问候

我是奉上帝旨意做基督耶稣使徒的保罗,与提摩太弟兄写信给在哥林多的上帝的教会以及亚该亚境内所有的圣徒。

愿我们的父上帝和主耶稣基督赐给你们恩典和平安!

上帝的安慰

我们主耶稣基督的父上帝当受赞美!祂是仁慈的父和赐一切安慰的上帝。 我们遭遇任何患难,祂都安慰我们,使我们能够用祂给我们的安慰去安慰那些在各样患难中的人。 正如我们多受基督所受的苦楚,也靠基督多得安慰。 我们遭受患难,是为了使你们得到安慰和拯救;我们得到安慰,也是为了使你们得到安慰,以便你们能忍受像我们所遭遇的诸般苦难。 我们对你们坚信不移,因为知道你们既和我们同受患难,也必和我们同得安慰。

弟兄姊妹,希望你们知道我们在亚细亚所遭遇的苦难。那时我们承受极大的压力,超过了我们的极限,甚至连活命的指望都没了。 我们心里觉得必死无疑,这使我们不倚靠自己,只倚靠使死人复活的上帝。 10 祂曾救我们脱离死亡的威胁,将来还要救我们。我们深信祂必继续救我们。 11 你们也要用祈祷帮助我们,使恩典借着许多人的祷告临到我们,众人便因此而为我们感恩。

保罗改变计划

12 我们感到自豪的是:我们本着上帝所赐的圣洁和诚实为人处世,倚靠祂的恩典,不倚靠人的聪明才智,对待你们更是这样。这一点,我们的良心可以作证。 13-14 我们不写任何你们读不懂、不明白的内容。你们现在对我们有几分认识,但我盼望你们最终完全认识到:当主耶稣再来的日子,你们将以我们为荣,正如我们将以你们为荣一样。

15 我有这样的把握,所以早就计划去你们那里,使你们有两次蒙福的机会。 16 我打算从你们那里去马其顿,再从马其顿回到你们那里,然后你们为我送行前往犹太。 17 我定了这计划,难道会反复无常吗?难道我是意气用事,出尔反尔吗? 18 我在信实的上帝面前保证:我们对你们说的话绝不会忽是忽非! 19 我和西拉、提摩太在你们当中所传扬的那位上帝的儿子耶稣基督绝不会忽是忽非,在祂只有“是”。 20 因为上帝的一切应许在基督里都是确实的,所以我们也是借着基督说“阿们[a]”,将荣耀归于上帝。 21 是上帝使我们和你们一同在基督里信心坚固。祂差遣[b]了我们, 22 在我们身上盖了祂自己的印记,并让圣灵住在我们心中作担保。

23 我求上帝为我作证:我没有去哥林多,是为了宽容你们。 24 我们并不是要操纵你们的信仰,而是要帮助你们,使你们喜乐,因为你们在信仰上已经站稳了。

Footnotes

  1. 1:20 阿们”是“诚然如此”的意思。
  2. 1:21 差遣”希腊文是“膏立”。

Greeting

From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and from Timothy our brother.

To God’s church in the city of Corinth and to all God’s holy people everywhere in Greece.

Good will [a] and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ are yours!

God Comforts Paul and the Corinthians

Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! He is the Father who is compassionate and the God who gives comfort. He comforts us whenever we suffer. That is why whenever other people suffer, we are able to comfort them by using the same comfort we have received from God. Because Christ suffered so much for us, we can receive so much comfort from him. Besides, if we suffer, it brings you comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, we can effectively comfort you when you endure the same sufferings that we endure. We have confidence in you. We know that as you share our sufferings, you also share our comfort.

God Rescued Paul When He Was Suffering

Brothers and sisters, we don’t want you to be ignorant about the suffering we experienced in the province of Asia. It was so extreme that it was beyond our ability to endure. We even wondered if we could go on living. In fact, we still feel as if we’re under a death sentence. But we suffered so that we would stop trusting ourselves and learn to trust God, who brings the dead back to life. 10 He has rescued us from a terrible death, and he will rescue us in the future. We are confident that he will continue to rescue us, 11 since you are also joining to help us when you pray for us. Then many people will thank God for the favor he will show us because many people prayed for us.

Paul’s Reason for Being Proud

12 We are proud that our conscience is clear. We are proud of the way that we have lived in this world. We have lived with a God-given holiness [b] and sincerity, especially toward you. It was not by human wisdom that we have lived but by God’s kindness.[c] 13 We are only writing you what you already knew before you read this. I hope you will understand this as long as you live, 14 even though you now understand it only partially. We are your reason to be proud, as you will be our reason to be proud on the day of our Lord Jesus.

Why Paul Changed His Plans

15 Confident of this, I had previously wanted to visit you so that you could benefit twice. 16 My plans had been to go from the city of Corinth to the province of Macedonia. Then from Macedonia I had planned to return to you again in Corinth and have you support my trip to Judea.

17 You don’t think that I made these plans lightly, do you? Do you think that when I make plans, I make them in a sinful way? Why would I say that something is true when it isn’t? 18 You can depend on God. Our message to you isn’t false; it’s true. 19 God’s Son, Jesus Christ, whom I, Silvanus, and Timothy told you about, was true not false. Because of him our message was always true. 20 Certainly, Christ made God’s many promises come true. For that reason, because of our message, people also honor God by saying, “Amen!”

21 God establishes us, together with you, in a relationship with Christ. He has also anointed us. 22 In addition, he has put his seal ⌞of ownership⌟ on us and has given us the Spirit as his guarantee.

23 I appeal to God as a witness on my behalf, that I stayed away from Corinth because I wanted to spare you. 24 It isn’t that we want to have control over your Christian faith. Rather, we want to work with you so that you will be happy. Certainly, you are firmly established in the Christian faith.

Footnotes

  1. 1:2 Or “grace.”
  2. 1:12 Some manuscripts and translations read “God-given openness.”
  3. 1:12 Or “grace.”

From Sha’ul, a Shliach of Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua birtzon Hashem (by the will of G-d), and Timotiyos, the Ach b’Moshiach; To the Kehillah (Congregation) of Hashem existing in Corinth, with all the Kadoshim throughout Achaia.

Chen v’Chesed Hashem to you and shalom from Elohim Avinu and Adoneinu Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua.

Baruch hu Hashem Elohim Avi of Adoneinu Yehoshua, Avi HaRachamim vaElohei kol nechamah (comfort), [TEHILLIM 103:13; YESHAYAH 66:13]

The one giving us chizzuk (strengthening) with respect to all our tzoros so as to enable us to give chizzuk to the ones experiencing tzoros, and that through the nechamah (comfort) by which we ourselves are comforted (1:3) by Hashem. [YESHAYAH 49:13; 51:12; 66:13]

This is so because as the Chevlei Moshiach (birth pangs of Moshiach) abound to us, so through Moshiach abounds also our nechamah (1:3; YESHAYAH 51:12). [TEHILLIM 34:19; 94:19]

Now if we are experiencing tzoros, it is for your chizzuk (strengthening) and Yeshu’at Eloheinu; or if we are being given nechamah (comfort), it is for your nechamah that is producing in you the chozek (strength) of zitzfleisch (patience) for the endurance of the tzoros which we also suffer. [1Th 3:3]

And our tikvah (hope) for you is well-founded, for we have da’as that as you have deveykus (cleaving to) the Chevlei Moshiach, so also you will have deveykus to the nechamah.

For we do not want you to lack da’as, Achim b’Moshiach, as to the tzoros and tribulation that came upon us in Asia [Ac 19:23; 1C 15:32], that utterly beyond our strength we were burdened, causing us to come to a feeling of ye’ush (despair) even of being able to stay alive.

But we ourselves have had the gezar din (verdict) of mishpat mavet (a death sentence) in ourselves so that we should not have emunah (faith) in ourselves but in Hashem, Mechayyei Mesim (Who Revivest the Dead). [Shemoneh Esreh, YIRMEYAH 17:5,7]

10 The same G-d out of so great a Mavet delivered us and will continue to deliver us. We have set tikvateinu (our hope) that he will yet deliver us, [2 Ti 4:18]

11 As you also labor together for us by techinnah (supplication), so that the "Modeh Ani" for us will be said by the many (YESHAYAH 53:11-12) for the matanah (gift) granted us through the tefillos of the many.

12 For our glorying is in this: the edut (testimony) of our matzpun (conscience) [MJ 13:18] is that without remiyah (guile, fraud, deceit) and with lev tahor ("pure heart" TEHILLIM 51:12) with the sincerity of Hashem [2C 2:17] and not in the "chochmah" of the basar [1C 1:17] but in the Chen v’Chesed of Hashem, we conducted ourselves in the Olam Hazeh, and more especially toward you.

13 For we write nothing so shver (complex) to you that you cannot read and have binah (understanding), and I have tikvah that you will have da’as shlemah until HaKetz,

14 As you have already had da’as of us in part, as also we are your kavod [2C 5:12], even as also you are ours in the Yom Hashem of Adoneinu Yehoshua. [Pp 2:16]

15 And with this bitachon (confidence) I planned previously to come to you, that a second benefit you might have.

16 It was my cheshbon (plan) to visit you by way of Macedonia and again from Macedonia to come to you, and by you to be sent on to Yehudah (Judea Ac 19:21; 1C 16:5,6).

17 This was my matarah (aim, goal); surely then I did not act with vacillation? Or when I make plans [2C 5:16], do I have a cheshbon according to the basar, ready with "Ken, Ken!" and then, "Lo! Lo!"

18 Al emunat Hashem (in the faithfulness of G-d), our dvar to you has not been "Ken" and "Lo."

19 For the Ben HaElohim, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua, the One having been proclaimed among you by us, by Sila and Timotiyos and me [Ac 18:5], was not a "Ken and Lo"; but in Him it has always been "Ken."

20 For in Moshiach every one of Hashem’s havtachot (promises) is a "Ken." For this reason it is b’Shem Moshiach that we say the "Omein" to the kavod of Hashem [1C 14:16; Rv 3:14].

21 But it is Hashem who establishes us with you in Moshiach and has given us the mishchah (anointing 1Y 2:27),

22 Having put his chotam [seal of ownership BERESHIS 38:18; YECHEZKEL 9:4; Ep 1:13; 4:30; Rv 7:4] on us and having given the eravon (pledge) of the Ruach Hakodesh in our levavot. (hearts Ro 8:16; 2C 5:5; Ep 1:14). [BERESHIS 38:18; YECHEZKEL 9:4; CHAGGAI 2:23]

23 Now, I call upon Hashem as eidus (witness) against my nefesh, my neshamah (soul), that it was to spare you that I did not come again to Corinth. [Ro 1:9; 2C 11:31; Pp 1:8; 1Th 2:5,10]

24 Not that we play the gontser macher to domineer over your emunah (faith) [1K 5:3], but we are fellow po’alim for your simcha, for by emunah you stand.

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