1 Corinthians 15:9 - 2 Corinthians 10:5

New International Version

⁹ For I am the least of the apostles^(A) and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted^(B) the church of God.^{(C) 10} But by the grace^(D) of God I am what I am, and his grace to me^(E) was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them^(F)—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.^{(G) 11} Whether, then, it is I or they,^(H) this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.

The Resurrection of the Dead

¹² But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead,^(I) how can some of you say that there is no resurrection^(J) of the dead?^{(K) 13} If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. ¹⁴ And if Christ has not been raised,^(L) our preaching is useless and so is your faith. ¹⁵ More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead.^(M) But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. ¹⁶ For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. ¹⁷ And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.^{(N) 18} Then those also who have fallen asleep^(O) in Christ are lost. ¹⁹ If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.^(P)

²⁰ But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead,^(Q) the firstfruits^(R) of those who have fallen asleep.^{(S) 21} For since death came through a man,^(T) the resurrection of the dead^(U) comes also through a man. ²² For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.^{(V) 23} But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits;^(W) then, when he comes,^(X) those who belong to him.^{(Y) 24} Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom^(Z) to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power.^{(AA) 25} For he must reign^(AB) until he has put all his enemies under his feet.^{(AC) 26} The last enemy to be destroyed is death.^{(AD) 27} For he “has put everything under his feet.”^[a](AE) Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ.^{(AF) 28} When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him,^(AG) so that God may be all in all.^(AH)

²⁹ Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them? ³⁰ And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour?^{(AI) 31} I face death every day^(AJ)—yes, just as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord. ³² If I fought wild beasts^(AK) in Ephesus^(AL) with no more than human hopes, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised,

³³ Do not be misled:^(AN) “Bad company corrupts good character.”^{[c](AO) 34} Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God^(AP)—I say this to your shame.^(AQ)

The Resurrection Body

³⁵ But someone will ask,^(AR) “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?”^{(AS) 36} How foolish!^(AT) What you sow does not come to life unless it dies.^{(AU) 37} When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else. ³⁸ But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body.^{(AV) 39} Not all flesh is the same: People have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another and fish another. ⁴⁰ There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another. ⁴¹ The sun has one kind of splendor,^(AW) the moon another and the stars another;^(AX) and star differs from star in splendor.

⁴² So will it be^(AY) with the resurrection of the dead.^(AZ) The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable;^{(BA) 43} it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory;^(BB) it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; ⁴⁴ it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.^(BC)

If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. ⁴⁵ So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”^[d];^(BD) the last Adam,^(BE) a life-giving spirit.^{(BF) 46} The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual.^{(BG) 47} The first man was of the dust of the earth;^(BH) the second man is of heaven.^{(BI) 48} As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven.^{(BJ) 49} And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man,^(BK) so shall we^[e] bear the image of the heavenly man.^(BL)

⁵⁰ I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood^(BM) cannot inherit the kingdom of God,^(BN) nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.^{(BO) 51} Listen, I tell you a mystery:^(BP) We will not all sleep,^(BQ) but we will all be changed^(BR)— ⁵² in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound,^(BS) the dead^(BT) will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. ⁵³ For the perishable^(BU) must clothe itself with the imperishable,^(BV) and the mortal with immortality. ⁵⁴ When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”^[f](BW)

⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin,^(BY) and the power of sin is the law.^{(BZ) 57} But thanks be to God!^(CA) He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.^(CB)

⁵⁸ Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord,^(CC) because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.^(CD)

The Collection for the Lord’s People

16 Now about the collection^(CE) for the Lord’s people:^(CF) Do what I told the Galatian^(CG) churches to do. ² On the first day of every week,^(CH) each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.^{(CI) 3} Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve^(CJ) and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. ⁴ If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me.

Personal Requests

⁵ After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you^(CK)—for I will be going through Macedonia.^{(CL) 6} Perhaps I will stay with you for a while, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey,^(CM) wherever I go. ⁷ For I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.^{(CN) 8} But I will stay on at Ephesus^(CO) until Pentecost,^{(CP) 9} because a great door for effective work has opened to me,^(CQ) and there are many who oppose me.

¹⁰ When Timothy^(CR) comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord,^(CS) just as I am. ¹¹ No one, then, should treat him with contempt.^(CT) Send him on his way^(CU) in peace^(CV) so that he may return to me. I am expecting him along with the brothers.

¹² Now about our brother Apollos:^(CW) I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was quite unwilling to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity.

¹³ Be on your guard; stand firm^(CX) in the faith; be courageous; be strong.^{(CY) 14} Do everything in love.^(CZ)

¹⁵ You know that the household of Stephanas^(DA) were the first converts^(DB) in Achaia,^(DC) and they have devoted themselves to the service^(DD) of the Lord’s people.^(DE) I urge you, brothers and sisters, ¹⁶ to submit^(DF) to such people and to everyone who joins in the work and labors at it. ¹⁷ I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you.^{(DG) 18} For they refreshed^(DH) my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.^(DI)

Final Greetings

¹⁹ The churches in the province of Asia^(DJ) send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla^[h](DK) greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house.^{(DL) 20} All the brothers and sisters here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.^(DM)

²¹ I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.^(DN)

²² If anyone does not love the Lord,^(DO) let that person be cursed!^(DP) Come, Lord^[i]!^(DQ)

²³ The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.^(DR)

²⁴ My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen.^[j]

1 Paul, an apostle^(DS) of Christ Jesus by the will of God,^(DT) and Timothy^(DU) our brother,

To the church of God^(DV) in Corinth,^(DW) together with all his holy people throughout Achaia:^(DX)

² Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.^(DY)

Praise to the God of All Comfort

³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,^(DZ) the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us^(EA) in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. ⁵ For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ,^(EB) so also our comfort abounds through Christ. ⁶ If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation;^(EC) if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. ⁷ And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings,^(ED) so also you share in our comfort.

⁸ We do not want you to be uninformed,^(EE) brothers and sisters,^[k] about the troubles we experienced^(EF) in the province of Asia.^(EG) We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. ⁹ Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God,^(EH) who raises the dead.^{(EI) 10} He has delivered us from such a deadly peril,^(EJ) and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope^(EK) that he will continue to deliver us, ¹¹ as you help us by your prayers.^(EL) Then many will give thanks^(EM) on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

Paul’s Change of Plans

¹² Now this is our boast: Our conscience^(EN) testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity^[l](EO) and godly sincerity.^(EP) We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom^(EQ) but on God’s grace. ¹³ For we do not write you anything you cannot read or understand. And I hope that, ¹⁴ as you have understood us in part, you will come to understand fully that you can boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of the Lord Jesus.^(ER)

¹⁵ Because I was confident of this, I wanted to visit you^(ES) first so that you might benefit twice.^{(ET) 16} I wanted to visit you on my way^(EU) to Macedonia^(EV) and to come back to you from Macedonia, and then to have you send me on my way^(EW) to Judea.^{(EX) 17} Was I fickle when I intended to do this? Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner^(EY) so that in the same breath I say both “Yes, yes” and “No, no”?

¹⁸ But as surely as God is faithful,^(EZ) our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.” ¹⁹ For the Son of God,^(FA) Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silas^[m](FB) and Timothy^(FC)—was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always^(FD) been “Yes.” ²⁰ For no matter how many promises^(FE) God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen”^(FF) is spoken by us to the glory of God.^{(FG) 21} Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm^(FH) in Christ. He anointed^(FI) us, ²² set his seal^(FJ) of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.^(FK)

²³ I call God as my witness^(FL)—and I stake my life on it—that it was in order to spare you^(FM) that I did not return to Corinth. ²⁴ Not that we lord it over^(FN) your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm.^(FO) 2 ¹ So I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you.^{(FP) 2} For if I grieve you,^(FQ) who is left to make me glad but you whom I have grieved? ³ I wrote as I did,^(FR) so that when I came I would not be distressed^(FS) by those who should have made me rejoice. I had confidence^(FT) in all of you, that you would all share my joy. ⁴ For I wrote you^(FU) out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you.

Forgiveness for the Offender

⁵ If anyone has caused grief,^(FV) he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you to some extent—not to put it too severely. ⁶ The punishment^(FW) inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient. ⁷ Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him,^(FX) so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. ⁸ I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. ⁹ Another reason I wrote you^(FY) was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything.^{(FZ) 10} Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, ¹¹ in order that Satan^(GA) might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.^(GB)

Ministers of the New Covenant

¹² Now when I went to Troas^(GC) to preach the gospel of Christ^(GD) and found that the Lord had opened a door^(GE) for me, ¹³ I still had no peace of mind,^(GF) because I did not find my brother Titus^(GG) there. So I said goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia.^(GH)

¹⁴ But thanks be to God,^(GI) who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma^(GJ) of the knowledge^(GK) of him everywhere. ¹⁵ For we are to God the pleasing aroma^(GL) of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.^{(GM) 16} To the one we are an aroma that brings death;^(GN) to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task?^{(GO) 17} Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit.^(GP) On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity,^(GQ) as those sent from God.^(GR)

3 Are we beginning to commend ourselves^(GS) again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation^(GT) to you or from you? ² You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone.^{(GU) 3} You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God,^(GV) not on tablets of stone^(GW) but on tablets of human hearts.^(GX)

⁴ Such confidence^(GY) we have through Christ before God. ⁵ Not that we are competent in ourselves^(GZ) to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.^{(HA) 6} He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant^(HB)—not of the letter^(HC) but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.^(HD)

The Greater Glory of the New Covenant

⁷ Now if the ministry that brought death,^(HE) which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory,^(HF) transitory though it was, ⁸ will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? ⁹ If the ministry that brought condemnation^(HG) was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness!^{(HH) 10} For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. ¹¹ And if what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!

¹² Therefore, since we have such a hope,^(HI) we are very bold.^{(HJ) 13} We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face^(HK) to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. ¹⁴ But their minds were made dull,^(HL) for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant^(HM) is read.^(HN) It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. ¹⁵ Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. ¹⁶ But whenever anyone turns to the Lord,^(HO) the veil is taken away.^{(HP) 17} Now the Lord is the Spirit,^(HQ) and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.^{(HR) 18} And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate^[n](HS) the Lord’s glory,^(HT) are being transformed into his image^(HU) with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Present Weakness and Resurrection Life

4 Therefore, since through God’s mercy^(HV) we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.^{(HW) 2} Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways;^(HX) we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God.^(HY) On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience^(HZ) in the sight of God. ³ And even if our gospel^(IA) is veiled,^(IB) it is veiled to those who are perishing.^{(IC) 4} The god^(ID) of this age^(IE) has blinded^(IF) the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ,^(IG) who is the image of God.^{(IH) 5} For what we preach is not ourselves,^(II) but Jesus Christ as Lord,^(IJ) and ourselves as your servants^(IK) for Jesus’ sake. ⁶ For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”^[o](IL) made his light shine in our hearts^(IM) to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.^(IN)

⁷ But we have this treasure in jars of clay^(IO) to show that this all-surpassing power is from God^(IP) and not from us. ⁸ We are hard pressed on every side,^(IQ) but not crushed; perplexed,^(IR) but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted,^(IS) but not abandoned;^(IT) struck down, but not destroyed.^{(IU) 10} We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus,^(IV) so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.^{(IW) 11} For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake,^(IX) so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. ¹² So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.^(IY)

¹³ It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.”^[p](IZ) Since we have that same spirit of^[q] faith,^(JA) we also believe and therefore speak, ¹⁴ because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead^(JB) will also raise us with Jesus^(JC) and present us with you to himself.^{(JD) 15} All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving^(JE) to overflow to the glory of God.

¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart.^(JF) Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly^(JG) we are being renewed^(JH) day by day. ¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.^{(JI) 18} So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen,^(JJ) since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Awaiting the New Body

5 For we know that if the earthly^(JK) tent^(JL) we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. ² Meanwhile we groan,^(JM) longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling,^{(JN) 3} because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. ⁴ For while we are in this tent, we groan^(JO) and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling,^(JP) so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. ⁵ Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.^(JQ)

⁶ Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. ⁷ For we live by faith, not by sight.^{(JR) 8} We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.^{(JS) 9} So we make it our goal to please him,^(JT) whether we are at home in the body or away from it. ¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us^(JU) for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

The Ministry of Reconciliation

¹¹ Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord,^(JV) we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.^{(JW) 12} We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again,^(JX) but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us,^(JY) so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. ¹³ If we are “out of our mind,”^(JZ) as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. ¹⁴ For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.^{(KA) 15} And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves^(KB) but for him who died for them^(KC) and was raised again.

¹⁶ So from now on we regard no one from a worldly^(KD) point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,^(KE) the new creation^(KF) has come:^[r] The old has gone, the new is here!^{(KG) 18} All this is from God,^(KH) who reconciled us to himself through Christ^(KI) and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: ¹⁹ that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.^(KJ) And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰ We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors,^(KK) as though God were making his appeal through us.^(KL) We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.^{(KM) 21} God made him who had no sin^(KN) to be sin^[s] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.^(KO)

6 As God’s co-workers^(KP) we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.^{(KQ) 2} For he says,

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

Paul’s Hardships

³ We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path,^(KS) so that our ministry will not be discredited. ⁴ Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; ⁵ in beatings, imprisonments^(KT) and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger;^{(KU) 6} in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit^(KV) and in sincere love;^{(KW) 7} in truthful speech^(KX) and in the power of God;^(KY) with weapons of righteousness^(KZ) in the right hand and in the left; ⁸ through glory and dishonor,^(LA) bad report^(LB) and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors;^{(LC) 9} known, yet regarded as unknown; dying,^(LD) and yet we live on;^(LE) beaten, and yet not killed; ¹⁰ sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;^(LF) poor, yet making many rich;^(LG) having nothing,^(LH) and yet possessing everything.^(LI)

¹¹ We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you.^{(LJ) 12} We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. ¹³ As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children^(LK)—open wide your hearts^(LL) also.

Warning Against Idolatry

¹⁴ Do not be yoked together^(LM) with unbelievers.^(LN) For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?^{(LO) 15} What harmony is there between Christ and Belial^[u]?^(LP) Or what does a believer^(LQ) have in common with an unbeliever?^{(LR) 16} What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?^(LS) For we are the temple^(LT) of the living God.^(LU) As God has said:

¹⁷ Therefore,

¹⁸ And,

7 Therefore, since we have these promises,^(MA) dear friends,^(MB) let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness^(MC) out of reverence for God.

Paul’s Joy Over the Church’s Repentance

² Make room for us in your hearts.^(MD) We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one. ³ I do not say this to condemn you; I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts^(ME) that we would live or die with you. ⁴ I have spoken to you with great frankness; I take great pride in you.^(MF) I am greatly encouraged;^(MG) in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.^(MH)

⁵ For when we came into Macedonia,^(MI) we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn^(MJ)—conflicts on the outside, fears within.^{(MK) 6} But God, who comforts the downcast,^(ML) comforted us by the coming of Titus,^{(MM) 7} and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.

⁸ Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter,^(MN) I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— ⁹ yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. ¹⁰ Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation^(MO) and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. ¹¹ See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern,^(MP) what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. ¹² So even though I wrote to you,^(MQ) it was neither on account of the one who did the wrong^(MR) nor on account of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. ¹³ By all this we are encouraged.

In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus^(MS) was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you. ¹⁴ I had boasted to him about you,^(MT) and you have not embarrassed me. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting about you to Titus^(MU) has proved to be true as well. ¹⁵ And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient,^(MV) receiving him with fear and trembling.^{(MW) 16} I am glad I can have complete confidence in you.^(MX)

The Collection for the Lord’s People

8 And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian^(MY) churches. ² In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.^{(MZ) 3} For I testify that they gave as much as they were able,^(NA) and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, ⁴ they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing^(NB) in this service^(NC) to the Lord’s people.^{(ND) 5} And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. ⁶ So we urged^(NE) Titus,^(NF) just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion^(NG) this act of grace on your part. ⁷ But since you excel in everything^(NH)—in faith, in speech, in knowledge,^(NI) in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you^[y]—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

⁸ I am not commanding you,^(NJ) but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. ⁹ For you know the grace^(NK) of our Lord Jesus Christ,^(NL) that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor,^(NM) so that you through his poverty might become rich.^(NN)

¹⁰ And here is my judgment^(NO) about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so.^{(NP) 11} Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness^(NQ) to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. ¹² For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has,^(NR) not according to what one does not have.

¹³ Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. ¹⁴ At the present time your plenty will supply what they need,^(NS) so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, ¹⁵ as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”^[z](NT)

Titus Sent to Receive the Collection

¹⁶ Thanks be to God,^(NU) who put into the heart^(NV) of Titus^(NW) the same concern I have for you. ¹⁷ For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative.^{(NX) 18} And we are sending along with him the brother^(NY) who is praised by all the churches^(NZ) for his service to the gospel.^{(OA) 19} What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us^(OB) as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help.^{(OC) 20} We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. ²¹ For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.^(OD)

²² In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you. ²³ As for Titus,^(OE) he is my partner^(OF) and co-worker^(OG) among you; as for our brothers,^(OH) they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ. ²⁴ Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you,^(OI) so that the churches can see it.

9 There is no need^(OJ) for me to write to you about this service^(OK) to the Lord’s people.^{(OL) 2} For I know your eagerness to help,^(OM) and I have been boasting^(ON) about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year^(OO) you in Achaia^(OP) were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. ³ But I am sending the brothers^(OQ) in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be.^{(OR) 4} For if any Macedonians^(OS) come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to say anything about you—would be ashamed of having been so confident. ⁵ So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers^(OT) to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift,^(OU) not as one grudgingly given.^(OV)

Generosity Encouraged

⁶ Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.^{(OW) 7} Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give,^(OX) not reluctantly or under compulsion,^(OY) for God loves a cheerful giver.^{(OZ) 8} And God is able^(PA) to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need,^(PB) you will abound in every good work. ⁹ As it is written:

¹⁰ Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food^(PE) will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.^{(PF) 11} You will be enriched^(PG) in every way so that you can be generous^(PH) on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.^(PI)

¹² This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs^(PJ) of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.^{(PK) 13} Because of the service^(PL) by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God^(PM) for the obedience that accompanies your confession^(PN) of the gospel of Christ,^(PO) and for your generosity^(PP) in sharing with them and with everyone else. ¹⁴ And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. ¹⁵ Thanks be to God^(PQ) for his indescribable gift!^(PR)

Paul’s Defense of His Ministry

10 By the humility and gentleness^(PS) of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul,^(PT) who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away! ² I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold^(PU) as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world.^{(PV) 3} For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.^{(PW) 4} The weapons we fight with^(PX) are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power^(PY) to demolish strongholds.^{(PZ) 5} We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God,^(QA) and we take captive every thought to make it obedient^(QB) to Christ.