2 Corinthians 1:8-2:13

Christian Standard Bible

⁸ We don’t want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, of our affliction that took place in Asia.^(A) We were completely overwhelmed—beyond our strength^(B)—so that we even despaired^(C) of life itself. ⁹ Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death, so that we would not trust in ourselves but in God^(D) who raises^(E) the dead. ¹⁰ He has delivered^(F) us from such a terrible death,^(G) and he will deliver us. We have put our hope in him that he will deliver us again ¹¹ while you join in helping us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our^[a] behalf for the gift that came to us through the prayers of many.

A Clear Conscience

¹² Indeed, this is our boast: The testimony^(H) of our conscience^(I) is that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you, with godly sincerity and purity, not by human wisdom^(J) but by God’s grace.^{(K) 13} For we are writing nothing to you other than what you can read and also understand. I hope you will understand completely— ¹⁴ just as you have partially understood us—that we are your reason for pride,^(L) just as you also are ours^(M) in the day of our^[b] Lord Jesus.^(N)

A Visit Postponed

¹⁵ Because of this confidence, I planned to come to you first,^(O) so that you could have a second benefit,^{[c] 16} and to visit you on my way to Macedonia,^(P) and then come to you again from Macedonia and be helped by you^(Q) on my journey^(R) to Judea.^{(S) 17} Now when I planned this, was I of two minds? Or what I plan, do I plan in a purely human^[d](T) way so that I say “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time? ¹⁸ As God is faithful,^(U) our message to you is not “Yes and no.” ¹⁹ For the Son of God,^(V) Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you—Silvanus,^[e](W) Timothy, and I—did not become “Yes and no.” On the contrary, in him it is always “Yes.”^{(X) 20} For every one of God’s promises^(Y) is “Yes” in him. Therefore, through him we also say “Amen”^(Z) to the glory of God.^{(AA) 21} Now it is God who strengthens us together with you in Christ, and who has anointed^(AB) us. ²² He has also put his seal on us and given us the Spirit in our hearts^(AC) as a down payment.^(AD)

²³ I call on God as a witness,^(AE) on my life, that it was to spare you that I did not come to Corinth.^{(AF) 24} I do not mean that we lord it over your faith, but we are workers with you for your joy, because you stand firm in your^(AG) faith.

2 In fact, I made up my mind about this: I would not come to you on another painful visit.^{[f] 2} For if I cause you pain, then who will cheer me other than the one being hurt by me?^{[g] 3} I wrote this very thing so that when I came I wouldn’t have pain from those who ought to give me joy, because I am confident^(AH) about all of you that my joy will also be yours. ⁴ For I wrote to you with many tears out of an extremely troubled and anguished heart—not to cause you pain, but that you should know the abundant love I have for you.

A Sinner Forgiven

⁵ If anyone has caused pain, he has caused pain not so much to me but to some degree—not to exaggerate^(AI)—to all of you. ⁶ This punishment by the majority is sufficient for that person. ⁷ As a result, you should instead forgive^(AJ) and comfort him. Otherwise, he may be overwhelmed by excessive grief. ⁸ Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him. ⁹ I wrote for this purpose: to test your character^(AK) to see if you are obedient^(AL) in everything. ¹⁰ Anyone you forgive, I do too. For what I have forgiven—if I have forgiven anything—it is for your benefit in the presence of Christ, ¹¹ so that we may not be taken advantage^(AM) of by Satan. For we are not ignorant of his schemes.

A Trip to Macedonia

¹² When I came to Troas^(AN) to preach the gospel of Christ, even though the Lord opened a door^(AO) for me, ¹³ I had no rest^(AP) in my spirit because I did not find my brother Titus.^(AQ) Instead, I said good-bye to them and left for Macedonia.^(AR)