MSB 2 COR Chapter 1

Paul Greets the Corinthians

(Acts 18:1–11, 1 Corinthians 1:1–3)

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ[fn] by [the] will of God, and Timothy [our] brother,

To the church of God in Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and [the] Lord Jesus Christ.

The God of All Comfort

Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and [the] God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves [have received] from God. 5 For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

If we are afflicted, [it is] for your comfort and salvation,[fn] which accomplishes in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we experience. 7 And our hope for you [is] sure; if we are comforted, [it is] for your comfort and salvation,[fn] [because] we know that just as vvv you share in [our] sufferings, so also [you will share] in [our] comfort.

vvv We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the hardships we encountered in [the province of] Asia.[fn] We were under a burden far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. 9 Indeed, we felt vvv we were under the sentence of death, in order that vvv we would not trust in ourselves, but in God, who raises the dead.

[He] has delivered us from such a deadly peril and He continues to deliver [us].[fn] In [Him] we have placed our hope that He will yet again deliver [us] 11 as you help us by [your] prayers. Then many will give thanks on your behalf[fn] for the favor shown us in answer to [ their prayers ].

Paul’s Change of Plans

For this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in relation to you, in [the] integrity[fn] and sincerity [that are from] God — not in worldly[fn] wisdom, but in [the] grace of God. 13 For we do not write you anything that is beyond your ability to read [and] understand. And I hope that you will understand [us] vvv completely, 14 as vvv you have already understood us in part, that you may boast of us just as we vvv [ will boast ] of you in the day of the Lord Jesus.[fn]

Confident of this, I planned to visit you first, so that you might receive a double blessing. 16 [I wanted] to visit vvv you on my way to Macedonia, and to return to you from Macedonia, and then [to have] you help me on my way to Judea.

When I planned this, vvv did I do it carelessly? Or do I make my plans by human standards, so as [to say]“Yes, yes” vvv and also“No, no”? 18 But [as surely as] God [is] faithful, our message to you was not[fn]“Yes” and“No.” 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ,[fn] who was proclaimed among you by me and Silvanus[fn] and Timothy, was not“Yes” and“No,” but in Him it has always been“Yes.” 20 For all [the] promises of God [are]“Yes” in [Christ]. And so in Him,[fn] [our]“Amen” vvv is spoken to [the] glory of God.

Now [it is] God who establishes [both] us and you in Christ. He anointed us, 22 placed His seal on us, and put [His] Spirit in our hearts as a pledge of what is to come. 23 I call God as my witness that [it was in order] to spare you [that] I did not return to Corinth. 24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but we are fellow workers with you for [your] joy, because [it is] by faith [that] you stand firm.