2 Corinthians 1:12-2:11

Christian Standard Bible

A Clear Conscience

¹² Indeed, this is our boast: The testimony^(A) of our conscience^(B) is that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you, with godly sincerity and purity, not by human wisdom^(C) but by God’s grace.^{(D) 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,^(E) just as you also are ours^(F) in the day of our^[a] Lord Jesus.^(G)

A Visit Postponed

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

²³ I call on God as a witness,^(X) on my life, that it was to spare you that I did not come to Corinth.^{(Y) 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^(Z) faith.

2 In fact, I made up my mind about this: I would not come to you on another painful visit.^{[e] 2} For if I cause you pain, then who will cheer me other than the one being hurt by me?^{[f] 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^(AA) 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^(AB)—to all of you. ⁶ This punishment by the majority is sufficient for that person. ⁷ As a result, you should instead forgive^(AC) 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^(AD) to see if you are obedient^(AE) 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^(AF) of by Satan. For we are not ignorant of his schemes.