1 Or, understand it not. 1611 comparing themselves amongst themselves, are not wise. 13 But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the Or, line. rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you. I Or, magnified in you. 14 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." 15 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. 16 To preach the Gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to 10r,rule. boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand. 17 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. * Jer. 9. 24. 1 Cor. 1. 31. Or, you do bear 18 For, not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth. 11 Would to God you could bear with me a little in my folly, and indeed bear with me. 2 For I am jealous over you with with me.godly jealousy, for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 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. 4 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. 5 For, I suppose, I was not a whit behind the very chiefest Apostles. 6 But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things. 7 Have I committed an offence in abasing myself, that you might be exalted, because I have preached to you the Gospel of God freely? 1881 limit Or, were the first to comparing themselves with themselves, are without understand13 ing. But we will not glory beyond our measure, but accord,ing to the measure of the 1pro- 1 Or, vince which God apportioned Gr. meato us as a measure, to reach suring14 even unto you. For we stretch rod. not ourselves overmuch, as though we reached not unto you: for we 2 came even as far as unto you in the gospel of 15 Christ: not glorying beyond come our measure, that is, in other men's labours; but having hope that, as your faith groweth, we shall be magnified in you according to our province unto further abundance, so as to preach the gospel even unto the parts beyond you, and not to glory in another's province in regard of things ready to our hand. 17 But he that glorieth, let him 18 glory in the Lord. For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth. 16 11 Would that ye could bear with me in a little foolishness: nay 2 indeed bear with me. For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy: for I espoused you to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to 3 Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve in his craftiness, your 5 minds should be corrupted Gr. from the simplicity and the thoughts. purity that is toward Christ. 4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or if ye receive a different spirit, which ye did not receive, or a different gospel, which ye did not accept, ye 5 do well to bear with him. For I reckon that I am not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles. 6 But though I be rude in speech, those yet am I not in knowledge; nent nay, in everything we have apostles made it manifest among all 7 men to you-ward. Or did I commit a sin in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I preached to you the gospel of God for nought? Or, preemi Gr. this boasting shall not be stopped in me. 1 Or, suffer. 1611 8 I robbed other Churches, taking wages of them to do you service. 9 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 to you, and so will I keep myself. 10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia. 11 Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth. 12 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. 13 For such are false Apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel, for Satan himself is transformed into an Angel of light. 15 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. 16 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. 17 That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly in this confidence of boasting. 18 Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also. 19 For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise. 20 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. 21 I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak: howbeit, whereinsoever any is bold, I speak foolishly, I am bold also. 22 Are they Hebrews? so am I: are they Israelites? so am I: are they the seed of Abraham? so am I: 23 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. 1881 8 I robbed other churches, taking wages of them that I might 9 minister unto you; and when I was present with you and was in want, I was not a burden on any man; for the brethren, when they came from Macedonia, supplied the measure of my want; and in everything I kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep 10 myself. As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this glorying in the regions 11 of Achaia. Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth. 12 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off 1occasion from them which desire an occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. 13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, fashioning themselves into apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for even Satan fashioneth himself into an angel of light. It is no great thing therefore if his ministers also fashion themselves as ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. 14 15 16 17 I say again, Let no man think me foolish; but if ye do, yet as foolish receive me, that I also may glory a little.. That which I speak, I speak not after the Lord, but as in foolishness, in 18 this confidence of glorying. See ing that many glory after the 19 flesh, I will glory also. For ye bear with the foolish gladly, 20 being wise yourselves. For ye bear with a man, if he bringeth you into bondage, if he devoureth you, if he taketh you captive, if he exalteth himself, if he smiteth you on the face. 21 I speak by way of disparagement, as though we had been weak. Yet whereinsoever any is bold (I speak in foolishness), 22 I am bold also. Are they He brews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed 23 of Abraham? so am I. Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as one beside himself) I more; in labours more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure, in deaths oft. 1 Gr. the occasion of them. * Deut. 25. 3. 1 Or. possible. 1611 25 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. 1881 24 of the Jews five times received 24 Of the Jews five times received 26 In journeying often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by my 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, 27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 28 Besides those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the Churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? 30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. 31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not. 32 In Damascus the governor under Aretas the King, kept the city with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me. 33 And through a window in a basket was I let down, by the wall, and escaped his hands. 12 It is not expedient for me, doubtless, to glory; I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 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 a one, caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I knew such a man (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell, God knoweth:) 4 How that he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 Of such a one will I glory, yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. 6 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 watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold 28 and nakedness. 2 Beside those things that are without, there is that which presseth upon me daily, anxiety for all the 29 churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is made to stumble, and I burn not? 30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things that concern 31 my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed for evermore, 32 knoweth that I lie not. In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king guarded the city of the Damascenes, in order 33 to take me: and through a win dow was I let down in a basket by the wall, and escaped his hands. 12 I must needs glory, though it is not expedient; but I will come to visions and revelations 2 of the Lord. I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I know not; or whether out of the body, I know not; God knoweth), such a one caught up even to the third hea3 ven. And I know such a man (whether in the body, or apart from the body, I know not; God 4 knoweth), how that he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 On behalf of such a one will I glory: but on mine own behalf I will not glory, save in my 6 weaknesses. For if I should desire to glory, I shall not be foolish; for I shall speak the truth: but I forbear, lest any man should account of me above that which he race. * See Ezek. 28. 24. + Gr. your souls. 1611 seeth me to be, or that he heareth 7 And lest I should be exalted measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 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. 10 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. 1881 seeth me to be, or heareth from 11 I am become a fool in glorying, | 11 12 Truly the signs of an Apostle 13 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. 14 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. 15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you, though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. 16 But be it so: I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile. 17 Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you? 18 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? 12 13 14 1 Or, stake 2 Or, cover me nacle s Or, those preeminent I am become foolish: ye compelled me; for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing was I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I am nothing. Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among apostles you in all patience, by signs and wonders and mighty works. For what is there wherein ye were made inferior to the rest of the churches, except it be that I myself was not a burden to you? forgive me this wrong. 4 Gr. powers. Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be a burden to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the 15 parents for the children. And I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I Gr. love you more abundantly, am I spent 16 loved the less? But be it so, I did not myself burden you; but, being crafty, I caught you with 17 guile. Did I take advantage of you by any one of them whom horted Titus, and I sent the out. 1 Or, with him. 1611 19 Again, think you that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying. 20 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, 21 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. 13 This is the third time I am coming to you: in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. 2 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: 3 Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you. 4 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. 5 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? 6 But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates. 7 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. 8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. 9 For we are glad when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection. 10 Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to 19 1881 1 Ye think all this time that we are excusing ourselves unto you. In the sight of God speak we in Christ. But all things, beloved, 20 are for your edifying. For I fear, lest by any means, when I come, I should find you not such as I would, and should myself be found of you such as ye would not; lest by any means there should be strife, jealousy, wraths, factions, backbitings, whisper21 ings, swellings, 2tumults; lest, Or, diswhen I come again, my God orders should humble me before you, and I should mourn for many of them that have sinned heretofore, and repented not of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they committed. 13 This is the third time I am coming to you. At the mouth of two witnesses or three shall 2 every word be established. I have said beforehand, and I do say beforehand, as when I was present the second time, so now, being absent, to them that have sinned heretofore, and to all the rest, that, if I come 3 again, I will not spare; seeing that ye seek a proof of Christ that speaketh in me; who to you-ward is not weak, but is 4 powerful in you: for he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth through the power of God. For we also are weak 5 in him, but we shall live with him through the power of God to 3 Or, plainly if I were present 4 Or, as the second time, even though I am now absent 5 Many ancient authorities read 5 ward you. Try your own selves, with. whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Or know ye not as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you? unless indeed 6 ye be reprobate. But I hope that ye shall know that we are not 7 reprobate. Now we pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we may appear approved, but that ye may do that which is honourable, though we be as reprobate. 8 For we can do nothing against the 9 truth, but for the truth. For we rejoice, when we are weak, and ye are strong: this we also pray 10 for, even your perfecting. For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not when present deal sharply, according to 6 Gr. and that. |