Introduction

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Timothy, To the church of God which is at Corinth with all the saints who are throughout Achaia:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,

who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

This is the very thing I wrote you, so that when I came, I would not have sorrow from those who ought to make me rejoice; having confidence in you all that my joy was the joy of you all.

But if anyone has caused sorrow, he has caused sorrow not for me, but in some degree—not to say too much—for all of you.

For to this end I also wrote, so that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things.

You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all people,

But we all, with unveiled faces, looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

For all things are for your sakes, so that grace, having spread to more and more people, will cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

For our momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive compensation for his deeds done through the body, in accordance with what he has done, whether good or bad.

For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died;

and He died for all, so that those who live would no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose on their behalf.

Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation,

as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing and yet possessing all things.

Paul Reveals His Heart

Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let’s cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

My confidence in you is great; my boasting in your behalf is great. I am filled with comfort; I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction.

Because of this, we have been comforted. And besides our comfort, we rejoiced even much more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.

For if I have boasted to him about you regarding anything, I was not put to shame. But as we spoke all things to you in truth, so also our boasting before Titus proved to be the truth.

His affection abounds all the more toward you, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling.

But just as you excel in everything, in faith, speaking, knowledge, and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you also excel in this gracious work.

We have sent along with him the brother whose fame in the things of the gospel has spread through all the churches;

And God is able to make all grace overflow to you, so that, always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;

you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.

Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all,