Appeal to Unity

Paul, (A)called as an apostle of Jesus Christ [a]by (B)the will of God, and our (C)brother (D)Sosthenes,

To (E)the church of God which is in (F)Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, [b]saints (G)by calling, with all who in every place (H)call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:

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

(J)I thank [c]my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, that in everything you were (K)enriched in Him, in all (L)speech and (M)all knowledge, just as (N)the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed [d]in you, so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you eagerly (O)await the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, (P)who will also [e]confirm you to the end, blameless on (Q)the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. (R)God is faithful, through whom you were (S)called into (T)fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

10 Now (U)I urge you, (V)brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all [f]agree and that there be no [g](W)divisions among you, but that you be [h]made complete in (X)the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For I have been informed concerning you, my brothers and sisters, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you. 12 Now I mean this, that (Y)each one of you is saying, “I am [i]with Paul,” [j]or “I am [k]with (Z)Apollos,” [l]or “I am [m]with [n](AA)Cephas,” [o]or “I am [p]with Christ.” 13 [q]Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you (AB)baptized [r]in the name of Paul? 14 I am thankful that I (AC)baptized none of you except (AD)Crispus and (AE)Gaius, 15 so that no one would say you were baptized [s]in my name! 16 But I did baptize the (AF)household of Stephanas also; beyond that, I do not know if I baptized anyone else. 17 (AG)For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, (AH)not with [t]cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made of no effect.

The Wisdom of God

18 For the word of the cross is (AI)foolishness to (AJ)those who [u]are perishing, but to us who [v]are being saved it is (AK)the power of God. 19 For it is written:

(AL)I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And the understanding of those who have understanding, I will confound.”

20 (AM)Where is the wise person? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of (AN)this age? Has God not (AO)made foolish the wisdom of (AP)the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God (AQ)the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, (AR)God [w]was pleased through the (AS)foolishness of the [x]message preached to (AT)save those who believe. 22 For indeed (AU)Jews ask for [y]signs and Greeks search for wisdom; 23 but we preach [z](AV)Christ crucified, (AW)to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles (AX)foolishness, 24 but to those who are (AY)the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ (AZ)the power of God and (BA)the wisdom of God. 25 For the (BB)foolishness of God is wiser than mankind, and (BC)the weakness of God is stronger than mankind.

26 For [aa]consider your (BD)calling, brothers and sisters, that there were (BE)not many wise according to [ab]the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27 but (BF)God has chosen the foolish things of (BG)the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of (BH)the world to shame the things which are strong, 28 and the [ac]insignificant things of (BI)the world and the despised God has chosen, (BJ)the things that are not, so that He may (BK)nullify the things that are, 29 so that (BL)no [ad]human may boast before God. 30 But it is [ae]due to Him that you are in (BM)Christ Jesus, who became to us (BN)wisdom from God, [af]and (BO)righteousness and (BP)sanctification, and (BQ)redemption, 31 so that, just as it is written: “(BR)Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 1:1 Lit through
  2. 1 Corinthians 1:2 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  3. 1 Corinthians 1:4 Two early mss do not contain my
  4. 1 Corinthians 1:6 Or among
  5. 1 Corinthians 1:8 Or strengthen
  6. 1 Corinthians 1:10 Lit say the same thing
  7. 1 Corinthians 1:10 Lit schisms
  8. 1 Corinthians 1:10 Or united
  9. 1 Corinthians 1:12 Lit of
  10. 1 Corinthians 1:12 Lit and
  11. 1 Corinthians 1:12 Lit of
  12. 1 Corinthians 1:12 Lit and
  13. 1 Corinthians 1:12 Lit of
  14. 1 Corinthians 1:12 Peter’s Aramaic name
  15. 1 Corinthians 1:12 Lit and
  16. 1 Corinthians 1:12 Lit of
  17. 1 Corinthians 1:13 Or Christ has been divided! or Christ is divided!
  18. 1 Corinthians 1:13 Lit into
  19. 1 Corinthians 1:15 Lit into
  20. 1 Corinthians 1:17 I.e., persuasive rhetoric
  21. 1 Corinthians 1:18 Or perish
  22. 1 Corinthians 1:18 Or are saved
  23. 1 Corinthians 1:21 Or resolved
  24. 1 Corinthians 1:21 Lit preaching
  25. 1 Corinthians 1:22 Or confirming miracles
  26. 1 Corinthians 1:23 I.e., the Messiah
  27. 1 Corinthians 1:26 Lit see
  28. 1 Corinthians 1:26 I.e., human standards
  29. 1 Corinthians 1:28 Or lowly
  30. 1 Corinthians 1:29 Lit flesh
  31. 1 Corinthians 1:30 Lit from Him
  32. 1 Corinthians 1:30 Or both

Paul, called to be an apostle(A) of Christ Jesus by the will of God,(B) and our brother Sosthenes,(C)

To the church of God(D) in Corinth,(E) to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called(F) to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name(G) of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours:

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

Thanksgiving

I always thank my God for you(I) because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched(J) in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge(K) God thus confirming our testimony(L) about Christ among you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift(M) as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.(N) He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless(O) on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.(P) God is faithful,(Q) who has called you(R) into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.(S)

A Church Divided Over Leaders

10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters,[a](T) in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you,(U) but that you be perfectly united(V) in mind and thought. 11 My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household(W) have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”;(X) another, “I follow Apollos”;(Y) another, “I follow Cephas[b]”;(Z) still another, “I follow Christ.”

13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?(AA) 14 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus(AB) and Gaius,(AC) 15 so no one can say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (Yes, I also baptized the household(AD) of Stephanas;(AE) beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize,(AF) but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom(AG) and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

Christ Crucified Is God’s Power and Wisdom

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness(AH) to those who are perishing,(AI) but to us who are being saved(AJ) it is the power of God.(AK) 19 For it is written:

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
    the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”[c](AL)

20 Where is the wise person?(AM) Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age?(AN) Has not God made foolish(AO) the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world(AP) through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save(AQ) those who believe.(AR) 22 Jews demand signs(AS) and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified:(AT) a stumbling block(AU) to Jews and foolishness(AV) to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called,(AW) both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God(AX) and the wisdom of God.(AY) 25 For the foolishness(AZ) of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness(BA) of God is stronger than human strength.

26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called.(BB) Not many of you were wise(BC) by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose(BD) the foolish(BE) things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not(BF)—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him.(BG) 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus,(BH) who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness,(BI) holiness(BJ) and redemption.(BK) 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”[d](BL)

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 1:10 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in verses 11 and 26; and in 2:1; 3:1; 4:6; 6:8; 7:24, 29; 10:1; 11:33; 12:1; 14:6, 20, 26, 39; 15:1, 6, 50, 58; 16:15, 20.
  2. 1 Corinthians 1:12 That is, Peter
  3. 1 Corinthians 1:19 Isaiah 29:14
  4. 1 Corinthians 1:31 Jer. 9:24

Introduction

Paul, (A)an apostle of (B)Christ Jesus (C)by the will of God, and our brother (D)Timothy,

To (E)the church of God which is at (F)Corinth with all the [a]saints who are throughout (G)Achaia:

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

(I)Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and (J)God of all comfort, who (K)comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in [b]any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just (L)as the sufferings of Christ are [c]ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. But if we are afflicted, it is (M)for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that (N)as you are partners in our sufferings, so also you are in our comfort.

For (O)we do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, of our (P)affliction which occurred in [d](Q)Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life. [e]Indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead, 10 who (R)rescued us from so great a danger of death, and will rescue us, He [f](S)on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us, 11 if you also join in (T)helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by (U)many persons in our behalf for the favor granted to us through the prayers of many.

Paul’s Integrity

12 For our [g]proud confidence is this: the testimony of (V)our conscience, that in holiness and (W)godly sincerity, (X)not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you. 13 For we write nothing else to you than what you read and understand, and I hope you will understand (Y)until the end; 14 just as you also partially did understand us, that we are your reason to be proud as you also are ours, on (Z)the day of our Lord Jesus.

15 In this confidence I intended at first to (AA)come to you, so that you might [h]twice receive a [i](AB)blessing; 16 [j]that is, to (AC)pass [k]your way into (AD)Macedonia, and again from Macedonia to come to you, and by you to be (AE)helped on my journey to Judea. 17 Therefore, I was not vacillating when I intended to do this, was I? Or what I decide, do I decide (AF)according to the flesh, so that with me there will be [l]yes, yes and no, no at the same time? 18 But as (AG)God is faithful, (AH)our word to you is not yes and no. 19 For (AI)the Son of God, Christ Jesus, who was preached among you by us—by me and (AJ)Silvanus and (AK)Timothy—was not yes and no, but has been yes (AL)in Him. 20 For (AM)as many as the promises of God are, (AN)in Him they are yes; therefore through Him also is (AO)our Amen to the glory of God through us. 21 Now He who (AP)establishes us with you in Christ and (AQ)anointed us is God, 22 who also (AR)sealed us and (AS)gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a [m]pledge.

23 But (AT)I call God as witness to my soul, that it was (AU)to spare you that I did not come again to (AV)Corinth. 24 Not that we (AW)domineer over your faith, but we are workers with you for your joy; for in your faith you are (AX)standing firm.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 1:1 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  2. 2 Corinthians 1:4 Lit every
  3. 2 Corinthians 1:5 Lit to us
  4. 2 Corinthians 1:8 I.e., west coast province of Asia Minor
  5. 2 Corinthians 1:9 Lit But we ourselves
  6. 2 Corinthians 1:10 One early ms on whom we have set our hope that He will also
  7. 2 Corinthians 1:12 Or source of pride
  8. 2 Corinthians 1:15 Lit have a second grace
  9. 2 Corinthians 1:15 One early ms joy
  10. 2 Corinthians 1:16 Lit and
  11. 2 Corinthians 1:16 Lit through you into
  12. 2 Corinthians 1:17 I.e., a strong yes and no
  13. 2 Corinthians 1:22 Or first installment

Paul, an apostle(A) of Christ Jesus by the will of God,(B) and Timothy(C) our brother,

To the church of God(D) in Corinth,(E) together with all his holy people throughout Achaia:(F)

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

Praise to the God of All Comfort

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

We do not want you to be uninformed,(M) brothers and sisters,[a] about the troubles we experienced(N) in the province of Asia.(O) We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God,(P) who raises the dead.(Q) 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril,(R) and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope(S) that he will continue to deliver us, 11 as you help us by your prayers.(T) Then many will give thanks(U) 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(V) testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity[b](W) and godly sincerity.(X) We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom(Y) 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.(Z)

15 Because I was confident of this, I wanted to visit you(AA) first so that you might benefit twice.(AB) 16 I wanted to visit you on my way(AC) to Macedonia(AD) and to come back to you from Macedonia, and then to have you send me on my way(AE) to Judea.(AF) 17 Was I fickle when I intended to do this? Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner(AG) so that in the same breath I say both “Yes, yes” and “No, no”?

18 But as surely as God is faithful,(AH) our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.” 19 For the Son of God,(AI) Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silas[c](AJ) and Timothy(AK)—was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always(AL) been “Yes.” 20 For no matter how many promises(AM) God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen”(AN) is spoken by us to the glory of God.(AO) 21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm(AP) in Christ. He anointed(AQ) us, 22 set his seal(AR) of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.(AS)

23 I call God as my witness(AT)—and I stake my life on it—that it was in order to spare you(AU) that I did not return to Corinth. 24 Not that we lord it over(AV) your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm.(AW)

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 1:8 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in 8:1; 13:11.
  2. 2 Corinthians 1:12 Many manuscripts holiness
  3. 2 Corinthians 1:19 Greek Silvanus, a variant of Silas