Greeting
1 Paul, 1 Cor. 1:1; Eph. 1:1; Col. 1:1; 1 Tim. 1:1; 2 Tim. 1:1an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Acts 16:1; 1 Cor. 16:10Timothy our brother,
To the church of God which is at Corinth, Phil. 1:1; Col. 1:2with all the saints who are in all Achaia:
2 Rom. 1:7Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Comfort in Suffering
3 Eph. 1:3; 1 Pet. 1:3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who Is. 51:12; 66:13; 2 Cor. 7:6, 7, 13comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as (Acts 9:4); 2 Cor. 4:10; Phil. 3:10; Col. 1:24the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. 6 Now if we are afflicted, 2 Cor. 4:15; 12:15; Eph. 3:1, 13; 2 Tim. 2:10itis for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 7 And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that (Rom. 8:17; 2 Tim. 2:12)as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also youwillpartake of the consolation.
Delivered from Suffering
8 For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of Acts 19:23; 1 Cor. 15:32; 16:9our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. 9 Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should Jer. 17:5, 7not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, 10 (2 Pet. 2:9)who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us,11 you also Rom. 15:30; Phil. 1:19; Philem. 22helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf 2 Cor. 4:15; 9:11for the gift granted to us through many.
Paul’s Sincerity
12 For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and 2 Cor. 2:17godly sincerity, (1 Cor. 2:4)not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you. 13 For we are not writing any other things to you than what you read or understand. Now I trust you will understand, even to the end 14 (as also you have understood us in part), 2 Cor. 5:12that we are your boast as Phil. 2:16; 1 Thess. 2:19you also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Sparing the Church
15 And in this confidence 1 Cor. 4:19I intended to come to you before, that you might have Rom. 1:11; 15:29a second benefit— 16 to pass by way of you to Macedonia, Acts 19:21; 1 Cor. 16:3–6to come again from Macedonia to you, and be helped by you on my way to Judea. 17 Therefore, when I was planning this, did I do it lightly? Or the things I plan, do I plan 2 Cor. 10:2; 11:18according to the flesh, that with me there should be Yes, Yes, and No, No? 18 But as God is1 John 5:20faithful, our word to you was not Yes and No. 19 For Mark 1:1; Luke 1:35; John 1:34; 20:31; 1 John 5:5, 20the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me, 1 Thess. 1:1; 2 Thess. 1:1; 1 Pet. 5:12Silvanus, and Acts 18:5; 2 Cor. 1:1Timothy—was not Yes and No, (Heb. 13:8)but in Him was Yes. 20 (Rom. 15:8, 9)For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. 21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and (1 John 2:20, 27)has anointed us is God, 22 who (Eph. 4:30)also has sealed us and Rom. 8:16; 2 Cor. 5:5; (Eph. 1:14)given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
23 Moreover Rom. 1:9; Gal. 1:20; Phil. 1:8I call God as witness against my soul, 1 Cor. 4:21; 2 Cor. 2:3; 12:20that to spare you I came no more to Corinth. 24 Not 1 Cor. 3:5; 2 Cor. 4:5; 11:20; (1 Pet. 5:3)that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for Rom. 11:20; 1 Cor. 15:1by faith you stand.