GetPassageurn:cts:pbc:bible.parallel.eng.darby:47urn:cts:pbc:bible.parallel.eng.darby:47Paul , apostle of Jesus Christ by God's will , and the brother Timotheus , to the assembly of God which is in Corinth , with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia . Grace to you , and peace from God our Father , and [ the ] Lord Jesus Christ . Blessed [ be ] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ , the Father of compassions , and God of all encouragement ; who encourages us in all our tribulation , that we may be able to encourage those who are in any tribulation whatever , through the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged of God . Because , even as the sufferings of the Christ abound towards us , so through the Christ does our encouragement also abound . But whether we are in tribulation , [ it is ] for your encouragement and salvation , wrought in the endurance of the same sufferings which * we * also suffer , ( and our hope for you [ is ] sure ; ) or whether we are encouraged , [ it is ] for your encouragement and salvation : knowing that as ye are partakers of the sufferings , so also of the encouragement . For we do not wish you to be ignorant , brethren , as to our tribulation which happened [ to us ] in Asia , that we were excessively pressed beyond [ our ] power , so as to despair even of living . But we ourselves had the sentence of death in ourselves , that we should not have our trust in ourselves , but in God who raises the dead ; who has delivered us from so great a death , and does deliver ; in whom we confide that he will also yet deliver ; ye also labouring together by supplication for us that the gift towards us , through means of many persons , may be the subject of the thanksgiving of many for us . For our boasting is this , the testimony of our conscience , that in simplicity and sincerity before God , ( not in fleshly wisdom but in God's grace , ) we have had our conversation in the world , and more abundantly towards you . For we do not write other things to you but what ye well know and recognise ; and I hope that ye will recognise to the end , even as also ye have recognised us in part , that we are your boast , even as * ye * [ are ] ours in the day of the Lord Jesus . And with this confidence I purposed to come to you previously , that ye might have a second favour ; and to pass through to Macedonia by you , and again from Macedonia to come to you , and to be set forward by you to Judaea . Having therefore this purpose , did I then use lightness ? Or what I purpose , do I purpose according to flesh , that there should be with me yea yea , and nay nay ? Now God [ is ] faithful , that our word to you is not yea and nay . For the Son of God , Jesus Christ , he who has been preached by us among you ( by me and Silvanus and Timotheus ) , did not become yea and nay , but yea * is * in him . For whatever promises of God [ there are ] , in him is the yea , and in him the amen , for glory to God by us . Now he that establishes us with you in Christ , and has anointed us , [ is ] God , who also has sealed us , and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts . But I call God to witness upon my soul that to spare you I have not yet come to Corinth . Not that we rule over your faith , but are fellow-workmen of your joy : for by faith ye stand . But I have judged this with myself , not to come back to you in grief . For if * I * grieve you , who also [ is ] it that gladdens me , if not he that is grieved through me ? And I have written this very [ letter ] [ to you ] , that coming I may not have grief from those from whom I ought to have joy ; trusting in you all that my joy is [ that ] of you all . For out of much tribulation and distress of heart I wrote to you , with many tears ; not that ye may be grieved , but that ye may know the love which I have very abundantly towards you . But if any one has grieved , he has grieved , not me , but in part ( that I may not overcharge [ you ] ) all of you . Sufficient to such a one [ is ] this rebuke which [ has been inflicted ] by the many ; so that on the contrary ye should rather shew grace and encourage , lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with excessive grief . Wherefore I exhort you to assure him of [ your ] love . For to this end also I have written , that I might know , by putting you to the test , if as to everything ye are obedient . But to whom ye forgive anything , * I * also ; for I also , what I have forgiven , if I have forgiven anything , [ it is ] for your sakes in [ the ] person of Christ ; that we might not have Satan get an advantage against us , for we are not ignorant of * his * thoughts . Now when I came to Troas for the [ publication of the ] glad tidings of the Christ , a door also being opened to me in [ the ] Lord , I had no rest in my spirit at not finding Titus my brother ; but bidding them adieu , I came away to Macedonia . But thanks [ be ] to God , who always leads us in triumph in the Christ , and makes manifest the odour of his knowledge through us in every place . For we are a sweet odour of Christ to God , in the saved and in those that perish : to the one an odour from death unto death , but to the others an odour from life unto life ; and who [ is ] sufficient for these things ? For we do not , as the many , make a trade of the word of God ; but as of sincerity , but as of God , before God , we speak in Christ . Do we begin again to commend ourselves ? or do we need , as some , commendatory letters to you , or [ commendatory ] from you ? * Ye * are our letter , written in our hearts , known and read of all men , being manifested to be Christ's epistle ministered by us , written , not with ink , but [ the ] Spirit of [ the ] living God ; not on stone tables , but on fleshy tables of [ the ] heart . And such confidence have we through the Christ towards God : not that we are competent of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves , but our competency [ is ] of God ; who has also made us competent , [ as ] ministers of [ the ] new covenant ; not of letter , but of spirit . For the letter kills , but the Spirit quickens . ( But if the ministry of death , in letters , graven in stones , began with glory , so that the children of Israel could not fix their eyes on the face of Moses , on account of the glory of his face , [ a glory ] which is annulled ; how shall not rather the ministry of the Spirit subsist in glory ? For if the ministry of condemnation [ be ] glory , much rather the ministry of righteousness abounds in glory . For also that [ which was ] glorified is not glorified in this respect , on account of the surpassing glory . For if that annulled [ was introduced ] with glory , much rather that which abides [ subsists ] in glory . Having therefore such hope , we use much boldness : and not according as Moses put a veil on his own face , so that the children of Israel should not fix their eyes on the end of that annulled . But their thoughts have been darkened , for unto this day the same veil remains in reading the old covenant , unremoved , which in Christ is annulled . But unto this day , when Moses is read , the veil lies upon their heart . But when it shall turn to [ the ] Lord , the veil is taken away . ) Now the Lord is the Spirit , but where the Spirit of [ the ] Lord [ is , there is ] liberty . But * we * all , looking on the glory of the Lord , with unveiled face , are transformed according to the same image from glory to glory , even as by [ the ] Lord [ the ] Spirit . Therefore , having this ministry , as we have had mercy shewn us , we faint not . But we have rejected the hidden things of shame , not walking in deceit , nor falsifying the word of God , but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every conscience of men before God . But if also our gospel is veiled , it is veiled in those that are lost ; in whom the god of this world has blinded the thoughts of the unbelieving , so that the radiancy of the glad tidings of the glory of the Christ , who is [ the ] image of God , should not shine forth [ for them ] . For we do not preach ourselves , but Christ Jesus Lord , and ourselves your bondmen for Jesus' sake . Because [ it is ] the God who spoke that out of darkness light should shine who has shone in our hearts for the shining forth of the knowledge of the glory of God in [ the ] face of [ Jesus ] Christ . But we have this treasure in earthen vessels , that the surpassingness of the power may be of God , and not from us : every way afflicted , but not straitened ; seeing no apparent issue , but our way not entirely shut up ; persecuted , but not abandoned ; cast down , but not destroyed ; always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus , that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body ; for we who live are always delivered unto death on account of Jesus , that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh ; so that death works in us , but life in you . And having the same spirit of faith , according to what is written , I have believed , therefore have I spoken ; * we * also believe , therefore also we speak ; knowing that he who has raised the Lord Jesus shall raise us also with Jesus , and shall present [ us ] with you . For all things [ are ] for your sakes , that the grace abounding through the many may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God . Wherefore we faint not ; but if indeed our outward man is consumed , yet the inward is renewed day by day . For our momentary [ and ] light affliction works for us in surpassing measure an eternal weight of glory ; while we look not at the things that are seen , but at the things that are not seen ; for the things that are seen [ are ] for a time , but those that are not seen eternal . For we know that if our earthly tabernacle house be destroyed , we have a building from God , a house not made with hands , eternal in the heavens . For indeed in this we groan , ardently desiring to have put on our house which [ is ] from heaven ; if indeed being also clothed we shall not be found naked . For indeed we who are in the tabernacle groan , being burdened ; while yet we do not wish to be unclothed , but clothed , that [ what is ] mortal may be swallowed up by life . Now he that has wrought us for this very thing [ is ] God , who also has given to us the earnest of the Spirit . Therefore [ we are ] always confident , and know that while present in the body we are absent from the Lord , ( for we walk by faith , not by sight ; ) we are confident , I say , and pleased rather to be absent from the body and present with the Lord . Wherefore also we are zealous , whether present or absent , to be agreeable to him . For we must all be manifested before the judgment-seat of the Christ , that each may receive the things [ done ] in the body , according to those he has done , whether [ it be ] good or evil . Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord we persuade men , but have been manifested to God , and I hope also that we have been manifested in your consciences . [ For ] we do not again commend ourselves to you , but [ we are ] giving to you occasion of boast in our behalf , that ye may have [ such ] with those boasting in countenance , and not in heart . For whether we are beside ourselves , [ it is ] to God ; or are sober , [ it is ] for you . For the love of the Christ constrains us , having judged this : that one died for all , then all have died ; and he died for all , that they who live should no longer live to themselves , but to him who died for them and has been raised . So that * we * henceforth know no one according to flesh ; but if even we have known Christ according to flesh , yet now we know [ him thus ] no longer . So if any one [ be ] in Christ , [ there is ] a new creation ; the old things have passed away ; behold all things have become new : and all things [ are ] of the God who has reconciled us to himself by [ Jesus ] Christ , and given to us the ministry of that reconciliation : how that God was in Christ , reconciling the world to himself , not reckoning to them their offences ; and putting in us the word of that reconciliation . We are ambassadors therefore for Christ , God as [ it were ] beseeching by us , we entreat for Christ , Be reconciled to God . Him who knew not sin he has made sin for us , that * we * might become God's righteousness in him . But [ as ] fellow-workmen , we also beseech that ye receive not the grace of God in vain : ( for he says , I have listened to thee in an accepted time , and I have helped thee in a day of salvation : behold , now [ is the ] well-accepted time ; behold , now [ the ] day of salvation : ) giving no manner of offence in anything , that the ministry be not blamed ; but in everything commending ourselves as God's ministers , in much endurance , in afflictions , in necessities , in straits , in stripes , in prisons , in riots , in labours , in watchings , in fastings , in pureness , in knowledge , in longsuffering , in kindness , in [ the ] Holy Spirit , in love unfeigned , in [ the ] word of truth , in [ the ] power of God ; through the arms of righteousness on the right hand and left , through glory and dishonour , through evil report and good report : as deceivers , and true ; as unknown , and well known ; as dying , and behold , we live ; as disciplined , and not put to death ; as grieved , but always rejoicing ; as poor , but enriching many ; as having nothing , and possessing all things . Our mouth is opened to you , Corinthians , our heart is expanded . Ye are not straitened in us , but ye are straitened in your affections ; but for an answering recompense , ( I speak as to children , ) let * your * heart also expand itself . Be not diversely yoked with unbelievers ; for what participation [ is there ] between righteousness and lawlessness ? or what fellowship of light with darkness ? and what consent of Christ with Beliar , or what part for a believer along with an unbeliever ? and what agreement of God's temple with idols ? for * ye * are [ the ] living God's temple ; according as God has said , I will dwell among them , and walk among [ them ] ; and I will be their God , and they shall be to me a people . Wherefore come out from the midst of them , and be separated , saith [ the ] Lord , and touch not [ what is ] unclean , and * I * will receive you ; and I will be to you for a Father , and ye shall be to me for sons and daughters , saith [ the ] Lord Almighty . Having therefore these promises , beloved , let us purify ourselves from every pollution of flesh and spirit , perfecting holiness in God's fear . Receive us : we have injured no one , we have ruined no one , we have made gain of no one . I do not speak for condemnation , for I have already said that ye are in our hearts , to die together , and live together . Great [ is ] my boldness towards you , great my exulting in respect of you ; I am filled with encouragement ; I overabound in joy under all our affliction . For indeed , when we came into Macedonia , our flesh had no rest , but [ we were ] afflicted in every way ; without combats , within fears . But he who encourages those that are [ brought ] low , [ even ] God , encouraged us by the coming of Titus ; and not by his coming only , but also through the encouragement with which he was encouraged as to you ; relating to us your ardent desire , your mourning , your zeal for me ; so that I the more rejoiced . For if also I grieved you in the letter , I do not regret [ it ] , if even I have regretted it ; for I see that that letter , if even [ it were ] only for a time , grieved you . Now I rejoice , not that ye have been grieved , but that ye have been grieved to repentance ; for ye have been grieved according to God , that in nothing ye might be injured by us . For grief according to God works repentance to salvation , never to be regretted ; but the grief of the world works death . For , behold , this same thing , your being grieved according to God , how much diligence it wrought in * you * , but [ what ] excusing [ of yourselves ] , but [ what ] indignation , but [ what ] fear , but [ what ] ardent desire , but [ what ] zeal , but [ what ] vengeance : in every way ye have proved yourselves to be pure in the matter . So then , if also I wrote to you , [ it was ] not for the sake of him that injured , nor for the sake of him that was injured , but for the sake of our diligent zeal for you being manifested to you before God . For this reason we have been encouraged . And we the rather rejoiced in our encouragement more abundantly by reason of the joy of Titus , because his spirit has been refreshed by you all . Because if I boasted to him anything about you , I have not been put to shame ; but as we have spoken to you all things in truth , so also our boasting to Titus has been [ the ] truth ; and his affections are more abundantly towards you , calling to mind the obedience of you all , how with fear and trembling ye received him . I rejoice that in everything I am confident as to you . But we make known to you , brethren , the grace of God bestowed in the assemblies of Macedonia ; that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty has abounded to the riches of their [ free-hearted ] liberality . For according to [ their ] power , I bear witness , and beyond [ their ] power , [ they were ] willing of their own accord , begging of us with much entreaty [ to give effect to ] the grace and fellowship of the service which [ was to be rendered ] to the saints . And not according as we hoped , but they gave themselves first to the Lord , and to us by God's will . So that we begged Titus that , according as he had before begun , so he would also complete as to you this grace also ; but even as ye abound in every way , in faith , and word , and knowledge , and all diligence , and in love from you to us , that ye may abound in this grace also . I do not speak as commanding [ it ] , but through the zeal of others , and proving the genuineness of your love . For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ , that for your sakes he , being rich , became poor , in order that * ye * by * his * poverty might be enriched . And I give [ my ] opinion in this , for this is profitable for you who began before , not only to do , but also to be willing , a year ago . But now also complete the doing of it ; so that as [ there was ] the readiness to be willing , so also to complete out of what ye have . For if the readiness be there , [ a man is ] accepted according to what he may have , not according to what he has not . For [ it is ] not in order that there may be ease for others , and for you distress , but [ on the principle ] of equality ; in the present time your abundance for their lack , that their abundance may be for your lack , so that there should be equality . According as it is written , He who [ gathered ] much had no excess , and he who [ gathered ] little was nothing short . But thanks [ be ] to God , who gives the same diligent zeal for you in the heart of Titus . For he received indeed the entreaty , but , being full of zeal , he went of his own accord to you ; but we have sent with him the brother whose praise [ is ] in the glad tidings through all the assemblies ; and not only [ so ] , but [ is ] also chosen by the assemblies as our fellow-traveller with this grace , ministered by us to the glory of the Lord himself , and [ a witness of ] our readiness ; avoiding this , that any one should blame us in this abundance [ which is ] administered by us ; for we provide for things honest , not only before [ the ] Lord , but also before men . And we have sent with them our brother whom we have often proved to be of diligent zeal in many things , and now more diligently zealous through the great confidence [ he has ] as to you . Whether as regards Titus , [ he is ] my companion and fellow-labourer in your behalf ; or our brethren , [ they are ] deputed messengers of assemblies , Christ's glory . Shew therefore to them , before the assemblies , the proof of your love , and of our boasting about you . For concerning the ministration which [ is ] for the saints , it is superfluous my writing to you . For I know your readiness , which I boast of as respects you to Macedonians , that Achaia is prepared since a year ago , and the zeal [ reported ] of you has stimulated the mass [ of the brethren ] . But I have sent the brethren , in order that our boasting about you may not be made void in this respect , in order that , as I have said , ye may be prepared ; lest haply , if Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared , * we * , that we say not * ye * , may be put to shame in this confidence . I thought it necessary therefore to beg the brethren that they would come to you , and complete beforehand your fore-announced blessing , that this may be ready thus as blessing , and not as got out of you . But this [ is true ] , he that sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly ; and he that sows in [ the spirit of ] blessing shall reap also in blessing : each according as he is purposed in his heart ; not grievingly , or of necessity ; for God loves a cheerful giver . But God is able to make every gracious gift abound towards you , that , having in every way always all-sufficiency , ye may abound to every good work : according as it is written , He has scattered abroad , he has given to the poor , his righteousness remains for ever . Now he that supplies seed to the sower and bread for eating shall supply and make abundant your sowing , and increase the fruits of your righteousness : enriched in every way unto all free-hearted liberality , which works through us thanksgiving to God . Because the ministration of this service is not only filling up the measure of what is lacking to the saints , but also abounding by many thanksgivings to God ; they glorifying God through the proof of this ministration , by reason of your subjection , by profession , to the glad tidings of the Christ , and your free-hearted liberality in communicating towards them and towards all ; and in their supplication for you , full of ardent desire for you , on account of the exceeding grace of God [ which is ] upon you . Thanks [ be ] to God for his unspeakable free gift . But I myself , Paul , entreat you by the meekness and gentleness of the Christ , who , as to appearance , [ when present ] [ am ] mean among you , but absent am bold towards you ; but I beseech that present I may not be bold with the confidence with which I think to be daring towards some who think of us as walking according to flesh . For walking in flesh , we do not war according to flesh . For the arms of our warfare [ are ] not fleshly , but powerful according to God to [ the ] overthrow of strongholds ; overthrowing reasonings and every high thing that lifts itself up against the knowledge of God , and leading captive every thought into the obedience of the Christ ; and having in readiness to avenge all disobedience when your obedience shall have been fulfilled . Do ye look at what concerns appearance ? If any one has confidence in himself that he is of Christ , let him think this again in himself , that even as he [ is ] of Christ , so also [ are ] we . For and if I should boast even somewhat more abundantly of our authority , which the Lord has given [ to us ] for building up and not for your overthrowing , I shall not be put to shame ; that I may not seem as if I was frightening you by letters : because his letters , he says , [ are ] weighty and strong , but his presence in the body weak , and his speech naught . Let such a one think this , that such as we are in word by letters [ when ] absent , such also present in deed . For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves ; but these , measuring themselves by themselves , and comparing themselves with themselves , are not intelligent . Now * we * will not boast out of measure , but according to the measure of the rule which the God of measure has apportioned to us , to reach to you also . For we do not , as not reaching to you , overstretch ourselves , ( for we have come to you also in the glad tidings of the Christ ; ) not boasting out of measure in other people's labours , but having hope , your faith increasing , to be enlarged amongst you , according to our rule , yet more abundantly to announce the glad tidings to that [ which is ] beyond you , not to be boasting in another's rule of things made ready to hand . But he that boasts , let him boast in the Lord . For not * he * that commends himself is approved , but whom the Lord commends . Would that ye would bear with me [ in ] a little folly ; but indeed bear with me . For I am jealous as to you with a jealousy [ which is ] of God ; for I have espoused you unto one man , to present [ you ] a chaste virgin to Christ . But I fear lest by any means , as the serpent deceived Eve by his craft , [ so ] your thoughts should be corrupted from simplicity as to the Christ . For if indeed he that comes preaches another Jesus , whom we have not preached , or ye get a different Spirit , which ye have not got , or a different glad tidings , which ye have not received , ye might well bear with [ it ] . For I reckon that in nothing I am behind those who are in surpassing degree apostles . But if [ I am ] a simple person in speech , yet not in knowledge , but in everything making [ the truth ] manifest in all things to you . Have I committed sin , abasing myself in order that * ye * might be exalted , because I gratuitously announced to you the glad tidings of God ? I spoiled other assemblies , receiving hire for ministry towards you . And being present with you and lacking , I did not lazily burden any one , ( for the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied what I lacked , ) and in everything I kept myself from being a burden to you , and will keep myself . [ The ] truth of Christ is in me that this boasting shall not be stopped as to me in the regions of Achaia . Why ? because I do not love you ? God knows . But what I do , I will also do , that I may cut off the opportunity of those wishing [ for ] an opportunity , that wherein they boast they may be found even as we . For such [ are ] false apostles , deceitful workers , transforming themselves into apostles of Christ . And [ it is ] not wonderful , for Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light . It is no great thing therefore if his ministers also transform themselves as ministers of righteousness ; whose end shall be according to their works . Again I say , Let not any one think me to be a fool ; but if otherwise , receive me then even as a fool , that * I * also may boast myself some little . What I speak I do not speak according to [ the ] Lord , but as in folly , in this confidence of boasting . Since many boast according to flesh , * I * also will boast . For ye bear fools readily , being wise . For ye bear if any one bring you into bondage , if any one devour [ you ] , if any one get [ your money ] , if any one exalt himself , if any one beat you on the face . I speak as to dishonour , as though * we * had been weak ; but wherein any one is daring , ( I speak in folly , ) * I * also am daring . Are they Hebrews ? * I * also . Are they Israelites ? * I * also . Are they seed of Abraham ? * I * also . Are they ministers of Christ ? ( I speak as being beside myself ) * I * above measure [ so ] ; in labours exceedingly abundant , in stripes to excess , in prisons exceedingly abundant , in deaths oft . From the Jews five times have I received forty [ stripes ] , save one . Thrice have I been scourged , once I have been stoned , three times I have suffered shipwreck , a night and day I passed in the deep : in journeyings often , in perils of rivers , in perils of robbers , in perils from [ my own ] race , in perils from [ the ] nations , in perils in [ the ] city , in perils in [ the ] desert , in perils on [ the ] sea , in perils among false brethren ; in labour and toil , in watchings often , in hunger and thirst , in fastings often , in cold and nakedness . Besides those things that are without , the crowd [ of cares ] pressing on me daily , the burden of all the assemblies . Who is weak , and I am not weak ? Who is stumbled , and I burn not ? If it is needful to boast , I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity . The God and Father of the Lord Jesus knows -- he who is blessed for ever -- that I do not lie . In Damascus the ethnarch of Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes shut up , wishing to take me ; and through a window in a basket I was let down by the wall , and escaped his hands . Well , it is not of profit to me to boast , for I will come to visions and revelations of [ the ] Lord . I know a man in Christ , fourteen years ago , ( whether in [ the ] body I know not , or out of the body I know not , God knows ; ) such [ a one ] caught up to [ the ] third heaven . And I know such a man , ( whether in [ the ] body or out of the body I know not , God knows ; ) that he was caught up into paradise , and heard unspeakable things said which it is not allowed to man to utter . Of such [ a one ] I will boast , but of myself I will not boast , unless in my weaknesses . For if I shall desire to boast , I shall not be a fool ; for I will say [ the ] truth ; but I forbear , lest any one should think as to me above what he sees me [ to be ] , or whatever he may hear of me . And that I might not be exalted by the exceeding greatness of the revelations , there was given to me a thorn for the flesh , a messenger of Satan that he might buffet me , that I might not be exalted . For this I thrice besought the Lord that it might depart from me . And he said to me , My grace suffices thee ; for [ my ] power is perfected in weakness . Most gladly therefore will I rather boast in my weaknesses , that the power of the Christ may dwell upon me . Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses , in insults , in necessities , in persecutions , in straits , for Christ : for when I am weak , then I am powerful . I have become a fool ; * ye * have compelled me ; for * I * ought to have been commended by you ; for I have been nothing behind those who were in surpassing degree apostles , if also I am nothing . The signs indeed of the apostle were wrought among you in all endurance , signs , and wonders , and works of power . For in what is it that ye have been inferior to the other assemblies , unless that I myself have not been in laziness a charge upon you ? Forgive me this injury . Behold , this third time I am ready to come to you , and I will not be in laziness a charge ; for I do not seek yours , but you ; for the children ought not to lay up for the parents , but the parents for the children . Now * I * shall most gladly spend and be utterly spent for your souls , if even in abundantly loving you I should be less loved . But be it so . * I * did not burden you , but being crafty I took you by guile . Did I make gain of you by any of those whom I have sent to you ? I begged Titus , and sent the brother with [ him ] : did Titus at all make gain of you ? have we not walked in the same spirit ? [ have we ] not in the same steps ? Ye have long been supposing that we excuse ourselves to you : we speak before God in Christ ; and all things , beloved , for your building up . For I fear lest perhaps coming I find you not such as I wish , and that * I * be found by you such as ye do not wish : lest [ there might be ] strifes , jealousies , angers , contentions , evil speakings , whisperings , puffings up , disturbances ; lest my God should humble me as to you when I come again , and that I shall grieve over many of those who have sinned before , and have not repented as to the uncleanness and fornication and licentiousness which they have practised . This third time I am coming to you . In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every matter be established . I have declared beforehand , and I say beforehand as present the second time , and now absent , to those that have sinned before , and to all the rest , that if I come again I will not spare . Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me , ( who is not weak towards you , but is powerful among you , for if indeed he has been crucified in weakness , yet he lives by God's power ; for indeed * we * are weak in him , but we shall live with him by God's power towards you , ) examine your own selves if ye be in the faith ; prove your own selves : do ye not recognise yourselves , that Jesus Christ is in you , unless indeed ye be reprobates ? Now I hope that ye will know that * we * are not reprobates . But we pray to God that ye may do nothing evil ; not that * we * may appear approved , but that * ye * may do what is right , and * we * be as reprobates . For we can do nothing against the truth , but for the truth . For we rejoice when * we * may be weak and * ye * may be powerful . But this also we pray for , your perfecting . On this account I write these things being absent , that being present I may not use severity according to the authority which the Lord has given me for building up , and not for overthrowing . For the rest , brethren , rejoice ; be perfected ; be encouraged ; be of one mind ; be at peace ; and the God of love and peace shall be with you . Salute one another with a holy kiss . All the saints salute you . The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ , and the love of God , and the communion of the Holy Spirit , [ be ] with you all .