* \w before|strong="G4314"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w because|strong="G1223"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*;  
\v 5 \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w competent|strong="G2425"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w ourselves|strong="G1438"\w* \w to|strong="G3756"\w* \w reckon|strong="G3049"\w* \w anything|strong="G5100"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w being|strong="G1510"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w ourselves|strong="G1438"\w*, \w but|strong="G2316"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* competence \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*\f + \fr 3:5 \ft Competence is basic to everything that is done in this world; anything done by an incompetent will almost always be inferior. This is certainly true in the spiritual realm, where work done ‘in the flesh’ is poor work.\f*—  
\v 6 \w indeed|strong="G2532"\w*, \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w has|strong="G3739"\w* \w made|strong="G2427"\w* \w us|strong="G2427"\w* competent \w as|strong="G1161"\w* \w ministers|strong="G1249"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w new|strong="G2537"\w* \w covenant|strong="G1242"\w*;\f + \fr 3:6 \ft Note that Paul is clearly aware that he is promoting a new covenant. The old covenant was characterized by “letter”, while the new is characterized by “Spirit” (or “spirit”).\f* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w letter|strong="G1121"\w* \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w*, \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w letter|strong="G1121"\w* kills, \w while|strong="G1161"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w gives|strong="G2227"\w* \w life|strong="G2227"\w*.\f + \fr 3:6 \ft I have capitalized ‘Spirit’, but ‘spirit’ is also true. The ‘spirit’ of a message has to do with its purpose, which should take into consideration the local context.\f*   
\s1 A greater glory  
\p
\v 7 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w ministry|strong="G1248"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w death|strong="G2288"\w*, \w engraved|strong="G1795"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w letters|strong="G1121"\w* \w on|strong="G1722"\w* \w stones|strong="G3037"\w*, \w came|strong="G1096"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w*—\w so|strong="G1161"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w children|strong="G5207"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w Israel|strong="G2474"\w* \w could|strong="G1410"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* gaze \w at|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w face|strong="G4383"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w Moses|strong="G3475"\w* \w because|strong="G1223"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w his|strong="G1223"\w* \w countenance|strong="G4383"\w* (\w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w was|strong="G1096"\w* \w fading|strong="G2673"\w*)—  
\v 8 \w how|strong="G4459"\w* \w can|strong="G4459"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w ministry|strong="G1248"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w not|strong="G3780"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w more|strong="G3123"\w* \w glorious|strong="G1391"\w*?  
\v 9 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w ministry|strong="G1248"\w* \w of|strong="G1391"\w* \w condemnation|strong="G2633"\w* \w had|strong="G3588"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w*, how \w much|strong="G4183"\w* \w more|strong="G3123"\w* \w glorious|strong="G1391"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w ministry|strong="G1248"\w* \w of|strong="G1391"\w* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w*!  
\v 10 \w Because|strong="G1063"\w* \w what|strong="G3588"\w* \w had|strong="G2532"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w* \w could|strong="G3588"\w* \w actually|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w said|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w without|strong="G2532"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w*, compared \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w surpassing|strong="G5235"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w*—  
\v 11 \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w what|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w being|strong="G1722"\w* set aside \w had|strong="G3588"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w*, \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w which|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w continuing|strong="G3306"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w much|strong="G4183"\w* \w more|strong="G3123"\w* \w glorious|strong="G1391"\w*.\f + \fr 3:11 \ft Paul is being emphatic about the superiority of the new covenant.\f*   
\p
\v 12 \w Therefore|strong="G3767"\w*, \w since|strong="G2192"\w* \w we|strong="G2192"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w such|strong="G5108"\w* \w a|strong="G2192"\w* \w hope|strong="G1680"\w*, \w we|strong="G2192"\w* \w use|strong="G5530"\w* \w great|strong="G4183"\w* \w boldness|strong="G3954"\w* \w of|strong="G1680"\w* \w speech|strong="G3954"\w*—  
\v 13 \bd \+w not|strong="G3756"\+w*\bd* \w like|strong="G2509"\w* \w Moses|strong="G3475"\w*, \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w put|strong="G5087"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w veil|strong="G2571"\w* \w over|strong="G1909"\w* \w his|strong="G1438"\w* \w own|strong="G1438"\w* \w face|strong="G4383"\w*, \w so|strong="G2532"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w children|strong="G5207"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w Israel|strong="G2474"\w* \w would|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* observe \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w end|strong="G5056"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w what|strong="G3588"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w fading|strong="G2673"\w*.\f + \fr 3:13 \ft At first he used the veil because the people found the shine to be disconcerting, but the shine faded, and he kept on using the veil so they couldn't see that it was gone. Any reflected light depends on the source, and constant exposure to that source.\f*  
\v 14 \nd \+w But|strong="G3361"\+w*\nd*, \w it|strong="G3754"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w their|strong="G1722"\w* \w minds|strong="G3540"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* closed, \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w to|strong="G1909"\w* \w this|strong="G3588"\w* \w day|strong="G2250"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w very|strong="G4594"\w* \w veil|strong="G2571"\w* \w remains|strong="G3306"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w place|strong="G1722"\w* \w when|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Old|strong="G3820"\w* \w Testament|strong="G1242"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* read, \w since|strong="G3754"\w* only \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w it|strong="G3754"\w* taken \w away|strong="G2673"\w*.  
\v 15 Yes, \w even|strong="G2193"\w* \w to|strong="G1909"\w* \w this|strong="G3588"\w* \w day|strong="G4594"\w*, \w when|strong="G2259"\w* \w Moses|strong="G3475"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* read \w a|strong="G1909"\w* \w veil|strong="G2571"\w* \w lies|strong="G2749"\w* \w on|strong="G1909"\w* \w their|strong="G3588"\w* \w heart|strong="G2588"\w*.  
\v 16 \w However|strong="G1161"\w*, \w whenever|strong="G1437"\w* \w anyone|strong="G1437"\w* \w turns|strong="G1994"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w veil|strong="G2571"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* removed.\f + \fr 3:16 \ft Any Jew can escape that veil—here is how.\f*  
\v 17 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w*,\f + \fr 3:17 \ft A clear statement that the Holy Spirit is God.\f* \w and|strong="G1161"\w* \w where|strong="G3757"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w*'\w s|strong="G2962"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w there|strong="G1161"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w freedom|strong="G1657"\w*.\f + \fr 3:17 \ft “The Truth will make you free” (John 8:32). Several times the Lord Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of \+nd the\+nd* Truth.\f*  
\v 18 \w So|strong="G1161"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w*, contemplating \w as|strong="G1519"\w* \w in|strong="G1519"\w* \w a|strong="G1519"\w* \w mirror|strong="G2734"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w with|strong="G1519"\w* unveiled \w face|strong="G4383"\w*,\f + \fr 3:18 \ft Comparing this text with others like Psalm 1:2-3, James 1:22-25, 2:12, Ephesians 6:17 and Hebrews 4:12, I conclude that the ‘mirror’ here refers to God's Word. As we spend time in the Word with “unveiled face” (sincerely open to what it says), the Holy Spirit moves us up from one plane of glory to another—the goal is “the same image”.\f* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w being|strong="G1161"\w* \w transformed|strong="G3339"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* same \w image|strong="G1504"\w* \w from|strong="G3588"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w*, precisely \w from|strong="G3588"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w*.\f + \fr 3:18 \ft Had Paul been writing in Hebrew, I imagine we would have ‘Jehovah-Spirit’, or ‘Jehovah the Spirit’. He here reinforces what he already said in verse 17—the Holy Spirit is part of the Triune God.\f*   
\c 4  
\s1 But it isn't easy  
\m
\v 1 \w Therefore|strong="G1223"\w*, \w since|strong="G1223"\w* \w we|strong="G2192"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w received|strong="G1653"\w* \w mercy|strong="G1653"\w* along \w with|strong="G1223"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w ministry|strong="G1248"\w*, \w we|strong="G2192"\w* \w do|strong="G2192"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* lose heart.  
\v 2 Rather, \w we|strong="G1722"\w* \w have|strong="G3956"\w* renounced \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w hidden|strong="G2927"\w* \w things|strong="G3956"\w* \w of|strong="G3056"\w* shame, \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w walking|strong="G4043"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* deception \w nor|strong="G3366"\w* falsifying \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Word|strong="G3056"\w* \w of|strong="G3056"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*,\f + \fr 4:2 \ft Alas, there is no lack of those who deceive and falsify.\f* \w but|strong="G3361"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* open proclamation \w of|strong="G3056"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* Truth\f + \fr 4:2 \ft The importance of this is enlarged upon in 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12.\f* \w commending|strong="G4921"\w* \w ourselves|strong="G1438"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w every|strong="G3956"\w* \w man|strong="G3956"\w*'s \w conscience|strong="G4893"\w*, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w sight|strong="G1799"\w* \w of|strong="G3056"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*.  
\v 3 \w So|strong="G2532"\w* \w where|strong="G1722"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w* \w Gospel|strong="G2098"\w* \w has|strong="G1510"\w* \w actually|strong="G2532"\w* \w been|strong="G1510"\w* \w concealed|strong="G2572"\w*, \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w has|strong="G1510"\w* \w been|strong="G1510"\w* \w hidden|strong="G2572"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w being|strong="G1510"\w* wasted,  
\v 4 \w among|strong="G1722"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w god|strong="G2316"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* age \w has|strong="G2316"\w* \w blinded|strong="G5186"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w minds|strong="G3540"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* unbelieving,\f + \fr 4:4 \ft The Text clearly states that Satan, “the god of this age”, is in the business of blinding the minds of unbelievers when they hear the Gospel, so they will not understand, so they will not be convicted, so they will not repent and convert. This is a terrible truth, the most terrible truth in the world, at least as I see it. The enemy has access to our minds, access in the sense that he has the power or ability to invade them, whether by introducing thoughts or by jamming our reasoning. The Lord Jesus had already declared this truth previously, when He explained the parable of the sower. “These are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown; but, as soon as they hear it Satan comes and takes away the word that was planted in their hearts” (Mark 4:15). In the parallel passage in Luke 8:12 Jesus adds the following words: “lest they believe and be saved.” Note that the Word is already in the mind or heart of the person, but then Satan comes, invades the mind and “takes away” that word. I am not sure just how this intrusion by the enemy works, perhaps he causes a mental block of some sort, but the practical effect is that the Word becomes ineffective, as if the person had not even heard it. 
\fp The crucial question then becomes, what can we do about it? We find the answer in Mark 3:27. “No one can plunder the strong man's goods, invading his house, unless he first bind the strong man; then he may plunder his house.” I have used the definite article with the first occurrence of ‘strong man’ because the Greek Text has it, the point being that this particular strong man has already been introduced in the immediate context. “The strong man” here is Satan. (The Jewish leaders tried to explain Jesus' authority over the demons by saying that He expelled them by the power of Beelzebul, prince of the demons. In His retort Jesus does not waste time with that name but uses the enemy's proper name, Satan.) 
\fp So then, the Lord Jesus declares that it is impossible to steal Satan's goods unless we bind him first. (From His use of “no one” it seems clear that the Lord is enunciating a general principle or truth.) And what might the nature of those ‘goods’ be? In the context (see Matthew 12:22-24) Jesus had delivered someone from a demon that caused blindness and dumbness, and in their comments the scribes and Pharisees include other instances where Jesus had expelled demons—it seems clear that the “goods” are people who are subject to Satan's power, in one way or another. Thus we have the same essential truth as that declared in Acts 26:18—we have to do something about Satan's power over a person so that he or she can be saved! So what can we do? Since the point of handcuffs is to keep someone from acting, I believe that in so many words, aloud or in thought, we must forbid Satan from interfering in the minds of our hearers, before we preach. For more on this subject the reader may consult my site: \+nd www.prunch.org\+nd*.\f* \w so|strong="G1519"\w* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w light|strong="G5462"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Gospel|strong="G2098"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*, \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w image|strong="G1504"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w should|strong="G2316"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* dawn \w on|strong="G1722"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w*.   
\p
\v 5 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w we|strong="G1063"\w* \w do|strong="G1223"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w proclaim|strong="G2784"\w* \w ourselves|strong="G1438"\w*, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w as|strong="G1161"\w* Sovereign,\f + \fr 4:5 \ft That is what the Text says; Christ Jesus must be proclaimed as Lord/Sovereign, nothing less.\f* \w and|strong="G1161"\w* \w ourselves|strong="G1438"\w* \w as|strong="G1161"\w* \w your|strong="G1223"\w* \w servants|strong="G1401"\w*\f + \fr 4:5 \ft Literally, ‘slaves’.\f* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w*' \w sake|strong="G1223"\w*;  
\v 6 \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* commanded \w light|strong="G5457"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w shine|strong="G2989"\w* \w out|strong="G1537"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w darkness|strong="G4655"\w*\f + \fr 4:6 \ft See Genesis 1:3.\f* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w He|strong="G3739"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w shined|strong="G2989"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w hearts|strong="G2588"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w give|strong="G3004"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w light|strong="G5457"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* comes \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w knowledge|strong="G1108"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w face|strong="G4383"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G3004"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*.\f + \fr 4:6 \ft Did you get that? When you really look at Jesus you see God's glory; that knowledge becomes a light shining in your heart. Wonderful!\f*  
\v 7 Further, \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w treasure|strong="G2344"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w jars|strong="G4632"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w clay|strong="G3749"\w*,\f + \fr 4:7 \ft That we are clay pots does not change the nature of the “treasure”.\f* \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* all-surpassing \w power|strong="G1411"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w ourselves|strong="G2249"\w*\f + \fr 4:7 \ft God gives us the privilege of using His power, but we had better not try to take the credit!\f*  
\v 8 —\w we|strong="G1722"\w* \w are|strong="G3956"\w* hard-pressed \w on|strong="G1722"\w* \w every|strong="G3956"\w* \w side|strong="G3956"\w*, yet \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w crushed|strong="G4729"\w*; perplexed, but \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w despair|strong="G1820"\w*;  
\v 9 \w persecuted|strong="G1377"\w*, yet \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w abandoned|strong="G1459"\w*; knocked \w down|strong="G2598"\w*, but \w not|strong="G3756"\w* out;\f + \fr 4:9 \ft Dear me, this really doesn't sound like ‘easy street’ or a ‘bed of roses’! Paul is talking about very real struggle.\f*  
\v 10 \w always|strong="G3842"\w* \w carrying|strong="G4064"\w* \w about|strong="G1722"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w body|strong="G4983"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w putting|strong="G1722"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* death \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Lord|strong="G3588"\w*\f + \fr 4:10 \ft Perhaps 5% of the Greek manuscripts omit “Lord”, to be followed by NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.\f* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w*, \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w life|strong="G2222"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w manifested|strong="G5319"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w our|strong="G2424"\w* \w body|strong="G4983"\w*.\f + \fr 4:10 \ft One is reminded of 1 Corinthians 15:31, where Paul says, “I die daily”. Clearly he cannot be referring to physical death, so it must be a dying to self. As I die to myself, to my own ideas and desires, the life of Jesus will be manifested in and through me. Or as he put it in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ, so it is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me; what I now live in this body I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself in my place.”\f*  
\v 11 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w*, \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w living|strong="G2198"\w*, \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w always|strong="G1223"\w* \w being|strong="G2532"\w* \w handed|strong="G3860"\w* \w over|strong="G3860"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w death|strong="G2288"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w*' \w sake|strong="G1223"\w*, \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w life|strong="G2222"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w manifested|strong="G5319"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w our|strong="G2424"\w* \w mortal|strong="G2349"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w*.\f + \fr 4:11 \ft You can't have resurrection without death.\f*  
\v 12 \w So|strong="G1161"\w* \w then|strong="G1161"\w*, \w death|strong="G2288"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w at|strong="G1722"\w* \w work|strong="G1754"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w*, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w life|strong="G2222"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*.\f + \fr 4:12 \ft There are stages in Christian life and ministry: at their beginning stage, Paul is paying the price for them to have life; later, they should pay the price for others to have life; and so on.\f*   
\s1 Momentary affliction; eternal glory  
\p
\v 13 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w since|strong="G2192"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w same|strong="G2532"\w* \w spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w*, \w just|strong="G2532"\w* \w like|strong="G2596"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w written|strong="G1125"\w*, “\w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w believed|strong="G4100"\w*; \w therefore|strong="G1352"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w spoke|strong="G2980"\w*,”\f + \fr 4:13 \ft See Psalm 116:10. We speak on the basis of what we believe.\f* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w believe|strong="G4100"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w therefore|strong="G1352"\w* \w speak|strong="G2980"\w*,  
\v 14 \w knowing|strong="G1492"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w raised|strong="G1453"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w raise|strong="G1453"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w* \w through|strong="G5210"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w*\f + \fr 4:14 \ft Our resurrection depends upon that of Jesus.\f* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w present|strong="G3936"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w* \w together|strong="G4862"\w* \w with|strong="G4862"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*.  
\v 15 \w So|strong="G2443"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w this|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w your|strong="G1223"\w* \w benefit|strong="G5485"\w*, \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w has|strong="G2316"\w* \w spread|strong="G1519"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w many|strong="G4183"\w* \w may|strong="G2443"\w* \w cause|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w thanksgiving|strong="G2169"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w abound|strong="G4052"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*.\f + \fr 4:15 \ft The more people are reached by God's grace, the more thanksgiving God gets.\f*   
\p
\v 16 \w Therefore|strong="G1352"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w do|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* lose heart—\w even|strong="G2532"\w* \w though|strong="G1487"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w* \w outer|strong="G1854"\w* \w man|strong="G2080"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* wasting \w away|strong="G1854"\w*, \w yet|strong="G2532"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w* \w inner|strong="G2080"\w* \w man|strong="G2080"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w being|strong="G2532"\w* renewed \w day|strong="G2250"\w* \w by|strong="G2532"\w* \w day|strong="G2250"\w*—  
\v 17 \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w our|strong="G2596"\w* \w light|strong="G1645"\w*, \w momentary|strong="G3910"\w* \w affliction|strong="G2347"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w working|strong="G2716"\w* \w out|strong="G1063"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w us|strong="G1519"\w* \w an|strong="G1519"\w* eternal \w and|strong="G1391"\w* limitless \w measure|strong="G5236"\w* \w of|strong="G1391"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w*,\f + \fr 4:17 \ft Using the language in 1 Corinthians 3:12-14, whatever we build in gold, silver and precious stones will contribute to that glory. What we do for the Kingdom down here goes into our savings account in the Bank of Heaven.\f*  
\v 18 \w as|strong="G1161"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w do|strong="G3361"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* focus \w on|strong="G1161"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* seen, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w on|strong="G1161"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* seen; \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w what|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* seen \w is|strong="G3588"\w* transitory, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w what|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* unseen \w is|strong="G3588"\w* eternal.\f + \fr 4:18 \ft Where is your focus?\f*   
\c 5  
\s1 We live by faith  
\m
\v 1 \w Now|strong="G1722"\w* \w then|strong="G1063"\w*, \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w though|strong="G1437"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w earthly|strong="G1919"\w*, tent-like ‘\w house|strong="G3614"\w*’ \w may|strong="G2316"\w* \w be|strong="G2316"\w* \w destroyed|strong="G2647"\w*, \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w a|strong="G2192"\w* \w building|strong="G3619"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* (\w not|strong="G1473"\w* \w a|strong="G2192"\w* handmade \w house|strong="G3614"\w*), eternal \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w heavens|strong="G3772"\w*.  
\v 2 Further, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w do|strong="G2532"\w* \w groan|strong="G4727"\w*, \w longing|strong="G1971"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w clothed|strong="G1902"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w* \w heavenly|strong="G3772"\w* \w habitation|strong="G3613"\w*;  
\v 3 since, obviously, once \w clothed|strong="G1746"\w* \w we|strong="G2532"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w found|strong="G2147"\w* \w naked|strong="G1131"\w*.  
\v 4 \w Yes|strong="G1063"\w*, \w being|strong="G1510"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w this|strong="G3588"\w* ‘\w tent|strong="G4636"\w*’ \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* burden, \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w we|strong="G3739"\w* \w groan|strong="G4727"\w*—\w not|strong="G3756"\w* enough \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w want|strong="G2309"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* strip, \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* really \w clothed|strong="G1902"\w*; \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w what|strong="G3739"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w mortal|strong="G2349"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w swallowed|strong="G2666"\w* \w up|strong="G2666"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Life|strong="G2222"\w*.\f + \fr 5:4 \ft This paragraph relates only to the redeemed; only we have the prospect of improving our ‘clothing’. As for the lost, the mortal will be swallowed up by the Death, and they will be left naked (but not cease to exist).\f*   
\p
\v 5 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w it|strong="G1161"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w has|strong="G2316"\w* \w prepared|strong="G2716"\w* \w us|strong="G1325"\w* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w very|strong="G3778"\w* purpose, \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w also|strong="G1161"\w* \w has|strong="G2316"\w* \w given|strong="G1325"\w* \w us|strong="G1325"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* down payment \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w*.\f + \fr 5:5 \ft If you don't have the Holy Spirit, you don't have a ‘contract’. He is the down payment on ‘the Life’ (verse 4); eternal life being a quality of life, we can start living it down here.\f*  
\v 6 \w So|strong="G3767"\w* \w we|strong="G3754"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w always|strong="G3842"\w* \w confident|strong="G2292"\w*, \w even|strong="G2532"\w* \w knowing|strong="G1492"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w while|strong="G1722"\w* \w we|strong="G3754"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w at|strong="G1722"\w* \w home|strong="G1736"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w body|strong="G4983"\w* \w we|strong="G3754"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w away|strong="G1553"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w*'\w s|strong="G2962"\w* \w home|strong="G1736"\w*  
\v 7 —\w we|strong="G1063"\w* \w walk|strong="G4043"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w*, \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w sight|strong="G1491"\w*—  
\v 8 \w indeed|strong="G2532"\w*, \w we|strong="G2532"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w confident|strong="G2292"\w* \w in|strong="G2532"\w* preferring \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w away|strong="G1553"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w body|strong="G4983"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w at|strong="G4314"\w* \w home|strong="G1736"\w* \w with|strong="G4314"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w*.\f + \fr 5:8 \ft Paul is talking about facing death with confidence, knowing it is the doorway to something much better than this life. Of course this only applies to those who belong to Sovereign Jesus.\f*  
\v 9 Yes, \w that|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w why|strong="G1352"\w* \w we|strong="G2532"\w* \w make|strong="G2532"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w* aim (\w whether|strong="G1535"\w* \w at|strong="G1535"\w* \w home|strong="G1736"\w* \w or|strong="G1535"\w* \w away|strong="G1553"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w*) \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w well|strong="G2532"\w* \w pleasing|strong="G2101"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w Him|strong="G2532"\w*.  
\v 10 \w Because|strong="G1223"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w must|strong="G1163"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w be|strong="G1163"\w* exposed \w before|strong="G1715"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*'s Judgment Seat, \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w each|strong="G1538"\w* \w one|strong="G1538"\w* \w may|strong="G2443"\w* \w receive|strong="G2865"\w* \w his|strong="G3956"\w* \w due|strong="G1163"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w the|strong="G3956"\w* \w things|strong="G3956"\w* \w he|strong="G3739"\w* \w did|strong="G3588"\w* \w while|strong="G3739"\w* \w in|strong="G3956"\w* \w the|strong="G3956"\w* \w body|strong="G4983"\w*, \w whether|strong="G1535"\w* \w good|strong="G1223"\w* \w or|strong="G1535"\w* \w bad|strong="G5337"\w*.\f + \fr 5:10 \ft If we are wise, like Paul, we will never forget the Accounting. He was ‘confident’ that upon leaving his physical body he would be at home with the Lord. To have the same confidence we also must consciously live so as to be well pleasing to Him. Notice that the emphasis is on what we \ft \+bd \+nd do\+nd*\+bd*.\f*  
\v 11 \w Therefore|strong="G3767"\w*, \w since|strong="G1161"\w* \w we|strong="G2532"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w*'\w s|strong="G2962"\w* \w intimidation|strong="G5401"\w*,\f + \fr 5:11 \ft God's holiness is an aggressive quality that attacks anything evil that tries to approach. That holiness is truly intimidating, and we will all be judged by it. Jonathan Edwards preached on that basis, with extraordinary effect, but there are few in our day who follow his example. On a lower level, worldly people tend to feel uncomfortable in the presence of someone who is holy, sometimes to the point of reacting aggressively. As Satan increases his hold on the world, such aggressive reaction will become ever more common.\f* \w we|strong="G2532"\w* try \w to|strong="G2532"\w* convince \w people|strong="G1492"\w*.  
\s1 Why \w Christ|strong="G2962"\w* \w died|strong="G3588"\w*  
\p \w We|strong="G2532"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w well|strong="G2532"\w* \w known|strong="G1492"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w hope|strong="G1679"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w your|strong="G2962"\w* \w consciences|strong="G4893"\w* \w as|strong="G1722"\w* \w well|strong="G2532"\w*.  
\v 12 \w We|strong="G2249"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w commending|strong="G4921"\w* \w ourselves|strong="G1438"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w again|strong="G3825"\w*, \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w giving|strong="G1325"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w an|strong="G2192"\w* opportunity \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w boasting|strong="G2745"\w* \w on|strong="G1722"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w* \w behalf|strong="G5228"\w*, \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \it an answer\it* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w boast|strong="G2744"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w appearance|strong="G4383"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w heart|strong="G2588"\w*.\f + \fr 5:12 \ft Paul will enlarge on this later on in the letter.\f*   
\p
\v 13 \w If|strong="G1535"\w* \w we|strong="G1063"\w* \w are|strong="G5210"\w* ‘\w out|strong="G1535"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w senses|strong="G1839"\w*’, \w it|strong="G1063"\w* \w is|strong="G2316"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*; \w if|strong="G1535"\w* \w we|strong="G1063"\w* \w are|strong="G5210"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w sound|strong="G4993"\w* \w mind|strong="G4993"\w*, \w it|strong="G1063"\w* \w is|strong="G2316"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*.  
\v 14 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*'s love impels \w us|strong="G2249"\w*, having \w concluded|strong="G2919"\w* \w this|strong="G3588"\w*: \w if|strong="G3748"\w* \w One|strong="G1520"\w* \w died|strong="G3588"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w it|strong="G1063"\w* follows \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w died|strong="G3588"\w*;\f + \fr 5:14 \ft They all died in Him; just like all sinned in Adam.\f*  
\v 15 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w died|strong="G3588"\w* \w for|strong="G3754"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \it now\it* \w live|strong="G2198"\w* \w should|strong="G3588"\w* \w no|strong="G3371"\w* \w longer|strong="G3371"\w* \w live|strong="G2198"\w* \w for|strong="G3754"\w* \w themselves|strong="G1438"\w* \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w for|strong="G3754"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w One|strong="G1520"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w died|strong="G3588"\w* \w for|strong="G3754"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w*\f + \fr 5:15 \ft I follow the best line of transmission, along with a minority of the manuscript total (35% here), in reading “all” instead of the familiar ‘them’.\f* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w raised|strong="G1453"\w* \w again|strong="G1453"\w*.\f + \fr 5:15 \ft The clearest statements giving \+bd why\+bd* Christ died begin with Romans 14:9, “that He might be \+nd Lord\+nd* of both the dead and the living”; followed by this verse, that we should no longer live for ourselves, but for \+nd Him\+nd*. Philippians 2:8-11 refers to the final victory. Hebrews 2:14 refers to destroying Satan; saving us from hell is a by-product. As it says in Romans 10:9, “if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord…’, you will be saved”.\f*   
\s1 We are Christ's ambassadors  
\p
\v 16 \w So|strong="G2532"\w* \w then|strong="G2532"\w*, \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w now|strong="G3568"\w* \w on|strong="G2596"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* regard \w no|strong="G3762"\w* \w one|strong="G3762"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w fleshly|strong="G4561"\w* perspective—\w even|strong="G2532"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* ‘\w known|strong="G1097"\w*’ \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w in|strong="G2596"\w* \w this|strong="G3588"\w* \w way|strong="G2596"\w*, \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w do|strong="G1492"\w* \w so|strong="G2532"\w* \w no|strong="G3762"\w* \w longer|strong="G3765"\w*\f + \fr 5:16 \ft The unregenerate are forever trying to explain or understand Jesus in purely humanistic terms. We who are in Christ must not do so. Further, we should not try to understand anyone in such terms—we need to take account of what is happening in the spiritual realm. (As a student Saul of Tarsus had certainly seen and heard Jesus.)\f*—  
\v 17 \w so|strong="G5620"\w* \w then|strong="G5620"\w*, \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w anyone|strong="G5100"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w he|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w a|strong="G1096"\w* \w new|strong="G2537"\w* \w creation|strong="G2937"\w*; \w the|strong="G1722"\w* old \w things|strong="G3588"\w* \w have|strong="G1096"\w* \w passed|strong="G3588"\w* \w on|strong="G1722"\w*; \w look|strong="G2400"\w*, \w all|strong="G1722"\w* \w has|strong="G1096"\w* \w become|strong="G1096"\w* \w new|strong="G2537"\w*!\f + \fr 5:17 \ft This is neither immediate nor automatic; it is potential. No benefit of the shed blood of God's Lamb is automatic; it must be appropriated.\f*  
\v 18 \w And|strong="G2532"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* ‘\w all|strong="G3956"\w*’ \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w has|strong="G2316"\w* \w reconciled|strong="G2644"\w* \w us|strong="G1325"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w Himself|strong="G1438"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2532"\w*\f + \fr 5:18 \ft Perhaps 3% of the Greek manuscripts omit “Jesus”, to be followed by NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.\f* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w given|strong="G1325"\w* \w us|strong="G1325"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w ministry|strong="G1248"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w reconciliation|strong="G2643"\w*,\f + \fr 5:18 \ft Yes, \+nd the\+nd* reconciliation—no other reconciling compares with reconciling men to God.\f*  
\v 19 \w namely|strong="G5613"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w was|strong="G1510"\w* \w reconciling|strong="G2644"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w world|strong="G2889"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w Himself|strong="G1438"\w*,\f + \fr 5:19 \ft Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!\f* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w imputing|strong="G3049"\w* \w their|strong="G1438"\w* \w trespasses|strong="G3900"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w*, \w including|strong="G2532"\w* committing \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w message|strong="G3056"\w* \w of|strong="G3056"\w* \w this|strong="G3588"\w* \w reconciliation|strong="G2643"\w*.   
\p
\v 20 \w So|strong="G3767"\w* \w then|strong="G3767"\w*, \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*'s \w ambassadors|strong="G4243"\w*, \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w though|strong="G5613"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* \w making|strong="G3870"\w* \w His|strong="G1223"\w* \w appeal|strong="G3870"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w*. \w We|strong="G2249"\w* \w implore|strong="G3870"\w* \w you|strong="G3767"\w* \w on|strong="G5228"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*'s \w behalf|strong="G5228"\w*: \w Be|strong="G2316"\w* \w reconciled|strong="G2644"\w* \w to|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*!  
\v 21 \w Because|strong="G1722"\w* \w He|strong="G3588"\w* \w made|strong="G4160"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w One|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w did|strong="G4160"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w know|strong="G1097"\w* sin \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w be|strong="G1096"\w* sin \w on|strong="G1722"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w behalf|strong="G5228"\w*, \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w might|strong="G2316"\w* \w become|strong="G1096"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w*.\f + \fr 5:21 \ft Here we are face to face with the mystery of our redemption. Jesus, God's Son, never sinned, did not ‘know’ sin, experientially, but He was “made to be sin” on our behalf. It is a grim picture, as though on the cross He was changed into a bundle of sin. And in exchange He gave us His righteousness. How can we ‘measure’ or understand such love? It is beyond our comprehension. As Romans 11:33 expresses it: “Oh the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!”\f*   
\c 6  
\m
\v 1 \w So|strong="G2532"\w* \w working|strong="G4903"\w* \w together|strong="G4903"\w*\f + \fr 6:1 \ft ‘Working together’ with whom? Presumably with other ambassadors, but also with God.\f* \w we|strong="G2532"\w* really \w urge|strong="G3870"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w receive|strong="G1209"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s \w grace|strong="G5485"\w* \w in|strong="G1519"\w* \w vain|strong="G2756"\w*,  
\v 2 \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w says|strong="G3004"\w*:  
\q1 “\w At|strong="G1722"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w favorable|strong="G1184"\w* \w time|strong="G2540"\w* \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w listened|strong="G1873"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w*,  
\q2 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w day|strong="G2250"\w* \w of|strong="G2250"\w* \w salvation|strong="G4991"\w* \w I|strong="G2532"\w* aided \w you|strong="G4771"\w*.”  
\m \w Well|strong="G2532"\w*, \w right|strong="G2540"\w* \w now|strong="G3568"\w* \w is|strong="G2532"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* really \w favorable|strong="G1184"\w* \w time|strong="G2540"\w*; \w indeed|strong="G2532"\w*, \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w day|strong="G2250"\w* \w of|strong="G2250"\w* \w salvation|strong="G4991"\w* \w is|strong="G2532"\w* \nd \+w now|strong="G3568"\+w*\nd*!\f + \fr 6:2 \ft See Isaiah 49:8. The ‘window’ of opportunity for any individual does not last forever.\f*   
\s1 What it costs to be Christ's ambassadors  
\p
\v 3 (\w We|strong="G2443"\w* \w give|strong="G1325"\w* \w no|strong="G3361"\w* occasion \w for|strong="G1722"\w* \w offense|strong="G4349"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w anything|strong="G3367"\w*, \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w ministry|strong="G1248"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w be|strong="G3361"\w* faulted;  
\v 4 rather \w we|strong="G5613"\w* \w commend|strong="G4921"\w* \w ourselves|strong="G1438"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s \w servants|strong="G1249"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w every|strong="G3956"\w* \w way|strong="G1722"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w great|strong="G4183"\w* \w endurance|strong="G5281"\w*—\w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w afflictions|strong="G2347"\w*, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* hardships, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w distress|strong="G4730"\w*,  
\v 5 \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w beatings|strong="G4127"\w*, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w imprisonments|strong="G5438"\w*, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* tumults, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* hard \w work|strong="G2873"\w*, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* sleepless nights, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w fastings|strong="G3521"\w*;  
\v 6 \w by|strong="G1722"\w* purity, \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w knowledge|strong="G1108"\w*, \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w patience|strong="G3115"\w*, \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w kindness|strong="G5544"\w*, \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Holy|strong="G4151"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w*, \w by|strong="G1722"\w* sincere love,  
\v 7 \w by|strong="G1223"\w* truthful \w speech|strong="G3056"\w*, \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s \w power|strong="G1411"\w*, \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w weapons|strong="G3696"\w* \w of|strong="G3056"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w right|strong="G1188"\w* \w hand|strong="G1188"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* left;\f + \fr 6:7 \ft Why right and left? A right-handed soldier would have a shield in his left hand, for defense, with a sword or spear in his right, for offense—our weapons are for both offense and defense.\f*  
\v 8 \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* dishonor, \w through|strong="G1223"\w* defamation \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w good|strong="G1223"\w* repute; \w as|strong="G5613"\w* ‘\w deceivers|strong="G4108"\w*’ \w and|strong="G2532"\w* true,  
\v 9 \w as|strong="G5613"\w* unknown \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w well|strong="G2532"\w* \w known|strong="G1921"\w*, \w as|strong="G5613"\w* dying \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w we|strong="G2532"\w* \w live|strong="G2198"\w* \w on|strong="G2198"\w*, \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w chastened|strong="G3811"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w killed|strong="G2289"\w*;  
\v 10 \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w sorrowful|strong="G3076"\w* \w yet|strong="G2532"\w* \w always|strong="G3956"\w* \w rejoicing|strong="G5463"\w*, \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w poor|strong="G4434"\w* \w yet|strong="G2532"\w* \w making|strong="G4148"\w* \w many|strong="G4183"\w* \w rich|strong="G4148"\w*, \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w having|strong="G2192"\w* \w nothing|strong="G3367"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w yet|strong="G2532"\w* \w possessing|strong="G2722"\w* \w everything|strong="G3956"\w*!)\f + \fr 6:10 \ft Well, well, well, there really ought to be an easier way to make a living! Well, it depends on what kind of living quarters you want in Heaven. When I get there I hope to see many individuals who can say to me, “You made me rich; thank you!”.\f*   
\s2 An aside  
\p
\v 11 O \w Corinthians|strong="G2881"\w*! \w We|strong="G2249"\w* \w have|strong="G1473"\w* spoken openly \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w our|strong="G4314"\w* \w heart|strong="G2588"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w open|strong="G4115"\w* \w wide|strong="G4115"\w*.  
\v 12 \w You|strong="G5210"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w restricted|strong="G4729"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w*, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w restricted|strong="G4729"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w your|strong="G1722"\w* \w affections|strong="G4698"\w*.  
\v 13 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w in|strong="G2532"\w* return \w for|strong="G1161"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w same|strong="G2532"\w* (\w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w speak|strong="G3004"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w my|strong="G3004"\w* \w children|strong="G5043"\w*), \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w wide|strong="G4115"\w* \w open|strong="G4115"\w*.   
\s1 Separation is a ‘must’  
\p
\v 14 \w Do|strong="G5101"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* enter \w a|strong="G1096"\w* mismatch \w with|strong="G4314"\w* unbelievers;\f + \fr 6:14 \ft This does not refer only to marriage, as the explanation that follows makes clear.\f* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w what|strong="G5101"\w* \w do|strong="G5101"\w* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* lawlessness \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w in|strong="G2532"\w* common? \w And|strong="G2532"\w* \w what|strong="G5101"\w* \w fellowship|strong="G2842"\w* \w does|strong="G5101"\w* \w light|strong="G5457"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w with|strong="G4314"\w* \w darkness|strong="G4655"\w*?  
\v 15 \w And|strong="G1161"\w* \w what|strong="G5101"\w* \w agreement|strong="G4857"\w* \w is|strong="G5101"\w* \w there|strong="G1161"\w* \w between|strong="G4314"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w and|strong="G1161"\w* Belial? \w Or|strong="G2228"\w* \w what|strong="G5101"\w* portion can \w a|strong="G2228"\w* \w believer|strong="G4103"\w* \w share|strong="G3310"\w* \w with|strong="G3326"\w* \w an|strong="G2228"\w* unbeliever?  
\v 16 Further, \w what|strong="G5101"\w* \w agreement|strong="G4783"\w* \w can|strong="G3004"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w temple|strong="G3485"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w with|strong="G3326"\w* \w idols|strong="G1497"\w*? \w Because|strong="G3754"\w* \nd \+w you|strong="G3754"\+w*\nd*\f + \fr 6:16 \ft Instead of “you”, perhaps 4% of the Greek manuscripts have ‘we’, to be followed by NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.\f* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w temple|strong="G3485"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w living|strong="G2198"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w just|strong="G2531"\w* \w as|strong="G2531"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w said|strong="G3004"\w*:  
\q1 “\w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w dwell|strong="G1774"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w walk|strong="G2532"\w* \w among|strong="G1722"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w*;  
\q2 \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w their|strong="G2532"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w my|strong="G1722"\w* \w people|strong="G2992"\w*.”\f + \fr 6:16 \ft See Leviticus 26:12 and Ezekiel 37:27.\f*   
\m
\v 17 \w Therefore|strong="G1352"\w*,  
\q1 “\w Come|strong="G1831"\w* \w out|strong="G1831"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w among|strong="G1537"\w* \w them|strong="G3004"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* separate,” \w says|strong="G3004"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w*,  
\q2 “Touch \w no|strong="G3361"\w* unclean \w thing|strong="G3004"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w receive|strong="G1352"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*.”\f + \fr 6:17 \ft See Isaiah 52:11 and Ezekiel 20:34.\f*   
\m
\v 18 \w And|strong="G2532"\w*,  
\q1 “\w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w will|strong="G1510"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w Father|strong="G3962"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*,  
\q2 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w will|strong="G1510"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w sons|strong="G5207"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w daughters|strong="G2364"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w*,  
\q2 \w says|strong="G3004"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \sc \+w Lord|strong="G2962"\+w*\sc* \w Almighty|strong="G3841"\w*.”\f + \fr 6:18 \ft This appears to be an application based on several passages.\f*   
\c 7  
\m
\v 1 \w Having|strong="G2192"\w* \w therefore|strong="G3767"\w* \w these|strong="G3778"\w* \w promises|strong="G1860"\w*, beloved, \w let|strong="G3767"\w* \w us|strong="G1722"\w* \w cleanse|strong="G2511"\w* \w ourselves|strong="G1438"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w defilement|strong="G3436"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w spirit|strong="G4151"\w*, \w perfecting|strong="G2005"\w* holiness \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w fear|strong="G5401"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*.\f + \fr 7:1 \ft “Perfecting holiness in the fear of God”—how long since you heard, or preached, a sermon on that?\f*   
\ms1 Titus, and the first letter  
\s1 Introduction  
\p
\v 2 \w Make|strong="G5562"\w* \w room|strong="G5562"\w* \w for|strong="G3762"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w*; \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w have|strong="G1473"\w* wronged \w no|strong="G3762"\w* \w one|strong="G3762"\w*, \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w have|strong="G1473"\w* \w corrupted|strong="G5351"\w* \w no|strong="G3762"\w* \w one|strong="G3762"\w*, \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w have|strong="G1473"\w* exploited \w no|strong="G3762"\w* \w one|strong="G3762"\w*.  
\v 3 \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w do|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w say|strong="G3004"\w* \w this|strong="G3588"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w condemn|strong="G2633"\w* \w you|strong="G3754"\w*; \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w said|strong="G3004"\w* \w before|strong="G4314"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w you|strong="G3754"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w* \w hearts|strong="G2588"\w*, \w whether|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w die|strong="G4880"\w* \w together|strong="G4314"\w* \w or|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w live|strong="G4800"\w* \w together|strong="G4314"\w*.  
\v 4 \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w have|strong="G1473"\w* \w great|strong="G4183"\w* \w confidence|strong="G3954"\w* \w in|strong="G1909"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*; \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w do|strong="G3588"\w* \w a|strong="G1909"\w* lot \w of|strong="G1909"\w* \w boasting|strong="G2746"\w* \w about|strong="G1909"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*. \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w am|strong="G1473"\w* \w filled|strong="G4137"\w* \w with|strong="G4314"\w* \w encouragement|strong="G3874"\w*, \w overflowing|strong="G5248"\w* \w with|strong="G4314"\w* \w joy|strong="G5479"\w* \w in|strong="G1909"\w* spite \w of|strong="G1909"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w our|strong="G3956"\w* \w affliction|strong="G2347"\w*.   
\s1 Enter Titus  
\p
\v 5 \w Now|strong="G2532"\w* \w indeed|strong="G2532"\w*, \w when|strong="G2532"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w came|strong="G2064"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w Macedonia|strong="G3109"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w had|strong="G2192"\w* \w no|strong="G3762"\w* \w physical|strong="G4561"\w* \w rest|strong="G2192"\w*, \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* \w surrounded|strong="G1722"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w affliction|strong="G2346"\w*—\w conflicts|strong="G3163"\w* \w on|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w outside|strong="G1855"\w*, \w fears|strong="G5401"\w* \w on|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w inside|strong="G2081"\w*.  
\v 6 \w But|strong="G2316"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* encourages \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w lowly|strong="G5011"\w* \w encouraged|strong="G3870"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w coming|strong="G3952"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w Titus|strong="G5103"\w*;  
\v 7 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w only|strong="G3440"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w his|strong="G1909"\w* \w coming|strong="G3952"\w*, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w how|strong="G1161"\w* \w much|strong="G3123"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w encouraged|strong="G3870"\w* \w over|strong="G1909"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w as|strong="G1722"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* reported \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w* \w your|strong="G2532"\w* \w longing|strong="G1972"\w*, \w your|strong="G2532"\w* \w mourning|strong="G3602"\w*, \w your|strong="G2532"\w* \w zeal|strong="G2205"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w my|strong="G1722"\w* \w stead|strong="G5228"\w*, \w so|strong="G2532"\w* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w rejoiced|strong="G5463"\w* \w even|strong="G2532"\w* \w more|strong="G3123"\w*.   
\s1 The effect of the first letter  
\p
\v 8 \w Even|strong="G2532"\w* \w though|strong="G1487"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w letter|strong="G1992"\w* \w caused|strong="G3076"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w sorrow|strong="G3076"\w*, \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w do|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w regret|strong="G3338"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* (\w though|strong="G1487"\w* \w I|strong="G2532"\w* almost \w did|strong="G2532"\w*), \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w perceive|strong="G1722"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w letter|strong="G1992"\w* \w made|strong="G3076"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w sorry|strong="G3076"\w*, \w though|strong="G1487"\w* \w only|strong="G1487"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w while|strong="G1722"\w*.  
\v 9 \w Now|strong="G3568"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w rejoice|strong="G5463"\w*, \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w you|strong="G3754"\w* \w were|strong="G3748"\w* \w made|strong="G3076"\w* \w sorry|strong="G3076"\w*, \w but|strong="G1063"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w your|strong="G1722"\w* \w sorrow|strong="G3076"\w* led \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w repentance|strong="G3341"\w*. \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w you|strong="G3754"\w* \w were|strong="G3748"\w* \w made|strong="G3076"\w* \w sorry|strong="G3076"\w* \w as|strong="G1519"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* intended, \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w as|strong="G1519"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w be|strong="G3756"\w* \w harmed|strong="G2210"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w us|strong="G1519"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w any|strong="G3367"\w* \w way|strong="G2596"\w*.\f + \fr 7:9 \ft The implication is that it is possible for those in spiritual authority to cause harm, through the misuse of that authority. I imagine that we have all seen this sort of thing happen in fact.\f*  
\v 10 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w godly|strong="G2316"\w* \w sorrow|strong="G3077"\w* \w produces|strong="G2716"\w* \w repentance|strong="G3341"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w salvation|strong="G4991"\w* \w without|strong="G2316"\w* regret, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w world|strong="G2889"\w*'s \w sorrow|strong="G3077"\w* \w produces|strong="G2716"\w* \w death|strong="G2288"\w*.\f + \fr 7:10 \ft The Creator made us with emotions, which when properly used are beneficial, but that under the world's control are destructive.\f*   
\p
\v 11 \w Just|strong="G2596"\w* consider \w your|strong="G3708"\w* \w own|strong="G1438"\w* \w being|strong="G1510"\w* \w caused|strong="G3076"\w* \w to|strong="G2596"\w* \w sorrow|strong="G3076"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w a|strong="G1722"\w* \w godly|strong="G2316"\w* \w manner|strong="G3956"\w*, \w how|strong="G4214"\w* \w much|strong="G4214"\w* \w diligence|strong="G4710"\w* \w it|strong="G1063"\w* \w produced|strong="G2716"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*—\w what|strong="G3588"\w* self-defense, \w what|strong="G3588"\w* \w indignation|strong="G2205"\w*, \w what|strong="G3588"\w* alarm, \w what|strong="G3588"\w* \w longing|strong="G1972"\w*, \w what|strong="G3588"\w* \w zeal|strong="G2205"\w*, \w what|strong="G3588"\w* \w punishment|strong="G1557"\w*! \w At|strong="G1722"\w* \w every|strong="G3956"\w* point \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w have|strong="G1510"\w* \w demonstrated|strong="G4921"\w* \w yourselves|strong="G1438"\w* \w to|strong="G2596"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* clear \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w matter|strong="G4229"\w*.  
\v 12 \w So|strong="G2532"\w* \w even|strong="G2532"\w* \w though|strong="G1487"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w wrote|strong="G1125"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w for|strong="G5228"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w sake|strong="G1752"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* wrongdoer, \w nor|strong="G3761"\w* \w for|strong="G5228"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* victim, \w but|strong="G2532"\w*, \w before|strong="G1799"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w so|strong="G2532"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w your|strong="G2532"\w* real commitment \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w* \w might|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w made|strong="G5319"\w* \w clear|strong="G5319"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*.\f + \fr 7:12 \ft God's agenda in dealing with us often includes several objectives.\f*  
\v 13 \w We|strong="G2249"\w* \w have|strong="G1473"\w* been \w encouraged|strong="G3870"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w*.  
\s1 \w Titus|strong="G5103"\w* again  
\p \w Because|strong="G3754"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w your|strong="G1223"\w*\f + \fr 7:13 \ft Instead of “your”, perhaps 3% of the Greek manuscripts have ‘our’, to be followed by NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.\f* \w encouragement|strong="G3874"\w*, \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w rejoiced|strong="G5463"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w the|strong="G3956"\w* \w more|strong="G3123"\w* \w over|strong="G1909"\w* \w the|strong="G3956"\w* \w joy|strong="G5479"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w Titus|strong="G5103"\w*, \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w his|strong="G3956"\w* \w spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w has|strong="G3778"\w* been refreshed \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w*.  
\v 14 \w Because|strong="G3754"\w* \w wherein|strong="G1722"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w boasted|strong="G2744"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w* \w about|strong="G5613"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w was|strong="G1096"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w put|strong="G2617"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w shame|strong="G2617"\w*, \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w just|strong="G5613"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w everything|strong="G3956"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w spoke|strong="G2980"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w was|strong="G1096"\w* \w true|strong="G3588"\w*, \w so|strong="G3779"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w* \w boasting|strong="G2746"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w Titus|strong="G5103"\w* \w proved|strong="G1096"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G1096"\w* \w true|strong="G3588"\w*.  
\v 15 \w Also|strong="G2532"\w*, \w his|strong="G3956"\w* \w affection|strong="G4698"\w* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w greater|strong="G4771"\w*, \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* remembers \w your|strong="G2532"\w* collective \w obedience|strong="G5218"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w received|strong="G1209"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w* \w with|strong="G3326"\w* \w fear|strong="G5401"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w trembling|strong="G5156"\w*.  
\v 16 \w I|strong="G3754"\w* \w am|strong="G5463"\w* \w so|strong="G1722"\w* \w glad|strong="G5463"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w I|strong="G3754"\w* \w have|strong="G3748"\w* \w complete|strong="G3956"\w* \w confidence|strong="G1722"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*.\f + \fr 7:16 \ft Paul knew how to ‘accentuate the positive’, as we used to say.\f*   
\c 8  
\ms1 The collection for the church in Jerusalem  
\s1 The Macedonian example  
\m
\v 1 \w And|strong="G1161"\w* \w now|strong="G1161"\w*, brothers, \w we|strong="G1161"\w* want \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w to|strong="G1722"\w* \w know|strong="G1722"\w* \w about|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w has|strong="G2316"\w* \w been|strong="G1325"\w* \w bestowed|strong="G1325"\w* \w upon|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* congregations \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w Macedonia|strong="G3109"\w*,  
\v 2 \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w great|strong="G4183"\w* \w trial|strong="G1382"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w affliction|strong="G2347"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w abundance|strong="G4052"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w their|strong="G2532"\w* \w joy|strong="G5479"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w their|strong="G2532"\w* extreme \w poverty|strong="G4432"\w* produced \w their|strong="G2532"\w* extravagant, sincere generosity.  
\v 3 \w Because|strong="G3754"\w* \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w their|strong="G2532"\w* \w ability|strong="G1411"\w*, \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w bear|strong="G3140"\w* \w witness|strong="G3140"\w*, \w even|strong="G2532"\w* \w beyond|strong="G3844"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w ability|strong="G1411"\w*, \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w their|strong="G2532"\w* own \w accord|strong="G2596"\w*,  
\v 4 \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w begged|strong="G1189"\w* \w us|strong="G1519"\w* \w with|strong="G3326"\w* \w much|strong="G4183"\w* entreaty \w to|strong="G1519"\w* receive \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w gift|strong="G5485"\w*, \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w sharing|strong="G2842"\w* \w in|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w ministry|strong="G1248"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* saints  
\v 5 —\w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w more|strong="G2532"\w* \w than|strong="G2532"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w had|strong="G2532"\w* \w hoped|strong="G1679"\w*, \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w first|strong="G4413"\w* \w gave|strong="G1325"\w* \w themselves|strong="G1438"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w*\f + \fr 8:5 \ft Is obeying the commands of Christ the exclusive privilege of the rich? How about the first believers, there in Jerusalem, were they rich or poor? It would appear that the vast majority were poor; so much so that the few well-to-do were selling their property to feed the rest. (That is what gave rise to the case of Ananias and Sapphira [Acts 4:32-5:11].) They evidently did not want to leave Jerusalem, in spite of the Lord's words recorded in Luke 24:49 and Acts 1:8. So God Himself sent the persecutions to disperse them. And they scattered, preaching as they went, poor though they were. 
\fp Here in 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 we find an account that is very much to the point. Those Macedonian believers were very poor (“extreme poverty”). Furthermore, they were experiencing a “severe test of affliction”. Even so, they insisted on giving. From verse 4 it almost seems that Paul felt a bit embarrassed about asking them to give—they needed help themselves! But they insisted; they wanted to give. And they gave more than they properly could (“beyond their ability”). But how was that possible? They had the mentality of the Kingdom—in verse 5 we read that “\ft \+bd first\+bd* they gave themselves to the Lord”. And they must have understood the secret of God's economy, as described in 2 Corinthians 9:8.\f* (\w and|strong="G2532"\w* due \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'\w s|strong="G2962"\w* \w will|strong="G2307"\w*, \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w us|strong="G1325"\w*).   
\p
\v 6 \w So|strong="G3779"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w urged|strong="G3870"\w* \w Titus|strong="G5103"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w as|strong="G2531"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w had|strong="G2532"\w* \w made|strong="G4278"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w beginning|strong="G4278"\w* \w so|strong="G3779"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w should|strong="G3588"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w bring|strong="G1519"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w completion|strong="G2005"\w* \w in|strong="G1519"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w* \w as|strong="G2531"\w* \w well|strong="G2532"\w*;  
\v 7 \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w as|strong="G5618"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w excel|strong="G4052"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w everything|strong="G3956"\w*—\w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w*, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w word|strong="G3056"\w*, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w knowledge|strong="G1108"\w*, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w diligence|strong="G4710"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w your|strong="G2532"\w* love \w for|strong="G1722"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w*—\w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w excel|strong="G4052"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w* \w too|strong="G2532"\w*.   
\s1 Christ's example  
\p
\v 8 \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w am|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* giving \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w command|strong="G2003"\w*, \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w am|strong="G2532"\w* \w testing|strong="G1381"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w sincerity|strong="G1103"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w your|strong="G5212"\w* love \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w diligence|strong="G4710"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w others|strong="G2087"\w*.  
\v 9 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w know|strong="G1097"\w* \w the|strong="G1223"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w our|strong="G2424"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*, \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w though|strong="G3754"\w* \w He|strong="G3754"\w* \w was|strong="G1510"\w* \w rich|strong="G4145"\w*, \w yet|strong="G1063"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w our|strong="G2424"\w*\f + \fr 8:9 \ft Although some 60% of the Greek manuscripts, and most versions, have ‘your’ (thereby agreeing with the complement), I take it that the best line of transmission has “our”, that is more inclusive.\f* \w sakes|strong="G1223"\w* \w He|strong="G3754"\w* \w became|strong="G4433"\w* \w poor|strong="G4433"\w*, \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w His|strong="G1223"\w* \w poverty|strong="G4432"\w* \w might|strong="G5210"\w* \w become|strong="G1510"\w* \w rich|strong="G4145"\w*.  
\v 10 \w So|strong="G2532"\w* \w here|strong="G1722"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w my|strong="G1722"\w* \w advice|strong="G1106"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* (\w since|strong="G1063"\w* already \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w year|strong="G4070"\w* \w ago|strong="G4070"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* began \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w give|strong="G1325"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* plan, \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w your|strong="G2532"\w* \w advantage|strong="G4851"\w*):  
\v 11 \w now|strong="G1161"\w* \w you|strong="G3779"\w* \w must|strong="G4160"\w* really \w finish|strong="G2005"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w doing|strong="G4160"\w*—\w not|strong="G2309"\w* \w only|strong="G2532"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* enthusiastic planning \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* completing—\w out|strong="G1537"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w what|strong="G3588"\w* \w you|strong="G3779"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w*  
\v 12 (\w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w when|strong="G1437"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* intention \w is|strong="G3588"\w* presented, \w it|strong="G1063"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w acceptable|strong="G2144"\w* \w according|strong="G3756"\w* \w to|strong="G3756"\w* \w what|strong="G3588"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w* \w may|strong="G1487"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w*, \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w what|strong="G3588"\w* \w he|strong="G3588"\w* \w does|strong="G2192"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w*).  
\v 13 \w Now|strong="G3568"\w* \w this|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w distress|strong="G2347"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w as|strong="G1519"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* relieve \w others|strong="G3588"\w*,  
\v 14 \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w way|strong="G1722"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* balance—\w at|strong="G1722"\w* \w this|strong="G3588"\w* juncture \w your|strong="G2532"\w* surplus alleviates \w their|strong="G2532"\w* \w lack|strong="G5303"\w*, \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* later \w their|strong="G2532"\w* surplus \w may|strong="G2532"\w* alleviate \w your|strong="G2532"\w* \w lack|strong="G5303"\w*—yes, \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w there|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G1096"\w* balance;\f + \fr 8:14 \ft Note that I have replaced the usual ‘equality’ with ‘balance’. God is not egalitarian; He likes diversity—no two snowflakes are identical, no two drops of water, no two leaves or blades of grass, and much less two human beings. God hates laziness, so we should never do anything to encourage it (2 Thessalonians 3:10).\f*  
\v 15 \w as|strong="G2531"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w written|strong="G1125"\w*: “\w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* gathered \w much|strong="G4183"\w* \w did|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w too|strong="G2532"\w* \w much|strong="G4183"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* gathered \w little|strong="G3641"\w* \w did|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w too|strong="G2532"\w* \w little|strong="G3641"\w*.”\f + \fr 8:15 \ft See Exodus 16:18. Maybe there was some sharing involved in that picture.\f*   
\s1 When handling money, avoid criticism  
\p
\v 16 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w thanks|strong="G5485"\w* \w be|strong="G2316"\w* \w to|strong="G1722"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w puts|strong="G1325"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* same earnest \w care|strong="G4710"\w* \w for|strong="G5228"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w heart|strong="G2588"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w Titus|strong="G5103"\w*;  
\v 17 \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w he|strong="G1161"\w* \w not|strong="G5225"\w* \w only|strong="G3303"\w* \w welcomed|strong="G1209"\w* \w my|strong="G3754"\w* \w appeal|strong="G3874"\w* \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w being|strong="G5225"\w* \w very|strong="G3588"\w* \w diligent|strong="G4705"\w* \w he|strong="G1161"\w* \w went|strong="G1831"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w of|strong="G3588"\w* \w his|strong="G3754"\w* own \w accord|strong="G4314"\w*.\f + \fr 8:17 \ft Evidently Titus was bearing this letter, and it was he who delivered it to them.\f*  
\v 18 \w But|strong="G1161"\w* \w we|strong="G3739"\w* \w have|strong="G3956"\w* \w sent|strong="G4842"\w* \w together|strong="G3326"\w* \w with|strong="G3326"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* brother \w whose|strong="G3739"\w* \w praise|strong="G1868"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Gospel|strong="G2098"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w throughout|strong="G1722"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* congregations;  
\v 19 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w only|strong="G3440"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w*—\w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w actually|strong="G2532"\w* \w chosen|strong="G5500"\w* \w by|strong="G5259"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* congregations \w as|strong="G1161"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w* \w traveling|strong="G4898"\w* companion \w with|strong="G4862"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w gift|strong="G5485"\w*, \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w being|strong="G2532"\w* \w administered|strong="G1247"\w* \w by|strong="G5259"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w* \w with|strong="G4862"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* view \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w* \w of|strong="G5259"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w Himself|strong="G3441"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w* own goodwill,  
\v 20 \w avoiding|strong="G4724"\w* \w any|strong="G5100"\w* criticism \w about|strong="G1722"\w* \w how|strong="G5259"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* handling \w this|strong="G3778"\w* abundance;  
\v 21 giving thought \w to|strong="G2532"\w* blamelessness, \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w only|strong="G3440"\w* \w before|strong="G1799"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w before|strong="G1799"\w* men.\f + \fr 8:21 \ft As we say in Brazil, ‘all care is little’ when handling God's money. Carelessness, not to mention dishonesty, reflects negatively on the Gospel. The Macedonian Christians took the matter seriously.\f*  
\v 22 \w Further|strong="G4183"\w*, \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w have|strong="G1473"\w* \w sent|strong="G4842"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w* \w our|strong="G1722"\w* brother \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w have|strong="G1473"\w* \w often|strong="G4178"\w* \w proved|strong="G1381"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w diligent|strong="G4705"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w many|strong="G4183"\w* \w things|strong="G3588"\w*, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w now|strong="G1161"\w* \w much|strong="G4183"\w* \w more|strong="G4183"\w* \w so|strong="G1161"\w*, \w because|strong="G1722"\w* \w of|strong="G1722"\w* \it our\it*\f + \fr 8:22 \ft There is no possessive pronoun in the Text to show whose confidence, so it could be ‘his’, but in the context it seems to me to be more likely to be ‘our’.\f* \w great|strong="G4183"\w* \w confidence|strong="G4006"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*.  
\v 23 \w As|strong="G1519"\w* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w Titus|strong="G5103"\w*, \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G5547"\w* \w my|strong="G1699"\w* \w partner|strong="G2844"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w fellow|strong="G4904"\w* \w worker|strong="G4904"\w* \w toward|strong="G1519"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*; \w as|strong="G1519"\w* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w* brothers, \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w are|strong="G2532"\w* envoys \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* congregations, \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*.\f + \fr 8:23 \ft An interesting concept—Paul affirms that Christ was proud of those men. Now that is a compliment that I would really like to hear: “he is a glory of Christ”.\f*  
\v 24 \w Therefore|strong="G3767"\w* \w show|strong="G1731"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w proof|strong="G1732"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w your|strong="G2532"\w* love (\w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w* \w boasting|strong="G2746"\w* \w about|strong="G5228"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*) \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w* \w as|strong="G1519"\w* representatives \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* congregations.   
\c 9  
\s1 A little precaution  
\m
\v 1 \w Now|strong="G1510"\w* \w concerning|strong="G4012"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w ministry|strong="G1248"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* saints, \w it|strong="G1063"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* unnecessary \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w write|strong="G1125"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*;  
\v 2 \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w I|strong="G3739"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w* \w your|strong="G2532"\w* \w readiness|strong="G4288"\w*, \w about|strong="G5228"\w* \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w I|strong="G3739"\w* \w boast|strong="G2744"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Macedonians|strong="G3110"\w*, \w that|strong="G3754"\w* Achaia \w has|strong="G3739"\w* \w been|strong="G2532"\w* \w ready|strong="G3903"\w* \w since|strong="G3754"\w* \w last|strong="G4070"\w* \w year|strong="G4070"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w your|strong="G2532"\w* \w zeal|strong="G2205"\w* \w has|strong="G3739"\w* \w stirred|strong="G2532"\w* \w up|strong="G2042"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w majority|strong="G4183"\w*.\f + \fr 9:2 \ft Nothing like a good example.\f*  
\v 3 Still, \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w have|strong="G1473"\w* \w sent|strong="G3992"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* brothers \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w our|strong="G1722"\w* \w boasting|strong="G2745"\w* \w about|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* matter \w not|strong="G3361"\w* prove \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w empty|strong="G2758"\w*, \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w may|strong="G2443"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w ready|strong="G3903"\w*, \w like|strong="G2531"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w said|strong="G3004"\w*  
\v 4 —\w if|strong="G1437"\w* \w any|strong="G1437"\w* \w Macedonians|strong="G3110"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w go|strong="G2064"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w find|strong="G2147"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* unprepared, \w we|strong="G2249"\w* (\w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w mention|strong="G3004"\w*, \w you|strong="G5210"\w*!) \w would|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w put|strong="G2617"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w shame|strong="G2617"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w confident|strong="G1722"\w* \w boasting|strong="G3004"\w*.\f + \fr 9:4 \ft Maybe Paul should not have boasted quite so much. Do we ever get ‘carried away’ by our enthusiasm? Some 4% of the Greek manuscripts omit “boasting”, to be followed by NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.\f*  
\v 5 \w So|strong="G3779"\w* \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w considered|strong="G2233"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w necessary|strong="G3767"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w urge|strong="G3870"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* brothers \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w go|strong="G4281"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w in|strong="G1519"\w* advance \w and|strong="G2532"\w* finish preparing \w the|strong="G2532"\w* ‘\w blessing|strong="G2129"\w*’ \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w had|strong="G2532"\w* \w promised|strong="G4279"\w*, \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w ready|strong="G2092"\w*, representing generosity \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* stinginess.   
\s1 Kingdom economics  
\p
\v 6 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w then|strong="G2532"\w*, \w whoever|strong="G3588"\w* \w sows|strong="G4687"\w* \w sparingly|strong="G5340"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w reap|strong="G2325"\w* \w sparingly|strong="G5340"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w whoever|strong="G3588"\w* \w sows|strong="G4687"\w* \w generously|strong="G2129"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w reap|strong="G2325"\w* \w generously|strong="G2129"\w*.\f + \fr 9:6 \ft All of chapters 8 and 9 of 2 Corinthians deal with money, in one way or another. But the description of how God's economy operates begins at 9:6. This verse enunciates a fundamental principle that has global application. “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” 
\fp Any farmer understands this. If he only plants a few beans that is all he will get. If he wants more he has to plant more. Any businessman will also understand it. If he wants money he has to invest it. But there is one detail that can be quite bothersome—we must plant first, and reap later. It is better to tighten your belt than to eat the seed, no matter how hungry you are. Isn't it obvious? If you eat the seed you will not have anything to plant, and if you plant nothing you reap nothing! 
\fp In the Creator's goodness nature is often quite generous. I suppose corn is the champion. We usually plant three or four kernels in a hill, but suppose we just plant one. If that grain germinates we get one stalk. That stalk should produce two good ears (a third ear will likely be a nubbin). Now then, have you ever counted the number of kernels on an ear of corn? I have. A poor ear may have 300 kernels. A good ear will have around 500. A \ft \+bd super\+bd* ear can have up to 800! Let us suppose our stalk gives us two good ears—we planted one kernel and get back 1,000! Isn't that a deal? Even beans that only give us several dozen to one are a deal. That is God's way. 
\fp As already noted the context is financial, and verse 7 makes clear that when the author speaks of planting and harvesting he wants us to apply the principle to giving. “God loves a glad giver.” I believe the following conclusion is beyond reasonable doubt: whoever gives nothing receives nothing. Maybe that is why many believers, including those in ‘full-time Christian service’, often seem to be in a financial bind. They do not give; they never contribute. Luke 6:38 shows the reaction of men and Proverbs 3:9-10 that of God when someone gives.\f*  
\v 7 \w Each|strong="G1538"\w* \w one|strong="G1538"\w* \it should give\it* \w as|strong="G2531"\w* \w he|strong="G3588"\w* purposes \w in|strong="G2316"\w* \w his|strong="G3588"\w* \w heart|strong="G2588"\w*, \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w grudgingly|strong="G1537"\w* \w or|strong="G2228"\w* \w under|strong="G1537"\w* compulsion; \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* loves \w a|strong="G2228"\w* glad \w giver|strong="G1395"\w*.  
\v 8 Further, \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w able|strong="G1414"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w make|strong="G1519"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* ‘\w grace|strong="G5485"\w*’ \w abound|strong="G4052"\w* \w toward|strong="G1519"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w always|strong="G3842"\w* \w having|strong="G2192"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* sufficiency \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w everything|strong="G3956"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w may|strong="G2443"\w* \w abound|strong="G4052"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w every|strong="G3956"\w* \w good|strong="G3956"\w* \w work|strong="G2041"\w*\f + \fr 9:8 \ft I believe verse 8 gives the ‘secret’; let's consider the meaning with care. It is \ft \+bd God\+bd* who is powerful, not we. He it is who will cause to abound, not we ourselves. And what He causes to abound to us is “all grace”. The grace in view here is the grace of giving (as in 2 Corinthians 8:1, “the grace of God given to the churches of Macedonia”, which was precisely the grace to give, even beyond their means). Now the Text piles up emphatic words: “always, all, sufficiency, everything, abound, every”. All that emphasis serves to guarantee two results: we ourselves should always have enough (at least), and we should be a significant channel of blessing to others. Let's see how it works. 
\fp I understand that it is as follows: God wants us to be channels, conduits through which He can send a flow of blessings, both material and spiritual, to others. Much of what we receive may not be intended for our own use—it has another address and we are supposed to pass the blessing along (the precise address must be discerned through the Spirit). When we get the point and cooperate with God, He sends more. The more sensitive and faithful we are, the more God sends, an ever increasing flow of blessings. But if God sends a blessing, suppose a sum of money, that has another destination and we choose not to understand, decide not to cooperate, if we retain it for ourselves we become like a water pipe that corrodes shut. (Now a plugged pipe is a sad thing; it has lost its reason for being.) With that, the flow of God's grace through our lives is staunched, because He stops sending it. Surely. Why should God keep on sending if we will not let it pass? Can it be that our churches are full of ‘plugged pipes’? 
\fp When we cooperate with God He gains, the others gain, and we gain. But whoever holds back or abstains will be cheating himself, others and even God. Consider verses 9-14. Verse 9 is a quote from Psalm 112:9, bearing on the last clause of verse 8. Now verses 10 and 11: “The One who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, so as to supply and multiply your seed for sowing and to increase the yield of your righteousness; you being enriched in everything so as to always be generous, which passing through us produces thanksgiving to God.” This is marvelous! God even gives the seed to be planted, and lest we eat the seed He also gives us bread to eat. He wants us to plant, He wants to see fruit! When we are faithful and cooperate, then God not only meets our needs but augments our planting; in other words, He increases our generosity, or at least He will do so to the extent that we cooperate with His purpose. As a reasonable and proper consequence of this process God receives what He deserves: the beneficiaries give praise and thanks to Him. 
\fp Verses 12 and 13 elaborate on this aspect. When we line ourselves up with God's economy He receives the glory due Him, the needs of the saints are supplied, and we are blessed. First, the people who receive the benefits from our ministry will pray for us, and certainly God will listen to those prayers. Next, even if they do not pray, our obedience will receive the effects of God's faithfulness. This we know, not only from the promises and affirmations in this passage, but as an inference from God's own interests—a faithful and useful ‘water pipe’ must not die of hunger. 
\fp So there it is, my friends. God is no man's debtor. That is worth repeating: \+bd God will not be anybody's debtor\+bd*! We are too small; He will not allow Himself to be in debt to the likes of us. We may rest assured: whoever gives much, receives much; whoever gives little, receives little; whoever gives nothing… It seems to me that this principle, much like the tithe, works even when one's motivation is selfish or self serving. However, I trust that the reader will agree that my whole appeal has been against selfishness. It is because of the “mercies of God” that we should present our lives as a “living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1). It is the privilege and pleasure of participating in God's grace that should motivate us to give. I believe it is fair to say that our prosperity is in our own hands, at least in part (unfortunately it is also true that we may suffer because of others' disobedience, just as they may suffer because of ours).\f*—  
\v 9 \w as|strong="G2531"\w* \w it|strong="G2531"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w written|strong="G1125"\w*: “\w He|strong="G3588"\w* \w has|strong="G1519"\w* distributed around, \w he|strong="G3588"\w* \w has|strong="G1519"\w* \w given|strong="G1325"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w poor|strong="G3993"\w*; \w his|strong="G1519"\w* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w* \w endures|strong="G3306"\w* \w forever|strong="G1519"\w*”\f + \fr 9:9 \ft See Psalm 112:9.\f*—  
\v 10 \w yes|strong="G1161"\w*, \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w One|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w supplies|strong="G5524"\w*\f + \fr 9:10 \ft This verb is used of an authority furnishing what is necessary for a subordinate to carry out an order.\f* \w seed|strong="G4690"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w sower|strong="G4687"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* bread \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w food|strong="G1035"\w*, \w so|strong="G2532"\w* \w as|strong="G1519"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w supply|strong="G5524"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w multiply|strong="G4129"\w* \w your|strong="G2532"\w* \w seed|strong="G4690"\w* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w sowing|strong="G4687"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w increase|strong="G4129"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* yield \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w your|strong="G2532"\w* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w*;  
\v 11 \w you|strong="G1722"\w* \w being|strong="G1722"\w* \w enriched|strong="G4148"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w everything|strong="G3956"\w* \w so|strong="G1519"\w* \w as|strong="G1519"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w always|strong="G3956"\w* \w be|strong="G3956"\w* generous, \w which|strong="G3588"\w* passing \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w us|strong="G1519"\w* \w produces|strong="G2716"\w* \w thanksgiving|strong="G2169"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*.  
\v 12 \w Because|strong="G3754"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w administration|strong="G1248"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w service|strong="G1248"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w only|strong="G3440"\w* \w supplying|strong="G4322"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w needs|strong="G5303"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* saints, \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w overflowing|strong="G4052"\w* \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w many|strong="G4183"\w* \w thanksgivings|strong="G2169"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*  
\v 13 —\w on|strong="G1909"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w basis|strong="G1909"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w proof|strong="G1382"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w service|strong="G1248"\w* \w gives|strong="G1223"\w*, \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w glorifying|strong="G1392"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w obedience|strong="G5292"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w your|strong="G1223"\w* \w confession|strong="G3671"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Gospel|strong="G2098"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* generosity \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w your|strong="G1223"\w* \w sharing|strong="G2842"\w* \w with|strong="G1223"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* everybody—  
\v 14 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w in|strong="G1909"\w* \w their|strong="G2532"\w* \w prayer|strong="G1162"\w* \w for|strong="G5228"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w longing|strong="G1971"\w* \w for|strong="G5228"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w because|strong="G1223"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w surpassing|strong="G5235"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w in|strong="G1909"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*.   
\p
\v 15 \w Thanks|strong="G5485"\w* \w be|strong="G2316"\w* \w to|strong="G1909"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w for|strong="G1909"\w* \w His|strong="G1909"\w* indescribable \w gift|strong="G1431"\w*!\f + \fr 9:15 \ft Amen!\f*   
\c 10  
\ms1 Paul's defense of his apostolic authority  
\s1 Weapons of spiritual warfare  
\m
\v 1 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w*, \w Paul|strong="G3972"\w*, \w am|strong="G1473"\w* \w myself|strong="G1473"\w* \w appealing|strong="G3870"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w meekness|strong="G4240"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w gentleness|strong="G4240"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* (\w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w am|strong="G1473"\w* ‘\w humble|strong="G5011"\w* \w when|strong="G1161"\w* \w present|strong="G2596"\w*’ \w among|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* ‘\w bold|strong="G2292"\w* \w when|strong="G1161"\w* absent’ \w toward|strong="G1519"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*).  
\v 2 \w Yes|strong="G1161"\w*, \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w beg|strong="G1189"\w* \w you|strong="G3739"\w*, \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w when|strong="G1161"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w am|strong="G1473"\w* \w present|strong="G3918"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w may|strong="G5100"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w have|strong="G1473"\w* \w to|strong="G2596"\w* \w be|strong="G3361"\w* \w bold|strong="G5111"\w* \w with|strong="G1909"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w confidence|strong="G4006"\w* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w will|strong="G3739"\w* ‘\w dare|strong="G5111"\w*’ \w to|strong="G2596"\w* visit \w upon|strong="G1909"\w* \w some|strong="G5100"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w think|strong="G3049"\w* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w walking|strong="G4043"\w* \w in|strong="G1909"\w* \w a|strong="G5613"\w* \w fleshly|strong="G4561"\w* \w manner|strong="G2596"\w*.  
\v 3 \w Well|strong="G1063"\w*, \w we|strong="G1063"\w* \w do|strong="G4043"\w* \w walk|strong="G4043"\w* \w about|strong="G2596"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w*, \w but|strong="G1063"\w* \w we|strong="G1063"\w* \w do|strong="G4043"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w wage|strong="G4754"\w* \w war|strong="G4754"\w* \w that|strong="G1722"\w* \w way|strong="G2596"\w*,\f + \fr 10:3 \ft Well, at least we shouldn't!\f*  
\v 4 \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w the|strong="G4314"\w* \w weapons|strong="G3696"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w warfare|strong="G4752"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* physical, \w but|strong="G1063"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w powerful|strong="G1415"\w* \w in|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* demolishing \w strongholds|strong="G3794"\w*:\f + \fr 10:4 \ft The subject of biblical spiritual warfare is generally not well understood in Christian circles. Much of what has been written concerns defensive procedures, but this text speaks of demolishing strongholds (presumably the enemy's, since no one will want to destroy his own), that has to do with taking the offensive. For more on this subject the reader may consult my site: \+nd www.prunch.org\+nd*.\f*  
\v 5 demolishing sophistries\f + \fr 10:5 \ft A sophistry is a false argument that is presented in such a way as to appear correct, and impressive, especially if not properly analyzed. Satan has purveyed a number of sophistries designed to keep people from the knowledge of God, such as humanism, relativism, materialism, Freudianism, and so on.\f* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w every|strong="G3956"\w* arrogance \w that|strong="G3588"\w* sets \w itself|strong="G1869"\w* \w up|strong="G1869"\w* \w against|strong="G2596"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w knowledge|strong="G1108"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*; taking captive \w every|strong="G3956"\w* \w thought|strong="G3540"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w make|strong="G1519"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w obedient|strong="G5218"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*;  
\v 6 \w being|strong="G2532"\w* \w ready|strong="G2092"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w punish|strong="G1556"\w* \w every|strong="G3956"\w* act \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w disobedience|strong="G3876"\w*, \w whenever|strong="G3752"\w* \w your|strong="G2192"\w* \w obedience|strong="G5218"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w complete|strong="G4137"\w*.\f + \fr 10:6 \ft I suppose that the three gerunds—‘demolishing sophistries’, ‘taking captive every thought’ and ‘being ready to punish’—are some of our weapons, being grammatically subordinated to ‘demolishing strongholds’. In the context, the thoughts we take captive are not our own (though that also is a good thing to do), but those of the enemy's servants. I do this in so many words, aloud or in thought, and thereby avoid unnecessary complications.\f*   
\s1 Paul is criticized  
\p
\v 7 \w Do|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G1487"\w* \w only|strong="G1487"\w* look \w at|strong="G1909"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* ‘\w face|strong="G4383"\w*’ \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w things|strong="G3778"\w*? \w If|strong="G1487"\w* \w anyone|strong="G5100"\w* \w has|strong="G5547"\w* \w persuaded|strong="G3982"\w* \w himself|strong="G1438"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*'s, \w let|strong="G3049"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w* \w consider|strong="G3049"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w again|strong="G3825"\w* \w with|strong="G2532"\w* \w himself|strong="G1438"\w*, \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w just|strong="G2531"\w* \w as|strong="G2531"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*'s, \w so|strong="G3779"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*'s.  
\v 8 \w Now|strong="G2532"\w* \w even|strong="G2532"\w* \w if|strong="G1437"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w boast|strong="G2744"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* little \w to|strong="G1519"\w* excess \w about|strong="G4012"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w* \w authority|strong="G1849"\w* (\w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w gave|strong="G1325"\w* \w us|strong="G1325"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w building|strong="G3619"\w* \w up|strong="G1519"\w*, \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* tear \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w down|strong="G2506"\w*), \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* act ashamed,\f + \fr 10:8 \ft He is not going to pretend to be ashamed of having overdone the boasting (in the event), since his greater concern here is to cut the ground from under his critics.\f*  
\v 9 \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* appear \it to agree\it* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w it|strong="G1223"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* only \w with|strong="G1223"\w* \w letters|strong="G1992"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w I|strong="G5613"\w* ‘\w terrify|strong="G1629"\w*’ \w you|strong="G5210"\w*.  
\v 10 \w Because|strong="G3754"\w* \w some|strong="G3588"\w* \w say|strong="G5346"\w*, “\w His|strong="G2532"\w* \w letters|strong="G1992"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* ‘heavy’ \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w forceful|strong="G2478"\w*, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w his|strong="G2532"\w* physical \w presence|strong="G3952"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* weak, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w his|strong="G2532"\w* \w speech|strong="G3056"\w* can \w be|strong="G2532"\w* disdained.”  
\v 11 \w Let|strong="G3049"\w* \w such|strong="G5108"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w person|strong="G5108"\w* \w consider|strong="G3049"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w*, \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w what|strong="G3588"\w* \w we|strong="G3754"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w word|strong="G3056"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w letters|strong="G1992"\w* \w while|strong="G1510"\w* absent \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w just|strong="G2532"\w* \w what|strong="G3588"\w* \w we|strong="G3754"\w* \w will|strong="G1510"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w action|strong="G2041"\w* \w when|strong="G2532"\w* \w present|strong="G3918"\w*.   
\s1 Proper limits for boasting  
\p
\v 12 \w Now|strong="G2532"\w* \w we|strong="G1063"\w* \w do|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w dare|strong="G5111"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w class|strong="G1469"\w* \w or|strong="G2228"\w* \w compare|strong="G4793"\w* \w ourselves|strong="G1438"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w some|strong="G5100"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w commend|strong="G4921"\w* \w themselves|strong="G1438"\w*; \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w they|strong="G2532"\w*, \w measuring|strong="G3354"\w* \w themselves|strong="G1438"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w themselves|strong="G1438"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w comparing|strong="G4793"\w* \w themselves|strong="G1438"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w themselves|strong="G1438"\w*, \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w without|strong="G2532"\w* \w understanding|strong="G4920"\w*.\f + \fr 10:12 \ft If you compare yourself with a weakling, you can tell yourself that you are strong, which could get you beaten up. In any case, our standard is “the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13).\f*  
\v 13 \w We|strong="G2249"\w*, \w however|strong="G1161"\w*, \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w boast|strong="G2744"\w* \w beyond|strong="G1519"\w* \w proper|strong="G3358"\w* limits, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w will|strong="G2316"\w* stay \w within|strong="G2596"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* boundaries \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w assigned|strong="G3307"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w us|strong="G1519"\w*, \w a|strong="G2532"\w* field \w that|strong="G3739"\w* includes \w you|strong="G5210"\w*.  
\v 14 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w we|strong="G1063"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w overextending|strong="G5239"\w* \w ourselves|strong="G1438"\w*, \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w though|strong="G5613"\w* \w we|strong="G1063"\w* \w had|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w reached|strong="G1519"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w we|strong="G1063"\w* \w did|strong="G2532"\w* \w indeed|strong="G2532"\w* \w get|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Gospel|strong="G2098"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*;  
\v 15 \w nor|strong="G3756"\w* \w do|strong="G2192"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w boast|strong="G2744"\w* ‘\w off|strong="G2596"\w* limits’ \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w labors|strong="G2873"\w* \w of|strong="G1722"\w* \w others|strong="G3588"\w*, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w hope|strong="G1680"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w as|strong="G1519"\w* \w your|strong="G2192"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* grows \w our|strong="G2596"\w* boundaries \w will|strong="G1473"\w* \w be|strong="G3756"\w* \w greatly|strong="G3756"\w* \w expanded|strong="G4050"\w* \w through|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*,  
\v 16 \w so|strong="G1519"\w* \w as|strong="G1519"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* evangelize \w the|strong="G1722"\w* regions \w beyond|strong="G1519"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*\f + \fr 10:16 \ft Who does the actual evangelizing? Presumably the Corinthians, not Paul himself, so he is saying that their work will contribute to his ‘boundaries’. As my spiritual children pass on my teaching, they are increasing the area that my teaching has reached.\f* (\w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w boast|strong="G2744"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* work already done \w in|strong="G1722"\w* someone else's field).   
\p
\v 17 “\w He|strong="G1161"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w boasts|strong="G2744"\w*, \w let|strong="G1161"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w* \w boast|strong="G2744"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \sc \+w Lord|strong="G2962"\+w*\sc*.”\f + \fr 10:17 \ft See Jeremiah 9:24.\f*  
\v 18 \w Because|strong="G1063"\w* \w it|strong="G1063"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w one|strong="G3739"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w commends|strong="G4921"\w* \w himself|strong="G1438"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w approved|strong="G1384"\w*, \w but|strong="G1063"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w commends|strong="G4921"\w*.\f + \fr 10:18 \ft Just because God uses or ‘blesses’ someone does not necessarily mean that He is approving of them.\f*   
\c 11  
\s1 A godly jealousy  
\m
\v 1 \w I|strong="G1473"\w* could \w wish|strong="G3785"\w* \w that|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G2532"\w* \w would|strong="G2532"\w* \w put|strong="G2532"\w* \w up|strong="G2532"\w* \w with|strong="G2532"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w little|strong="G3398"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w my|strong="G1473"\w* foolishness, \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w indeed|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G2532"\w* already \w are|strong="G2532"\w*.  
\v 2 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w I|strong="G1063"\w* \w am|strong="G3588"\w* \w jealous|strong="G2206"\w* \w over|strong="G2206"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w with|strong="G2316"\w* \w a|strong="G1520"\w* \w godly|strong="G2316"\w* \w jealousy|strong="G2205"\w*, \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w I|strong="G1063"\w* betrothed \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w to|strong="G2316"\w* \w one|strong="G1520"\w* \w man|strong="G1520"\w* \w to|strong="G2316"\w* \w present|strong="G3936"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w to|strong="G2316"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w as|strong="G1063"\w* \w a|strong="G1520"\w* pure \w virgin|strong="G3933"\w*.  
\v 3 \w But|strong="G1161"\w* \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w am|strong="G2532"\w* \w afraid|strong="G5399"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* somehow, \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w serpent|strong="G3789"\w* \w deceived|strong="G1818"\w* \w Eve|strong="G2096"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w his|strong="G1519"\w* cunning, \w so|strong="G2532"\w* \w your|strong="G2532"\w* \w minds|strong="G3540"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w corrupted|strong="G5351"\w*\f + \fr 11:3 \ft The implication is clear: Satan does the corrupting, directly or indirectly, and it is their thinking that he is corrupting (and that is serious—Proverbs 23:7).\f* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* integrity \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*.  
\v 4 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w someone|strong="G3739"\w* \w comes|strong="G2064"\w* \w and|strong="G2064"\w* \w preaches|strong="G2784"\w* \w another|strong="G2087"\w* ‘\w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w*’ \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w we|strong="G3739"\w* \w did|strong="G2573"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w preach|strong="G2784"\w*, \w or|strong="G2228"\w* \w you|strong="G3739"\w* \w receive|strong="G2983"\w* \w a|strong="G2983"\w* \w different|strong="G2087"\w* \w spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w from|strong="G2064"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w one|strong="G3739"\w* \w you|strong="G3739"\w* \w received|strong="G2983"\w*, \w or|strong="G2228"\w* \w a|strong="G2983"\w* \w different|strong="G2087"\w* \w gospel|strong="G2098"\w* \w from|strong="G2064"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w one|strong="G3739"\w* \w you|strong="G3739"\w* \w accepted|strong="G1209"\w*, \w you|strong="G3739"\w* \w easily|strong="G3756"\w* \w put|strong="G2983"\w* \w up|strong="G2064"\w* \w with|strong="G2064"\w* \w it|strong="G1063"\w*.\f + \fr 11:4 \ft The impression one gets is that the Corinthian believers were lacking in discernment, or commitment, or both.\f*   
\s1 Paul ministered without charge  
\p
\v 5 Now \w I|strong="G1063"\w* \w consider|strong="G3049"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w I|strong="G1063"\w* \w am|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3367"\w* \w at|strong="G3588"\w* \w all|strong="G3588"\w* \w inferior|strong="G5302"\w* \w to|strong="G1063"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w very|strong="G3029"\w* best apostles.  
\v 6 \w Though|strong="G1487"\w* \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* trained \w speaker|strong="G3056"\w*, \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w do|strong="G2532"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w knowledge|strong="G1108"\w*—\w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w we|strong="G2532"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w been|strong="G2532"\w* fully \w manifested|strong="G5319"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w things|strong="G3956"\w*.  
\v 7 \w Or|strong="G2228"\w* \w did|strong="G4160"\w* \w I|strong="G3754"\w* \w commit|strong="G4160"\w* \w a|strong="G4160"\w* sin \w in|strong="G2316"\w* \w humbling|strong="G5013"\w* \w self|strong="G1683"\w* \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w might|strong="G2316"\w* \w be|strong="G2316"\w* \w exalted|strong="G5312"\w*, \w in|strong="G2316"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w I|strong="G3754"\w* \w proclaimed|strong="G2097"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s \w Gospel|strong="G2098"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* free \w of|strong="G2316"\w* charge?  
\v 8 \w I|strong="G2532"\w* ‘\w robbed|strong="G4813"\w*’ \w other|strong="G3762"\w* congregations, \w receiving|strong="G2983"\w* \w support|strong="G3800"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w* \w so|strong="G2532"\w* \w as|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w serve|strong="G1248"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*,  
\v 9 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w when|strong="G2532"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w need|strong="G5303"\w*, \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w did|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G2064"\w* \w burden|strong="G2655"\w* \w anyone|strong="G3956"\w*; \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* brothers \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w came|strong="G2064"\w* \w from|strong="G2064"\w* \w Macedonia|strong="G3109"\w* \w supplied|strong="G4322"\w* \w my|strong="G5083"\w* \w need|strong="G5303"\w*. \w Yes|strong="G1063"\w*, \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w kept|strong="G5083"\w* \w myself|strong="G1683"\w* \w from|strong="G2064"\w* \w being|strong="G2532"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w burden|strong="G2655"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w anything|strong="G3956"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w keep|strong="G5083"\w* \w on|strong="G1722"\w*.   
\s1 Exposing deceivers  
\p
\v 10 \w The|strong="G1722"\w* truth \w of|strong="G1722"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w*: \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w boasting|strong="G2746"\w* \w will|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* silenced \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w regions|strong="G2824"\w* \w of|strong="G1722"\w* Achaia.  
\v 11 \w Why|strong="G5101"\w*? \w Because|strong="G3754"\w* \w I|strong="G3754"\w* \w do|strong="G5101"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* love \w you|strong="G5210"\w*? \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w knows|strong="G1492"\w*!  
\v 12 Further, \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w will|strong="G2309"\w* \w keep|strong="G4160"\w* \w on|strong="G1722"\w* \w doing|strong="G4160"\w* \w what|strong="G3739"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w do|strong="G4160"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w order|strong="G2443"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w cut|strong="G1581"\w* \w off|strong="G1581"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* opportunity \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w desire|strong="G2309"\w* \w an|strong="G2532"\w* opportunity \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* considered equal \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w us|strong="G4160"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w things|strong="G3588"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w boast|strong="G2744"\w*.  
\v 13 \w Such|strong="G5108"\w* \w men|strong="G5108"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* really \w false|strong="G5570"\w* \w apostles|strong="G5570"\w*, \w deceitful|strong="G1386"\w* \w workers|strong="G2040"\w*, transforming \w themselves|strong="G1519"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* ‘\w apostles|strong="G5570"\w*’ \w of|strong="G3588"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*.\f + \fr 11:13 \ft There have always been those who want to ‘get on the bandwagon’, to get a free ride; who traffic in spiritual things for personal, temporal advantage. Since such people only do damage, Paul's desire to expose them stems from his concern for the Corinthians' welfare.\f*  
\v 14 \w And|strong="G2532"\w* \w no|strong="G3756"\w* \w wonder|strong="G2295"\w*, \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w Satan|strong="G4567"\w* \w himself|strong="G1519"\w* masquerades \w as|strong="G1519"\w* \w an|strong="G2532"\w* angel \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w light|strong="G5457"\w*.  
\v 15 \w So|strong="G3767"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w no|strong="G3756"\w* \w great|strong="G3173"\w* \w thing|strong="G3739"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w his|strong="G2532"\w* \w servants|strong="G1249"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* masquerade \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w ministers|strong="G1249"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w*,\f + \fr 11:15 \ft It is well to remember that neither Satan nor his servants are in the habit of appearing with horns and tails. Just because someone ‘looks good’ doesn't mean that he is.\f* \w whose|strong="G3739"\w* \w end|strong="G5056"\w* \w will|strong="G1510"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w their|strong="G2532"\w* \w works|strong="G2041"\w*.   
\s2 A little ‘necessary’ boasting  
\p
\v 16 \w Again|strong="G3825"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w say|strong="G3004"\w*, \w let|strong="G1161"\w* \w no|strong="G3361"\w* \w one|strong="G5100"\w* \w think|strong="G1380"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w* \w a|strong="G5613"\w* fool. \w But|strong="G1161"\w* \w should|strong="G5100"\w* \w anyone|strong="G5100"\w* \w do|strong="G5101"\w* \w so|strong="G2443"\w*, \w at|strong="G1161"\w* \w least|strong="G3398"\w* \w receive|strong="G1209"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w a|strong="G5613"\w* fool, \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w also|strong="G1161"\w* \w may|strong="G2443"\w* \w boast|strong="G2744"\w* \w a|strong="G5613"\w* \w little|strong="G3398"\w* bit.  
\v 17 \w What|strong="G3739"\w* \w I|strong="G3739"\w* \w am|strong="G3588"\w* \w going|strong="G3778"\w* \w to|strong="G2596"\w* \w say|strong="G2980"\w* \w I|strong="G3739"\w* \w do|strong="G1722"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w say|strong="G2980"\w* \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G2596"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w*, \w but|strong="G3588"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w though|strong="G5613"\w* foolishly,\f + \fr 11:17 \ft The implication would appear to be that whatever we do that is not ‘according to the Lord’ is foolish.\f* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w confident|strong="G1722"\w* \w boasting|strong="G2746"\w*.  
\v 18 \w Since|strong="G1893"\w* \w many|strong="G4183"\w* \w are|strong="G4183"\w* \w boasting|strong="G2744"\w* \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G2596"\w* \w the|strong="G2596"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w*, \w I|strong="G2504"\w* \w will|strong="G4183"\w* too  
\v 19 (\w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w you|strong="G1510"\w* put up \w with|strong="G3588"\w* fools \w gladly|strong="G2234"\w*, \w being|strong="G1510"\w* \w so|strong="G1063"\w* \w wise|strong="G5429"\w* yourselves!).  
\v 20 \w In|strong="G1519"\w* fact, \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w even|strong="G1519"\w* \w put|strong="G2983"\w* \w up|strong="G1869"\w* \w with|strong="G1519"\w* \w someone|strong="G5100"\w* \w who|strong="G5100"\w* \w enslaves|strong="G2615"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w who|strong="G5100"\w* ‘\w devours|strong="G2719"\w*’ \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w who|strong="G5100"\w* \w takes|strong="G2983"\w* advantage, \w who|strong="G5100"\w* \w exalts|strong="G1869"\w* \w himself|strong="G1519"\w*, \w who|strong="G5100"\w* beats \w on|strong="G1519"\w* \w your|strong="G1487"\w* \w face|strong="G4383"\w*!\f + \fr 11:20 \ft Paul is really worked up. Even allowing for his sarcasm, there were evidently negative things going on at Corinth that we do not know about.\f*  
\v 21 \w Is|strong="G3739"\w* \w it|strong="G3754"\w* disrespectful \w to|strong="G2596"\w* \w say|strong="G3004"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w were|strong="G5613"\w* ‘weak’?\f + \fr 11:21 \ft I found this sentence to be especially difficult to translate, and am not sure I got it right. Compared to the types described in verse 20, he might have come across as being ‘weak’.\f*  
\p \w In|strong="G1722"\w* \w whatever|strong="G3739"\w* \w anyone|strong="G5100"\w* \w is|strong="G3739"\w* \w bold|strong="G5111"\w* (\w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w speak|strong="G3004"\w* foolishly), \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w am|strong="G1473"\w* \w bold|strong="G5111"\w* \w also|strong="G1161"\w*.  
\v 22 \w Are|strong="G1510"\w* \w they|strong="G1510"\w* \w Hebrews|strong="G1445"\w*? \w So|strong="G2504"\w* \w am|strong="G1510"\w* \w I|strong="G2504"\w*. \w Are|strong="G1510"\w* \w they|strong="G1510"\w* \w Israelites|strong="G2475"\w*? \w So|strong="G2504"\w* \w am|strong="G1510"\w* \w I|strong="G2504"\w*. \w Are|strong="G1510"\w* \w they|strong="G1510"\w* \w descendants|strong="G4690"\w* \w of|strong="G4690"\w* Abraham? \w So|strong="G2504"\w* \w am|strong="G1510"\w* \w I|strong="G2504"\w*.  
\v 23 \w Are|strong="G1510"\w* \w they|strong="G1510"\w* \w ministers|strong="G1249"\w* \w of|strong="G1722"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*? (\w I|strong="G1473"\w*'m \w being|strong="G1510"\w* irrational) \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w am|strong="G1510"\w* \w more|strong="G5228"\w*: \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w labors|strong="G2873"\w* \w more|strong="G5228"\w* \w abundantly|strong="G4056"\w*, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w beatings|strong="G4127"\w* \w beyond|strong="G5228"\w* count, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w prison|strong="G5438"\w* \w more|strong="G5228"\w* frequently, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* ‘\w deaths|strong="G2288"\w*’ \w often|strong="G4178"\w*\f + \fr 11:23 \ft Verses 24 and 25 spell out the ‘deaths’; verse 26 resumes with the ‘in’s. We have no record of most of the experiences listed, an impressive list! Humanly speaking, he should have died several times.\f*—  
\v 24 \w five|strong="G3999"\w* \w times|strong="G3999"\w* \w from|strong="G3844"\w* \w the|strong="G2983"\w* \w Jews|strong="G2453"\w* \w I|strong="G2453"\w* \w received|strong="G2983"\w* \w the|strong="G2983"\w* ‘\w forty|strong="G5062"\w* lashes minus \w one|strong="G1520"\w*’;\f + \fr 11:24 \ft Deuteronomy 25:3 forbids exceeding forty blows, so the Jews always stopped one short, just in case they had miscounted.\f*  
\v 25 \w three|strong="G5151"\w* \w times|strong="G5151"\w* \w I|strong="G1722"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w beaten|strong="G4463"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w rods|strong="G4463"\w*; once \w I|strong="G1722"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w stoned|strong="G3034"\w*; \w three|strong="G5151"\w* \w times|strong="G5151"\w* \w I|strong="G1722"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w shipwrecked|strong="G3489"\w* (\w I|strong="G1722"\w* \w spent|strong="G4160"\w* twenty-four hours \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* open sea)—  
\v 26 \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w frequent|strong="G4178"\w* \w journeys|strong="G3597"\w*, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w danger|strong="G2794"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w rivers|strong="G4215"\w*, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w danger|strong="G2794"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w robbers|strong="G3027"\w*, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w danger|strong="G2794"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w my|strong="G1722"\w* \w countrymen|strong="G1085"\w*, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w danger|strong="G2794"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w Gentiles|strong="G1484"\w*, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w danger|strong="G2794"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w cities|strong="G4172"\w*, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w danger|strong="G2794"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* wildernesses, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w danger|strong="G2794"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w sea|strong="G2281"\w*, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w danger|strong="G2794"\w* \w among|strong="G1722"\w* \w false|strong="G5569"\w* brothers;  
\v 27 \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w toil|strong="G2873"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w hardship|strong="G3449"\w*, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w many|strong="G4178"\w* sleepless nights, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w hunger|strong="G3042"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w thirst|strong="G1373"\w*, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w frequent|strong="G4178"\w* \w fastings|strong="G3521"\w*, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w cold|strong="G5592"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w nakedness|strong="G1132"\w*\f + \fr 11:27 \ft When the Lord told Ananias to go and restore Saul's sight, and he protested, the Lord continued, “For I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name's sake” (Acts 9:16). Paul paid for what he did against the early Church. By the way, we usually have to pay for our misdeeds down here (how can you pay in Heaven?).\f*—  
\v 28 \w quite|strong="G3956"\w* \w apart|strong="G5565"\w* \w from|strong="G2596"\w* \w the|strong="G3956"\w* \w other|strong="G3588"\w* \w things|strong="G3956"\w*, \w my|strong="G3956"\w* \w daily|strong="G2250"\w* disturbances, \w my|strong="G3956"\w* \w concern|strong="G3308"\w* \w for|strong="G3956"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w the|strong="G3956"\w* congregations.  
\v 29 \w Who|strong="G5101"\w* \w is|strong="G5101"\w* weak, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w do|strong="G5101"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* feel \w it|strong="G2532"\w*? \w Who|strong="G5101"\w* \w is|strong="G5101"\w* caused \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w stumble|strong="G4624"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w do|strong="G5101"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w burn|strong="G4448"\w* \it with indignation\it*?   
\s1 When I am weak, then I am strong  
\p
\v 30 Well, \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w must|strong="G1163"\w* \w boast|strong="G2744"\w*, \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w will|strong="G1473"\w* \w boast|strong="G2744"\w* \w of|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w things|strong="G3588"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* concern \w my|strong="G1473"\w* weakness.  
\v 31 \w The|strong="G2532"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w Father|strong="G3962"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G2962"\w*,\f + \fr 11:31 \ft Perhaps 4% of the Greek manuscripts omit “Christ”, to be followed by NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.\f* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w blessed|strong="G2128"\w* \w forever|strong="G1519"\w*, \w knows|strong="G1492"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w am|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w lying|strong="G5574"\w*.  
\v 32 \w In|strong="G1722"\w* \w Damascus|strong="G1154"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w governor|strong="G1481"\w* \w under|strong="G1722"\w* \w King|strong="G3588"\w* Aretas \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w guarding|strong="G5432"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w city|strong="G4172"\w* \w of|strong="G4172"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Damascenes|strong="G1153"\w*, wanting \w to|strong="G1722"\w* \w arrest|strong="G4084"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w*;  
\v 33 \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* lowered \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w basket|strong="G4553"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w window|strong="G2376"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w wall|strong="G5038"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w escaped|strong="G1628"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w his|strong="G1223"\w* \w hands|strong="G5495"\w*.\f + \fr 11:33 \ft Apparently Paul considered this to be a humiliating experience.\f*   
\c 12  
\s2 A visit to the third heaven  
\m
\v 1 \w It|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G2962"\w* doubtless \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w profitable|strong="G4851"\w* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w me|strong="G1163"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w boast|strong="G2744"\w*; \w still|strong="G2064"\w*, \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w go|strong="G2064"\w* \w on|strong="G1519"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w visions|strong="G3701"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* revelations \w from|strong="G2064"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w*.  
\v 2 \w I|strong="G2193"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w* \w a|strong="G1722"\w* \w man|strong="G5108"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w fourteen|strong="G1180"\w* \w years|strong="G2094"\w* \w ago|strong="G4253"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w caught|strong="G5108"\w* \w up|strong="G1722"\w* \w to|strong="G2193"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w third|strong="G5154"\w* \w heaven|strong="G3772"\w*—\w whether|strong="G1535"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w body|strong="G4983"\w* \w or|strong="G1535"\w* \w outside|strong="G1622"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w it|strong="G2193"\w*, \w I|strong="G2193"\w* \w do|strong="G1492"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w*, \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w knows|strong="G1492"\w*.  
\v 3 Yes, \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w* \w such|strong="G5108"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w man|strong="G5108"\w*—\w whether|strong="G1535"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w body|strong="G4983"\w* \w or|strong="G1535"\w* outside \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w*, \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w do|strong="G1492"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w*, \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w knows|strong="G1492"\w*—  
\v 4 \w how|strong="G3754"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* caught \w up|strong="G1519"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w Paradise|strong="G3857"\w*\f + \fr 12:4 \ft “Paradise” here evidently refers to Heaven. In Luke 23:43 it refers to the half of Hades (Sheol in the OT) that was reserved for the righteous dead.\f* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* heard inexpressible \w things|strong="G3588"\w*, \w things|strong="G3588"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w man|strong="G1519"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w permitted|strong="G1832"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w tell|strong="G2980"\w*.  
\v 5 \w I|strong="G1473"\w* can \w boast|strong="G2744"\w* \w about|strong="G1722"\w* someone \w like|strong="G5108"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w*, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w about|strong="G1722"\w* \w myself|strong="G1683"\w*, \w unless|strong="G1487"\w* \w it|strong="G1161"\w* \w be|strong="G3756"\w* \w my|strong="G1722"\w* weakness.  
\v 6 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w even|strong="G1161"\w* \w if|strong="G1437"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w wanted|strong="G2309"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w go|strong="G2309"\w* \w on|strong="G1519"\w* \w boasting|strong="G2744"\w*, \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w would|strong="G2309"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* stupid \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w speak|strong="G3004"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* truth;\f + \fr 12:6 \ft To exaggerate would be stupid.\f* \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w refrain|strong="G3756"\w*, \w so|strong="G1161"\w* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w no|strong="G3756"\w* \w one|strong="G5100"\w* \w will|strong="G2309"\w* \w think|strong="G3049"\w* \w more|strong="G5228"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w* \w than|strong="G2228"\w* \w what|strong="G3739"\w* \w he|strong="G1161"\w* sees \w in|strong="G1519"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w* \w and|strong="G1161"\w* hears \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w*.   
\s2 The ‘thorn in the flesh’  
\p
\v 7 \w Because|strong="G2532"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* incredible importance \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* revelations, \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w keep|strong="G3361"\w* \w me|strong="G1325"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* feeling \w too|strong="G2532"\w* important, \w there|strong="G2532"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w given|strong="G1325"\w* \w me|strong="G1325"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w thorn|strong="G4647"\w* \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w*, \w a|strong="G2532"\w* messenger \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w Satan|strong="G4567"\w*\f + \fr 12:7 \ft ‘Satan’ is Satan. Down through human history God has always used Satan, demons and evil men, both to punish evil and to restrain it (usually in those who are evil). Here God does so with Paul before the fact, that is, to forestall the sin. The procedure was sufficiently unusual that God actually explained to Paul why He did it.\f* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w beat|strong="G2852"\w* \w on|strong="G2532"\w* \w me|strong="G1325"\w*—\w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w keep|strong="G3361"\w* \w me|strong="G1325"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* feeling \w too|strong="G2532"\w* important.  
\v 8 \w Concerning|strong="G5228"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w thing|strong="G3778"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w pleaded|strong="G3870"\w* \w with|strong="G2962"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w three|strong="G5151"\w* \w times|strong="G5151"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w it|strong="G3778"\w* \w might|strong="G3778"\w* depart \w from|strong="G3588"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w*.  
\v 9 \w But|strong="G2532"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w said|strong="G3004"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w*, “\w My|strong="G1722"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* sufficient \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w*, \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w my|strong="G1722"\w* \w power|strong="G1411"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w made|strong="G3004"\w* perfect \w in|strong="G1722"\w* weakness.” \w Therefore|strong="G3767"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w boast|strong="G2744"\w* \w all|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w more|strong="G3123"\w* cheerfully \w about|strong="G1909"\w* \w my|strong="G1722"\w* weaknesses, \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*'s \w power|strong="G1411"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w take|strong="G2744"\w* \w up|strong="G1909"\w* residence \w upon|strong="G1909"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w*.\f + \fr 12:9 \ft That is what the Text says, ‘take up residence’. I would say that for most of us unusual manifestations of God's power are sporadic (if there are any at all)—if the power ‘takes up residence’, the manifestations should be a regular occurrence. The trouble is, there is evidently a considerable price in suffering that must be paid.\f*  
\v 10 \w So|strong="G2532"\w* \w then|strong="G2532"\w*, \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w take|strong="G2106"\w* \w pleasure|strong="G2106"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* weaknesses,\f + \fr 12:10 \ft Well, I must confess that I have not gotten there yet.\f* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w insults|strong="G5196"\w*, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* hardships, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w persecutions|strong="G1375"\w*, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w distresses|strong="G4730"\w*, \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*'s \w sake|strong="G5228"\w*. \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w when|strong="G3752"\w* \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w am|strong="G1510"\w* weak, \w then|strong="G2532"\w* \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w am|strong="G1510"\w* \w strong|strong="G1415"\w*.   
\s1 Apostolic signs were produced  
\p
\v 11 \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w been|strong="G1510"\w* boasting foolishly, \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* drove \w me|strong="G1473"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w*. \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w ought|strong="G3784"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w been|strong="G1510"\w* \w commended|strong="G4921"\w* \w by|strong="G5259"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w nothing|strong="G3762"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w been|strong="G1510"\w* \w inferior|strong="G5302"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w very|strong="G3029"\w* best apostles, \w though|strong="G1487"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w am|strong="G1510"\w* \w nothing|strong="G3762"\w*.  
\v 12 \w Truly|strong="G3303"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* apostolic \w signs|strong="G4592"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* \w produced|strong="G2716"\w* \w among|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w perseverance|strong="G5281"\w*, \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w signs|strong="G4592"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w wonders|strong="G5059"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w miracles|strong="G1411"\w*.  
\v 13 \w Now|strong="G1510"\w* \w in|strong="G1577"\w* \w just|strong="G3588"\w* \w what|strong="G5101"\w* \w were|strong="G1510"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w treated|strong="G2274"\w* \w as|strong="G3739"\w* \w inferior|strong="G2274"\w*, \w compared|strong="G1510"\w* \w to|strong="G3756"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w other|strong="G3062"\w* congregations, \w except|strong="G1487"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w myself|strong="G1473"\w* \w did|strong="G5101"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w burden|strong="G2655"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*? \w Forgive|strong="G5483"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* wrong.\f + \fr 12:13 \ft Yes, it probably was a ‘wrong’, because they were not taught how God's economy works. If Paul had taught them the content of chapter nine of this letter early on, a considerable portion of this letter would not have been necessary.\f*   
\s2 Still not burdening  
\p
\v 14 \w Well|strong="G2532"\w* \w now|strong="G2532"\w*, \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w am|strong="G2532"\w* \w ready|strong="G2093"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w come|strong="G2064"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w a|strong="G2192"\w* \w third|strong="G5154"\w* \w time|strong="G5154"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \it still\it* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w burden|strong="G2655"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w want|strong="G2212"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w your|strong="G2192"\w* \w things|strong="G3778"\w*—\w children|strong="G5043"\w* \w should|strong="G3784"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w save|strong="G2343"\w* \w up|strong="G2343"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w parents|strong="G1118"\w*, \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w parents|strong="G1118"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w children|strong="G5043"\w*.  
\v 15 \w So|strong="G2532"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w gladly|strong="G2236"\w* \w spend|strong="G1159"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w spent|strong="G1159"\w* \w for|strong="G5228"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w sake|strong="G5228"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w your|strong="G2532"\w* \w souls|strong="G5590"\w*, \w even|strong="G2532"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w more|strong="G5228"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* love \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w less|strong="G2276"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w am|strong="G1473"\w* loved.  
\v 16 ‘Ok, ok, \w I|strong="G1473"\w* didn't \w burden|strong="G2599"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w being|strong="G1510"\w* \w crafty|strong="G3835"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w took|strong="G2983"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w by|strong="G3756"\w* deception.’\f + \fr 12:16 \ft In verse 16 Paul repeats a criticism that someone might falsely level at him.\f*  
\v 17 Come now, \w did|strong="G3361"\w* \w I|strong="G3739"\w* actually \w take|strong="G4122"\w* \w advantage|strong="G4122"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w any|strong="G5100"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w those|strong="G3739"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w I|strong="G3739"\w* sent \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*?  
\v 18 \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w urged|strong="G3870"\w* \w Titus|strong="G5103"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w sent|strong="G4882"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* brother \w along|strong="G2532"\w*—\w did|strong="G2532"\w* \w Titus|strong="G5103"\w* \w take|strong="G4122"\w* \w any|strong="G3756"\w* \w advantage|strong="G4122"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*? \w Did|strong="G2532"\w* \w we|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w walk|strong="G4043"\w* \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w same|strong="G2532"\w* \w spirit|strong="G4151"\w*, \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w same|strong="G2532"\w* footprints?   
\s1 A little veiled threatening  
\p
\v 19 \w Do|strong="G1380"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* still \w think|strong="G1380"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w we|strong="G3754"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* defending ourselves \w to|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*? \w It|strong="G3754"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w before|strong="G1722"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w we|strong="G3754"\w* \w speak|strong="G2980"\w*, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*; \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w it|strong="G3754"\w*, dear \w ones|strong="G3748"\w*, \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w a|strong="G1722"\w* view \w to|strong="G1722"\w* \w your|strong="G3956"\w* \w edification|strong="G3619"\w*.  
\v 20 \w Yes|strong="G1063"\w*, \w I|strong="G2504"\w* \w am|strong="G2309"\w* \w afraid|strong="G5399"\w* \w that|strong="G3361"\w* \w when|strong="G2064"\w* \w I|strong="G2504"\w* \w come|strong="G2064"\w* \w I|strong="G2504"\w* \w may|strong="G2064"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w find|strong="G2147"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w such|strong="G3634"\w* \w as|strong="G3634"\w* \w I|strong="G2504"\w* \w wish|strong="G2309"\w*, \w and|strong="G2064"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w find|strong="G2147"\w* \w me|strong="G2504"\w* \w such|strong="G3634"\w* \w as|strong="G3634"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w wish|strong="G2309"\w*—\w may|strong="G2064"\w* \w there|strong="G1063"\w* \w be|strong="G3756"\w* \w no|strong="G3756"\w* \w strife|strong="G2054"\w*, jealousies, \w outbursts|strong="G2372"\w* \w of|strong="G2372"\w* \w anger|strong="G2372"\w*, factions, \w slanders|strong="G2636"\w*, gossipings, conceits, disorders—  
\v 21 \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w when|strong="G2532"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w come|strong="G2064"\w* \w again|strong="G3825"\w* \w my|strong="G1473"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w humble|strong="G5013"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w* \w before|strong="G1909"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w mourn|strong="G3996"\w* \w for|strong="G1909"\w* \w many|strong="G4183"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* previously \w sinned|strong="G4258"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w repented|strong="G3340"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* impurity \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w fornication|strong="G4202"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* licentiousness \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w practiced|strong="G4238"\w*.\f + \fr 12:21 \ft There is only one definite article for the three nouns, and ‘which’ is singular, so the three are regarded as a single ‘package’. Unfortunately there have always been, and continue to be, those who go back to a sinful lifestyle, and stay there. Like Paul, about all we can do for such is ‘mourn’.\f*   
\c 13  
\s2 I will not spare  
\m
\v 1 \w This|strong="G3778"\w* \w is|strong="G3778"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w third|strong="G5154"\w* \w time|strong="G5154"\w* \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w am|strong="G2532"\w* \w coming|strong="G2064"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*. “\w At|strong="G1909"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w mouth|strong="G4750"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w two|strong="G1417"\w* \w or|strong="G2532"\w* \w three|strong="G5140"\w* \w witnesses|strong="G3144"\w* \w shall|strong="G2532"\w* \w every|strong="G3956"\w* \w word|strong="G4487"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w established|strong="G2476"\w*.”\f + \fr 13:1 \ft See Deuteronomy 19:15. It almost seems that Paul is comparing his visits to witnesses.\f*  
\v 2 \w As|strong="G5613"\w* \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w already|strong="G4258"\w* \w said|strong="G2532"\w* \w while|strong="G5613"\w* \w with|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G1437"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w second|strong="G1208"\w* \w time|strong="G1208"\w*, \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w now|strong="G3568"\w* repeat \w in|strong="G1519"\w* writing\f + \fr 13:2 \ft Perhaps 3% of the Greek manuscripts omit “in writing”, to be followed by NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.\f* \w while|strong="G5613"\w* absent, \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w sinned|strong="G4258"\w* \w before|strong="G1519"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w rest|strong="G3062"\w*: \w If|strong="G1437"\w* \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w come|strong="G2064"\w* \w again|strong="G3825"\w* \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w spare|strong="G5339"\w*,  
\v 3 \w since|strong="G1893"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w want|strong="G2212"\w* \w proof|strong="G1382"\w* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w speaking|strong="G2980"\w* \w through|strong="G1722"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w*—\w He|strong="G3739"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* weak \w toward|strong="G1519"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w but|strong="G3588"\w* powerful \w among|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*  
\v 4 (\w although|strong="G5210"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w was|strong="G2532"\w* \w crucified|strong="G4717"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* weakness, \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w lives|strong="G2198"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w power|strong="G1411"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*). \w Now|strong="G2532"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w are|strong="G2532"\w* weak \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Him|strong="G1722"\w*, \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w live|strong="G2198"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w Him|strong="G1722"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w power|strong="G1411"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w toward|strong="G1519"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*.\f + \fr 13:4 \ft Being weak in God's presence is one thing; being weak in our work for Him is quite another. I take Paul to be saying that being weak in God's presence triggers the outflow of His power in our work.\f*   
\s2 Examine yourselves  
\p
\v 5 \w Examine|strong="G1381"\w* \w yourselves|strong="G1438"\w* \w as|strong="G1722"\w* \w to|strong="G1722"\w* \w whether|strong="G1487"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w*; \w test|strong="G3985"\w* \w yourselves|strong="G1438"\w*. \w Do|strong="G1510"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w yourselves|strong="G1438"\w* really \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w know|strong="G1921"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*?\f + \fr 13:5 \ft Sin does have a way of undermining confidence. A Christian who keeps on sinning tends to become less and less sure of his salvation.\f*—\w unless|strong="G1487"\w* \w indeed|strong="G1510"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* disqualified.  
\v 6 \w Well|strong="G3756"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w trust|strong="G1679"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w you|strong="G3754"\w* \w will|strong="G1510"\w* \w know|strong="G1097"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \nd \+w we|strong="G2249"\+w*\nd* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* disqualified.   
\p
\v 7 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w pray|strong="G2172"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w do|strong="G4160"\w* \w no|strong="G3756"\w* \w evil|strong="G2556"\w*; \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w may|strong="G2443"\w* \w appear|strong="G5316"\w* \w approved|strong="G1384"\w*, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w may|strong="G2443"\w* \w do|strong="G4160"\w* \w what|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w right|strong="G2570"\w* (\w even|strong="G1161"\w* \w though|strong="G5613"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w may|strong="G2443"\w* \w appear|strong="G5316"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w have|strong="G1473"\w* \w failed|strong="G3756"\w*).\f + \fr 13:7 \ft I don't understand this.\f*  
\v 8 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w we|strong="G1063"\w* \w cannot|strong="G1410"\w* \w do|strong="G1410"\w* \w anything|strong="G5100"\w* \w against|strong="G2596"\w* \w the|strong="G2596"\w* Truth, \w but|strong="G1063"\w* \w only|strong="G3756"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w the|strong="G2596"\w* Truth.  
\v 9 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w glad|strong="G5463"\w* \w when|strong="G3752"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* weak \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w strong|strong="G1415"\w*. \w And|strong="G2532"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w pray|strong="G2172"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w*, \w your|strong="G2532"\w* perfecting.  
\v 10 \w This|strong="G3778"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w why|strong="G1223"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w write|strong="G1125"\w* \w these|strong="G3778"\w* \w things|strong="G3778"\w* \w while|strong="G2532"\w* absent, \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w when|strong="G2532"\w* \w present|strong="G3918"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* deal harshly, \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w authority|strong="G1849"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w gave|strong="G1325"\w* \w me|strong="G1325"\w*, \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w building|strong="G3619"\w* \w up|strong="G1519"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w tearing|strong="G2506"\w* \w down|strong="G2596"\w*.   
\ms1 Conclusion  
\p
\v 11 \w Finally|strong="G3063"\w*, brothers, \w rejoice|strong="G5463"\w*; \w restore|strong="G2675"\w* \w each|strong="G3326"\w* \w other|strong="G3588"\w*; \w encourage|strong="G3870"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w* \w another|strong="G3588"\w*; \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w* \w mind|strong="G5426"\w*; \w live|strong="G2532"\w* \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w peace|strong="G1515"\w*; \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* love \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w peace|strong="G1515"\w* \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w with|strong="G3326"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*.   
\p
\v 12 Greet \w one|strong="G3956"\w* \w another|strong="G3588"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w a|strong="G1722"\w* holy \w kiss|strong="G5370"\w*.   
\p
\v 13 \w All|strong="G3956"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* saints greet \w you|strong="G5210"\w*.   
\p
\v 14 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.\f + \fr 13:14 \ft Here we have a clear reference to the Trinity.\f*  
\p Amen.