GetPassageurn:cts:pbc:bible.parallel.eng.kingjames:47urn:cts:pbc:bible.parallel.eng.kingjames:47Paul , an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God , and Timothy our brother , unto the church of God which is at Corinth , with all the saints which are in all Achaia : Grace be to you and peace from God our Father , and from the Lord Jesus Christ . Blessed be God , even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ , the Father of mercies , and the God of all comfort ; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation , that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble , by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God . For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us , so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ . And whether we be afflicted , it is for your consolation and salvation , which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer : or whether we be comforted , it is for your consolation and salvation . And our hope of you is stedfast , knowing , that as ye are partakers of the sufferings , so shall ye be also of the consolation . For we would not , brethren , have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia , that we were pressed out of measure , above strength , insomuch that we despaired even of life : But we had the sentence of death in ourselves , that we should not trust in ourselves , but in God which raiseth the dead : Who delivered us from so great a death , and doth deliver : in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us ; Ye also helping together by prayer for us , that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf . For our rejoicing is this , the testimony of our conscience , that in simplicity and godly sincerity , not with fleshly wisdom , but by the grace of God , we have had our conversation in the world , and more abundantly to you-ward . For we write none other things unto you , than what ye read or acknowledge ; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end ; As also ye have acknowledged us in part , that we are your rejoicing , even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus . And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before , that ye might have a second benefit ; And to pass by you into Macedonia , and to come again out of Macedonia unto you , and of you to be brought on my way toward Judaea . When I therefore was thus minded , did I use lightness ? or the things that I purpose , do I purpose according to the flesh , that with me there should be yea yea , and nay nay ? But as God is true , our word toward you was not yea and nay . For the Son of God , Jesus Christ , who was preached among you by us , even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus , was not yea and nay , but in him was yea . For all the promises of God in him are yea , and in him Amen , unto the glory of God by us . Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ , and hath anointed us , is God ; Who hath also sealed us , and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts . Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul , that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth . Not for that we have dominion over your faith , but are helpers of your joy : for by faith ye stand . But I determined this with myself , that I would not come again to you in heaviness . For if I make you sorry , who is he then that maketh me glad , but the same which is made sorry by me ? And I wrote this same unto you , lest , when I came , I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice ; having confidence in you all , that my joy is the joy of you all . For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears ; not that ye should be grieved , but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you . But if any have caused grief , he hath not grieved me , but in part : that I may not overcharge you all . Sufficient to such a man is this punishment , which was inflicted of many . So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him , and comfort him , lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow . Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him . For to this end also did I write , that I might know the proof of you , whether ye be obedient in all things . To whom ye forgive any thing , I forgive also : for if I forgave any thing , to whom I forgave it , for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ ; Lest Satan should get an advantage of us : for we are not ignorant of his devices . Furthermore , when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel , and a door was opened unto me of the Lord , I had no rest in my spirit , because I found not Titus my brother : but taking my leave of them , I went from thence into Macedonia . Now thanks be unto God , which always causeth us to triumph in Christ , and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place . For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ , in them that are saved , and in them that perish : To the one we are the savour of death unto death ; and to the other the savour of life unto life . And who is sufficient for these things ? For we are not as many , which corrupt the word of God : but as of sincerity , but as of God , in the sight of God speak we in Christ . Do we begin again to commend ourselves ? or need we , as some others , epistles of commendation to you , or letters of commendation from you ? Ye are our epistle written in our hearts , known and read of all men : Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us , written not with ink , but with the Spirit of the living God ; not in tables of stone , but in fleshy tables of the heart . And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward : Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves ; but our sufficiency is of God ; Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament ; not of the letter , but of the spirit : for the letter killeth , but the spirit giveth life . But if the ministration of death , written and engraven in stones , was glorious , so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance ; which glory was to be done away : How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious ? For if the ministration of condemnation be glory , much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory . For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect , by reason of the glory that excelleth . For if that which is done away was glorious , much more that which remaineth is glorious . Seeing then that we have such hope , we use great plainness of speech : And not as Moses , which put a vail over his face , that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished : But their minds were blinded : for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament ; which vail is done away in Christ . But even unto this day , when Moses is read , the vail is upon their heart . Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord , the vail shall be taken away . Now the Lord is that Spirit : and where the Spirit of the Lord is , there is liberty . But we all , with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord , are changed into the same image from glory to glory , even as by the Spirit of the Lord . Therefore seeing we have this ministry , as we have received mercy , we faint not ; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty , not walking in craftiness , nor handling the word of God deceitfully ; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God . But if our gospel be hid , it is hid to them that are lost : In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not , lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ , who is the image of God , should shine unto them . For we preach not ourselves , but Christ Jesus the Lord ; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake . For God , who commanded the light to shine out of darkness , hath shined in our hearts , to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ . But we have this treasure in earthen vessels , that the excellency of the power may be of God , and not of us . We are troubled on every side , yet not distressed ; we are perplexed , but not in despair ; Persecuted , but not forsaken ; cast down , but not destroyed ; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus , that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body . For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake , that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh . So then death worketh in us , but life in you . We having the same spirit of faith , according as it is written , I believed , and therefore have I spoken ; we also believe , and therefore speak ; Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus , and shall present us with you . For all things are for your sakes , that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God . For which cause we faint not ; but though our outward man perish , yet the inward man is renewed day by day . For our light affliction , which is but for a moment , worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory ; While we look not at the things which are seen , but at the things which are not seen : for the things which are seen are temporal ; but the things which are not seen are eternal . For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved , we have a building of God , an house not made with hands , eternal in the heavens . For in this we groan , earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven : If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked . For we that are in this tabernacle do groan , being burdened : not for that we would be unclothed , but clothed upon , that mortality might be swallowed up of life . Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God , who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit . Therefore we are always confident , knowing that , whilst we are at home in the body , we are absent from the Lord : ( For we walk by faith , not by sight : ) We are confident , I say , and willing rather to be absent from the body , and to be present with the Lord . Wherefore we labour , that , whether present or absent , we may be accepted of him . For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ ; that every one may receive the things done in his body , according to that he hath done , whether it be good or bad . Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord , we persuade men ; but we are made manifest unto God ; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences . For we commend not ourselves again unto you , but give you occasion to glory on our behalf , that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance , and not in heart . For whether we be beside ourselves , it is to God : or whether we be sober , it is for your cause . For the love of Christ constraineth us ; because we thus judge , that if one died for all , then were all dead : And that he died for all , that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves , but unto him which died for them , and rose again . Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh : yea , though we have known Christ after the flesh , yet now henceforth know we him no more . Therefore if any man be in Christ , he is a new creature : old things are passed away ; behold , all things are become new . And all things are of God , who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ , and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation ; To wit , that God was in Christ , reconciling the world unto himself , not imputing their trespasses unto them ; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation . Now then we are ambassadors for Christ , as though God did beseech you by us : we pray you in Christ's stead , be ye reconciled to God . For he hath made him to be sin for us , who knew no sin ; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him . We then , as workers together with him , beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain . ( For he saith , I have heard thee in a time accepted , and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee : behold , now is the accepted time ; behold , now is the day of salvation . ) Giving no offence in any thing , that the ministry be not blamed : But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God , in much patience , in afflictions , in necessities , in distresses , In stripes , in imprisonments , in tumults , in labours , in watchings , in fastings ; By pureness , by knowledge , by longsuffering , by kindness , by the Holy Ghost , by love unfeigned , By the word of truth , by the power of God , by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left , By honour and dishonour , by evil report and good report : as deceivers , and yet true ; As unknown , and yet well known ; as dying , and , behold , we live ; as chastened , and not killed ; As sorrowful , yet alway rejoicing ; as poor , yet making many rich ; as having nothing , and yet possessing all things . O ye Corinthians , our mouth is open unto you , our heart is enlarged . Ye are not straitened in us , but ye are straitened in your own bowels . Now for a recompence in the same , ( I speak as unto my children , ) be ye also enlarged . Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers : for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness ? and what communion hath light with darkness ? And what concord hath Christ with Belial ? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel ? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols ? for ye are the temple of the living God ; as God hath said , I will dwell in them , and walk in them ; and I will be their God , and they shall be my people . Wherefore come out from among them , and be ye separate , saith the Lord , and touch not the unclean thing ; and I will receive you , And will be a Father unto you , and ye shall be my sons and daughters , saith the Lord Almighty . Having therefore these promises , dearly beloved , let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit , perfecting holiness in the fear of God . Receive us ; we have wronged no man , we have corrupted no man , we have defrauded no man . I speak not this to condemn you : for I have said before , that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you . Great is my boldness of speech toward you , great is my glorying of you : I am filled with comfort , I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation . For , when we were come into Macedonia , our flesh had no rest , but we were troubled on every side ; without were fightings , within were fears . Nevertheless God , that comforteth those that are cast down , comforted us by the coming of Titus ; And not by his coming only , but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you , when he told us your earnest desire , your mourning , your fervent mind toward me ; so that I rejoiced the more . For though I made you sorry with a letter , I do not repent , though I did repent : for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry , though it were but for a season . Now I rejoice , not that ye were made sorry , but that ye sorrowed to repentance : for ye were made sorry after a godly manner , that ye might receive damage by us in nothing . For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of : but the sorrow of the world worketh death . For behold this selfsame thing , that ye sorrowed after a godly sort , what carefulness it wrought in you , yea , what clearing of yourselves , yea , what indignation , yea , what fear , yea , what vehement desire , yea , what zeal , yea , what revenge ! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter . Wherefore , though I wrote unto you , I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong , nor for his cause that suffered wrong , but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you . Therefore we were comforted in your comfort : yea , and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus , because his spirit was refreshed by you all . For if I have boasted any thing to him of you , I am not ashamed ; but as we spake all things to you in truth , even so our boasting , which I made before Titus , is found a truth . And his inward affection is more abundant toward you , whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all , how with fear and trembling ye received him . I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things . Moreover , brethren , we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia ; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality . For to their power , I bear record , yea , and beyond their power they were willing of themselves ; Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift , and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints . And this they did , not as we hoped , but first gave their own selves to the Lord , and unto us by the will of God . Insomuch that we desired Titus , that as he had begun , so he would also finish in you the same grace also . Therefore , as ye abound in every thing , in faith , and utterance , and knowledge , and in all diligence , and in your love to us , see that ye abound in this grace also . I speak not by commandment , but by occasion of the forwardness of others , and to prove the sincerity of your love . For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ , that , though he was rich , yet for your sakes he became poor , that ye through his poverty might be rich . And herein I give my advice : for this is expedient for you , who have begun before , not only to do , but also to be forward a year ago . Now therefore perform the doing of it ; that as there was a readiness to will , so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have . For if there be first a willing mind , it is accepted according to that a man hath , and not according to that he hath not . For I mean not that other men be eased , and ye burdened : But by an equality , that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want , that their abundance also may be a supply for your want : that there may be equality : As it is written , He that had gathered much had nothing over ; and he that had gathered little had no lack . But thanks be to God , which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you . For indeed he accepted the exhortation ; but being more forward , of his own accord he went unto you . And we have sent with him the brother , whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches ; And not that only , but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace , which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord , and declaration of your ready mind : Avoiding this , that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us : Providing for honest things , not only in the sight of the Lord , but also in the sight of men . And we have sent with them our brother , whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things , but now much more diligent , upon the great confidence which I have in you . Whether any do inquire of Titus , he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you : or our brethren be inquired of , they are the messengers of the churches , and the glory of Christ . Wherefore shew ye to them , and before the churches , the proof of your love , and of our boasting on your behalf . For as touching the ministering to the saints , it is superfluous for me to write to you : For I know the forwardness of your mind , for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia , that Achaia was ready a year ago ; and your zeal hath provoked very many . Yet have I sent the brethren , lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf ; that , as I said , ye may be ready : Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me , and find you unprepared , we ( that we say not , ye ) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting . Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren , that they would go before unto you , and make up beforehand your bounty , whereof ye had notice before , that the same might be ready , as a matter of bounty , and not as of covetousness . But this I say , He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly ; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully . Every man according as he purposeth in his heart , so let him give ; not grudgingly , or of necessity : for God loveth a cheerful giver . And God is able to make all grace abound toward you ; that ye , always having all sufficiency in all things , may abound to every good work : ( As it is written , He hath dispersed abroad ; he hath given to the poor : his righteousness remaineth for ever . Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food , and multiply your seed sown , and increase the fruits of your righteousness ; ) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness , which causeth through us thanksgiving to God . For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints , but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God ; Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ , and for your liberal distribution unto them , and unto all men ; And by their prayer for you , which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you . Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift . Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ , who in presence am base among you , but being absent am bold toward you : But I beseech you , that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence , wherewith I think to be bold against some , which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh . For though we walk in the flesh , we do not war after the flesh : ( For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal , but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds ; ) Casting down imaginations , and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God , and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience , when your obedience is fulfilled . Do ye look on things after the outward appearance ? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's , let him of himself think this again , that , as he is Christ's , even so are we Christ's . For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority , which the Lord hath given us for edification , and not for your destruction , I should not be ashamed : That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters . For his letters , say they , are weighty and powerful ; but his bodily presence is weak , and his speech contemptible . Let such an one think this , that , such as we are in word by letters when we are absent , such will we be also in deed when we are present . For we dare not make ourselves of the number , or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves : but they measuring themselves by themselves , and comparing themselves among themselves , are not wise . But we will not boast of things without our measure , but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us , a measure to reach even unto you . For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure , as though we reached not unto you : for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ : Not boasting of things without our measure , that is , of other men's labours ; but having hope , when your faith is increased , that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly , To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you , and not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand . But he that glorieth , let him glory in the Lord . For not he that commendeth himself is approved , but whom the Lord commendeth . Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly : and indeed bear with me . For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy : for I have espoused you to one husband , that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ . But I fear , lest by any means , as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty , so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ . For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus , whom we have not preached , or if ye receive another spirit , which ye have not received , or another gospel , which ye have not accepted , ye might well bear with him . For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles . But though I be rude in speech , yet not in knowledge ; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things . Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted , because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely ? I robbed other churches , taking wages of them , to do you service . And when I was present with you , and wanted , I was chargeable to no man : for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied : and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you , and so will I keep myself . As the truth of Christ is in me , no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia . Wherefore ? because I love you not ? God knoweth . But what I do , that I will do , that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion ; that wherein they glory , they may be found even as we . For such are false apostles , deceitful workers , transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ . And no marvel ; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light . Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness ; whose end shall be according to their works . I say again , Let no man think me a fool ; if otherwise , yet as a fool receive me , that I may boast myself a little . That which I speak , I speak it not after the Lord , but as it were foolishly , in this confidence of boasting . Seeing that many glory after the flesh , I will glory also . For ye suffer fools gladly , seeing ye yourselves are wise . For ye suffer , if a man bring you into bondage , if a man devour you , if a man take of you , if a man exalt himself , if a man smite you on the face . I speak as concerning reproach , as though we had been weak . Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold , ( I speak foolishly , ) I am bold also . Are they Hebrews ? so am I . Are they Israelites ? so am I . Are they the seed of Abraham ? so am I . Are they ministers of Christ ? ( I speak as a fool ) I am more ; in labours more abundant , in stripes above measure , in prisons more frequent , in deaths oft . Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one . Thrice was I beaten with rods , once was I stoned , thrice I suffered shipwreck , a night and a day I have been in the deep ; In journeyings often , in perils of waters , in perils of robbers , in perils by mine own countrymen , in perils by the heathen , in perils in the city , in perils in the wilderness , in perils in the sea , in perils among false brethren ; In weariness and painfulness , in watchings often , in hunger and thirst , in fastings often , in cold and nakedness . Beside those things that are without , that which cometh upon me daily , the care of all the churches . Who is weak , and I am not weak ? who is offended , and I burn not ? If I must needs glory , I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities . The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ , which is blessed for evermore , knoweth that I lie not . In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison , desirous to apprehend me : And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall , and escaped his hands . It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory . I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord . I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago , ( whether in the body , I cannot tell ; or whether out of the body , I cannot tell : God knoweth ; ) such an one caught up to the third heaven . And I knew such a man , ( whether in the body , or out of the body , I cannot tell : God knoweth ; ) How that he was caught up into paradise , and heard unspeakable words , which it is not lawful for a man to utter . Of such an one will I glory : yet of myself I will not glory , but in mine infirmities . For though I would desire to glory , I shall not be a fool ; for I will say the truth : but now I forbear , lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be , or that he heareth of me . And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations , there was given to me a thorn in the flesh , the messenger of Satan to buffet me , lest I should be exalted above measure . For this thing I besought the Lord thrice , that it might depart from me . And he said unto me , My grace is sufficient for thee : for my strength is made perfect in weakness . Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities , that the power of Christ may rest upon me . Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities , in reproaches , in necessities , in persecutions , in distresses for Christ's sake : for when I am weak , then am I strong . I am become a fool in glorying ; ye have compelled me : for I ought to have been commended of you : for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles , though I be nothing . Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience , in signs , and wonders , and mighty deeds . For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches , except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you ? forgive me this wrong . Behold , the third time I am ready to come to you ; and I will not be burdensome to you : for I seek not yours , but you : for the children ought not to lay up for the parents , but the parents for the children . And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you ; though the more abundantly I love you , the less I be loved . But be it so , I did not burden you : nevertheless , being crafty , I caught you with guile . Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you ? I desired Titus , and with him I sent a brother . Did Titus make a gain of you ? walked we not in the same spirit ? walked we not in the same steps ? Again , think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you ? we speak before God in Christ : but we do all things , dearly beloved , for your edifying . For I fear , lest , when I come , I shall not find you such as I would , and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not : lest there be debates , envyings , wraths , strifes , backbitings , whisperings , swellings , tumults : And lest , when I come again , my God will humble me among you , and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already , and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed . This is the third time I am coming to you . In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established . I told you before , and foretell you , as if I were present , the second time ; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned , and to all other , that , if I come again , I will not spare : Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me , which to you-ward is not weak , but is mighty in you . For though he was crucified through weakness , yet he liveth by the power of God . For we also are weak in him , but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you . Examine yourselves , whether ye be in the faith ; prove your own selves . Know ye not your own selves , how that Jesus Christ is in you , except ye be reprobates ? But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates . Now I pray to God that ye do no evil ; not that we should appear approved , but that ye should do that which is honest , though we be as reprobates . For we can do nothing against the truth , but for the truth . For we are glad , when we are weak , and ye are strong : and this also we wish , even your perfection . Therefore I write these things being absent , lest being present I should use sharpness , according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification , and not to destruction . Finally , brethren , farewell . Be perfect , be of good comfort , be of one mind , live in peace ; and the God of love and peace shall be with you . Greet one another with an 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 Ghost , be with you all . Amen .