1Paul , an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God , and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth , with all the saints that are in the whole of Achaia: 2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ .
Comfort in Suffering
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ , the Father of mercies and God of all comfort ; 4who comforteth us in all our affliction , that we may be able to comfort them that are in any affliction , through the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God . 5For as the sufferings of Christ abound unto us , even so our comfort also aboundeth through Christ . 6But whether we are afflicted , it is for your comfort and salvation ; or whether we are comforted , it is for your comfort , which worketh in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer : 7and our hope for you is stedfast; knowing that , as ye are partakers of the sufferings , so also are ye of the comfort .
The Purpose of Suffering
8For we would not have you ignorant, brethren , concerning our affliction which befell us in Asia , that we were weighed down exceedingly, beyond our power , insomuch that we despaired even of life : 9yea, we ourselves have had the sentence of death within ourselves , that we should not trust in ourselves , but in God who raiseth the dead : 10who delivered us out of so great a death , and will deliver : on whom we have set our hope that he will also still deliver us ; 11ye also helping together on our behalf by your supplication ; that , for the gift bestowed upon us by means of many , thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf .
Paul's Integrity and Plans
12For our glorying is this , the testimony of our conscience , that in holiness and sincerity of God , not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God , we behaved ourselves in the world , and more abundantly to you-ward. 13For we write no other things unto you , than what ye read or even acknowledge , and I hope ye will acknowledge unto the end : 14as also ye did acknowledge us in part , that we are your glorying , even as ye also are ours , in the day of our Lord Jesus . 15And in this confidence I was minded to come first unto you , that ye might have a second benefit ; 16and by you to pass into Macedonia , and again from Macedonia to come unto you , and of you to be set forward on my journey unto Judæa . 17When I therefore was thus minded , did I show fickleness? or the things that I purpose , do I purpose according to the flesh , that with me there should be the yea yea and the nay nay ? 18But as God is faithful , our word toward you is not yea and nay . 19For the Son of God , Jesus Christ , who was preached among you by us , even by me and Silvanus and Timothy , was not yea and nay , but in him is yea . 20For how many soever be the promises of God , in him is the yea : wherefore also through him is the Amen, unto the glory of God through us . 21Now he that establisheth us with you in Christ , and anointed us , is God ; 22who also sealed us , and gave us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts . 23But I call God for a witness upon my soul , that to spare you I forbare to come unto Corinth . 24Not that we have lordship over your faith , but are helpers of your joy : for in faith ye stand fast.