2 Corinthians 1-7
1:1 Paul, an apostle or sent one of Christ Jesus through the desire of God, and Timothy our brother; to the church and assembly of God that is in Corinth, together with all the holy ones that are in the entirety of Achaia. 2 Grace to you and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord, Jesus Christ.3 Blessed be, that is, we speak well of the God and Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort and encouragement; 4 the one comforting and encouraging us in all our pressures of travail, inside and out, resulting in our being able to comfort those inside every pressure through the comfort and encouragement with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 Because, as the sufferings or passions of Christ abound into us, in just the same way, our comfort and encouragement also abound through Christ. 6 More than that, If we are pressed with travail, it is for the sake of your comfort and salvation. If we are called to encouragement, it is for your comfort, energeoing inside the steadfastness of the same passions that we also suffer. 7 And our hope for you is firm and certain, knowing that, as you share of the sufferings, so also you share of the comfort.
8 Indeed, we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers and sisters, concerning our difficulties that happened in Asia, that we were weighted down excessively against our ability, so as even to despair in our desire to live. 9 But we possessed inside ourselves the sentence of death, that we should not be confidencing upon ourselves, but upon God, the One who is raising the dead, the One who has delivered us from such a great death and will deliver us. 10 You also join together in help for our sakes by supplication, that out from many persons the gift of good speaking might be given into us for our sakes.
12 For our boasting is this, the testimony of our consciousness, that is, our knowing together, that inside of holiness and devotion and the clarity of God, and not in fleshly wisdom, but inside the grace of God, we have sojourned inside the world to be more abundant towards you. 13 Indeed, no other things we write to you, other than what you read or even acknowledge; I hope moreover, that you will acknowledge to all completion, 14 (as also you have acknowledged us in part), that we are presently boasting of you, even as you also are boasting of us now inside of the day of our Lord, Jesus.
15 And with this confidence, I intended previously to come to you, that you might possess a second grace, 16 and through you to pass on into Macedonia, and again from Macedonia, to come to you, and to be sent by you forward into Judea. 17 Therefore, did I use levity in my intention? Or what I intend, do I intend according to the flesh, that there should be with me, “Yes, yes,” and “No, no?” 18 Moreover, God is faithful, that our word towards you was not “Yes and No.” 19 Indeed, the Son of God, Christ Jesus, who was proclaimed by us, that is, by me, Silvanus, and Timothy, to be among you, was not “Yes and No,” but it has always been “YES” inside of Him. {Paul is using the contrast with the Old Covenant, a blessing and cursing covenant, and the tree of knowledge, good and evil together – to mark the difference of the tree of life, which is YES only.} 20 Indeed, as the many promises of God are inside of Him, as the “Yes” is also through Him, so also the [proclamation] “Let it be so – it is so” is connecting to God towards glory through us. 21 More than that, the One who is presently and actively establishing us, that is, planting us firmly together with you into Christ, and who has anointed us, is God. 22 He is the One also who sealed us, having given us the down-payment of the Spirit inside our hearts.
23 I, however, call God as witness upon my soul, that to spare you is why I have not yet come to Corinth. 24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but we are workers together with your joy; indeed, you presently and actively stand firm inside of faith.
~
2:1-4 I determined this within myself, not to come to you in grief again. If indeed I grieve you, who, then, is cheering me, if not the one being grieved by me? And I wrote this, that, having come, I might not have grief from those who ought to cause me to rejoice; confidencing upon you all, that my joy be of you all. Indeed, out of much pressure and anguish of heart, I wrote to you, through many tears, not that you might be grieved, but that you might know the love that I have more abundantly towards you.
5-11 If, moreover, anyone has caused grief, he has not caused me grief, but in part that I might not put a burden on you all. Sufficient to such a one is this turning in the right direction, which is of great benefit, so that, on the contrary, rather, you are to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be overwhelmed with a greater sorrow. Therefore, I encourage you, to reaffirm love into him. For this indeed, also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether into all you are giving ear. Towards whomever you forgive anything, I also and indeed I; to whom I have forgiven, if anything I have forgiven, it is through you, inside the Person of Christ. Indeed, we are not ignorant of Satan’s designs, that we should be taken advantage of by him.
12-13 Having come, moreover, to Troas, into the gospel of Christ, a door also having been opened to me inside the Lord, I had not rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus, my brother; but having taken leave of the, I went out into Macedonia.
~
2: 14 Moreover, good grace and thanks be to God, who always leads us in the triumphal procession inside of Christ, with the aroma of His knowledge being made visible through us in every place. 15 For of Christ we are a fragrance to God inside those being saved, and inside those still perishing; 16 to one, indeed, an aroma out from death into death [always the one death of Christ], to the other an aroma out from life into life. Who is sufficient for these things? 17 Indeed, we are not like the many, peddling the word of God, but as out of clarity, but as out of God, we speak before God inside of all the sphere of Christ.
3:1 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we not need, as some, commendatory letters to you or from you? 2 You are our letter, having been written inside our hearts, being known and read by all humans. 3 It is fully made visible that you ARE a letter of Christ, with us under your service, having already been written, not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God – not on tablets of stone, but inside tablets of hearts of flesh.
4 Moreover, we have such confidence through Christ towards God, that is, connecting always with God, 5 not that we are sufficient out from ourselves, to reckon anything as out of ourselves, but our sufficiency is always out of God, 6 who also has made us sufficient servants of a New Covenant, not of letter, but of Spirit; indeed, letter kills, but Spirit gives life.
7 Now, if the ministry of death, having been engraved in letters on stones, came into being inside of glory, to the extent that the sons of Israel were unable to look intently into the face of Moses, because of the glory of his face, if this ministry of death is annulled and rendered inoperative, 8 how much more the ministry of the Spirit will be inside of glory? 9 For if glory was in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of just innocence abounds in glory much more. 10 Since what was made glorious has not been glorified in this respect, that there is a glory far beyond it. 11 For if that which is annulled and rendered inoperative came through glory, then that which remains and abides is much more inside of glory!
12 Therefore, having such hope, we make use of great boldness of speaking, 13 not as Moses did, who put a veil upon his face so that the children of Israel would not look intently at the end result of that which is annulled and rendered inoperative, 14 for their minds were hardened. For until the present day, the same veil remains unlifted upon the reading of the old covenant, which veil itself is being annulled and rendered inoperative inside of Christ. 15 But unto this day, when Moses shall be read, a veil is set upon their heart. 16 However, if and whenever one shall have turned towards the Lord, the veil is stripped away.
17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 We all, then, having been unveiled in face, are reflecting the glory of the Lord [to one another] as a mirror and are being metamorphosed into the same image from glory into glory, just exactly as from the Spirit of the Lord.
4:1 Because of this, as this ministry belongs to us, just as we received mercy, so we do not become weary. 2 But we have renounced the secrets of shame, not walking inside of selfish or evil works nor ensnaring or corrupting the word of God. We are making the truth visible and are establishing ourselves towards all the consciousness of men in the face and presence of God. 3 If, however, our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelieving inside of them so that they do not shine forth the illumination of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord and ourselves as your servants through Jesus. 6 For the God who said, “Out of darkness light shall shine” (Genesis 1:3), this same God shines inside our hearts towards the illumination of the knowledge of the glory of God inside of the face and presence of Jesus Christ.
7 For we have this treasure inside of earthen vessels, so that the surpassing beyond-ness of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are being hard pressed in every way, but not restricted; being at a loss, but not being utterly at a loss. 9 We are always being put to flight, but not being left behind; being cast down, but not being utterly cast down. 10 We are always carrying the death of Jesus in our body, so that the life of Jesus should also become visible inside of our body. 11 For we the living are always being handed over or traded into death through Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be made visible inside of our mortal flesh. 12 So then, death [the one death of Jesus] energeoes inside of us, but life energeoes inside of you.
13 Possessing, however, the same Spirit of faith, according to what was written: “I believed, therefore I have spoken” (Psalm 116:10), we also believe and therefore speak, 14 knowing that the One having raised up the Lord Jesus, will also raise us up together with Jesus and will prove us and cause us to stand together with you. 15 For all things are through you, so that grace having abounded more and more through the eucharist, the thanksgiving, the speaking of good grace, may increase and abound into the glory of God.
16 Therefore we do not become weary or lose heart; but if indeed our outward man is decaying, yet our inner man, that is, our inner self is being renewed, that is, the completing of a process, day by day. 17 For our momentary and easy to bear pressure of travail within and without is working out for us a far surpassing beyond-ness into far surpassing beyond-ness, that is, an unending excessiveness of the weight and substance of glory. 18 We are not looking at or regarding the things being seen [by outward appearance], but we are looking at and regarding the things not being seen [the substance of God]. For the things being seen are temporary, but the things not being seen are age-unfolding.
~ Now, as you continue reading Chapter 5, keep ever in mind that Paul is continuing to speak entirely out from the profound reality he described in 4:6-7. Nothing in the next chapter is found outside of the reality of those two verses, which are the full expression of the surpassing beyond-ness of the glory in which we live. ~
6 Always showing confidence and good courage, therefore, and being aware that, if we identify ourselves inside of the dying body, we are not identifying ourselves as from the Lord; 7 for we walk through faith, not through sight. 8 We show confidence and good courage, now, and are well-pleased, rather to identify ourselves out of the dying body, and to identify ourselves towards the Lord.
a Referring directly back to the house we already possess inside the heavens, our spirit, now one Spirit with Christ.
b Paul is not speaking here of geography – we CANNOT be “absent” from the Lord, neither is heaven and earth two separate “places,” rather, he is speaking of identity. Note: Paul is using Greek idioms, here, familiar to the Greek Corinthians. Idioms cannot be translated directly for their meaning is not in the literal words.
9 Therefore, we also love being well-pleasing to Him, wherever our identity might be. 10 For it is necessary for all of us to be visible in the face of the judgment seat of Christ, that we may carry the things each performs through the body, whether good or evil. 11 Knowing, therefore, the fear of the Lord, we persuade men to God having been made visible [inside the face of Christ]. And I hope that we are made visible inside of your consciousness as well.
c Paul is referring directly to what he will formulate as Galatians 2:20 just a few weeks after writing this letter – not I, but Christ. More than that, this reference to Christ, not I is the same thing Paul is saying about our identity (not geography) while still in these mortal bodies.
d Notice, now as you continue reading, how this whole passage of several chapters has become one meaningful and integrated whole. Paul is not jumping from one topic to another, but everything in these chapters is all regarding the same reality or transformation into glory, expressed in several different ways.
16 Therefore, from now on, we do not perceive or identify anyone according to the details of the flesh. Though even Christ we have known according to the details of the flesh, yet now we know Him in that way no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is inside of Christ, he is a New Creation. The old things are already gone; look and see, the New has already become. 18 And all things are out of God, the One who has already reconciled and reconnected us to Himself through Christ, and has given to us the ministry or service of reconciliation and reconnection, 19 how that God was inside of Christ reconciling and reconnecting the world or cosmos to Himself, not counting to them their false steps, that is, their disconnection from God, and [this same God] has set forth and placed inside of us the Word of reconciliation and reconnection with God.
~ It is clear to me that splitting Paul’s letter into chapters has broken apart his gospel into unintended little pieces inside the minds of readers from the Geneva Bible (Calvinist) from 1560 until now. For that reason, you should continue reading this as one whole thought, basically from Chapter 2, verse 14, through to and including Chapter 7, verse 1, after which Paul reverts back to his earlier discussion of people and places. ~
6:1 As synergeoing [with God], we also encourage you not to receive and welcome the grace of God into emptiness. 2 For He says: “In an acceptable time, I listened to you, and inside a day of salvation, I helped you” (Isaiah 49:8). Behold, now is the time of favor and of good welcome; behold now is the day of salvation.
3 We are placing nothing, no obstacle for anyone, so that the ministry [of reconciliation] should not be faulted, 4 rather in everything, we are establishing ourselves as God’s servants and ministry, inside of great endurance, inside of the pressures of travail, inside of compelling need, inside of great difficulties, 5 inside of beatings, inside of imprisonments, inside of riots, inside of toil, inside of sleeplessness, inside of fasting; 6 inside of purity, inside of knowledge, inside of longsuffering, inside of kindness; inside of the Holy Spirit, inside of genuine love; 7 inside of truthful word, inside of the power of God; through the instruments of righteousness to the right hand and to the left; 8 through glory and disgrace, through bad report and good report. We are as deceivers leading astray, and yet true; 9 as being not-known and yet being exactly known or acknowledged; as dying, and yet look and see – we live; as being disciplined, and yet not being put in danger of death; 10 as being distressed, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet enriching many; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
11 Our mouth has been opened to you, Corinthians, our heart has been enlarged. 12 You are not limited or restrained in us, you are limited and restrained, however, in your own inward parts and emotions. 13 Now, as if I speak to children: Be enlarged also in the same proportion as we are.
14 Do not become unequally yoked to unbelievers; for what partnership has righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light towards darkness? 15 What harmony or agreement has Christ with vile wickedness, that is, with Satan? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 What alliance has the temple of God together with idols? For we are the living temple of God, as God has said, “I will dwell inside of them, and I will walk about among them; and I will be their God, and they will be My people” (Ezekiel 37:26-27). 17 Therefore, “Come out from the midst of them and be separate and marked off by boundaries,” says the Lord, “and touch nothing impure, and I will welcome and receive you (Isaiah 52:11). 18 And I will be Father into you, and you will be sons and daughters into Me,” says the Lord All-Carrying (2 Samuel 7:14).
7:1 Possessing therefore these promises, beloved, we should cleanse ourselves from every defilement or lack of flesh and spirit, completing holiness inside of the fear of God.
~
2-4 Make room for us; we have wronged no one; we have corrupted no one; we have taken advantage of no one. I do not speak towards condemnation; I have said before that you are in our hearts, into dying together and living together {shared symmorphy}. Much is my bold speaking towards you; much is my boasting for your sake; I have been filled with encouragement; I hyper-abound, that is, I abound more exceedingly to overflowing with joy upon all of our pressures [within and without].
5-7 And for our having come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest; but inside of all we are being pressed: conflicts on the outside and fears within. But God, the One comforting and encouraging the downcast, comforted and encouraged us by the presence of Titus, not only now by his presence, but also by the comfort and encouragement with which he was comforted and encouraged as to you; relating to us your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more.
8-12 For if I have also grieved you in the letter, I do not regret it. Even though I did regret it; I see indeed that the letter grieved you, if only for an hour. I now rejoice, not that you were grieved, but that you were grieved into changing your minds; you were grieved according to God, so that in nothing you might suffer loss from us. For grief according to God, works [by exchange], changing the mind into salvation without regret. And the grief of the world works out only death. Be aware that for this very same thing, being grieved according to God, how much earnestness [it] has worked out in you, but reasoned defense, but indignation, but fear, but longing, but zeal, but vindication! In all, you have established yourselves to be pure and holy in this matter. So, even if I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the one having done wrong, nor for the sake of the one having suffered wrong, but rather for the sake of your earnestness being made visible, which for us towards you in the face and presence of God.
13-16 Through this we have been comforted and encouraged. Besides, now, our comfort, rather, we have rejoiced even more abundantly at the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you. For If I have boasted anything about you to him, I was not put to shame; but as we have spoken truth to you in all, so also our boasting to Titus became truth. And his inward parts [emotions] are more abundantly into you, remembering all your submission to hearing, how you received him with fear and trembling. I rejoice that I am confident in you in everything.