Study Desk

Are we beginning to ^(C1)commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some, ^(C2)letters of commendation to you or from you?

^(C1)You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all people,

revealing yourselves, that you are a letter of Christ, ^(F1)(C1)delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of ^(C2)the living God, not on ^(C3)tablets of stone but on ^(C4)tablets of ^(F2)(C5)human hearts.

Such is the ^(C1)confidence we have toward God through Christ.

Not that we are adequate in ourselves so as to consider anything as having come from ourselves, but ^(C1)our adequacy is from God,

who also made us adequate as ^(C1)servants of a ^(C2)new covenant, not of ^(C3)the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but ^(C4)the Spirit gives life.

But if the ^(C1)ministry of death, engraved ^(C2)in letters on stones, came ^(F1)with glory ^(C3)so that the sons of Israel could not look intently at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face, fading as it was,

how will the ministry of the Spirit fail to be even more with glory?

For if ^(C1)the ministry of condemnation has glory, much more does the ^(C2)ministry of righteousness excel in glory.

For indeed what had glory in this case has no glory, because of the glory that surpasses it.

For if that which fades away was ^(F1)with glory, much more that which remains is in glory.

^(C1)Therefore, having such a hope, ^(C2)we use great boldness in our speech,

and we are not like Moses, ^(C1)who used to put a veil over his face so that the sons of Israel would not stare at the end of what was fading away.

But their minds were ^(C1)hardened; for until this very day at the ^(C2)reading of ^(C3)the old covenant the same veil ^(F1)remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ.

But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their hearts;

^(C1)but whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where ^(C1)the Spirit of the Lord is, ^(C2)there is freedom.

But we all, with unveiled faces, ^(C1)looking as in a mirror at the ^(C2)glory of the Lord, are being ^(C3)transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from ^(C4)the Lord, the Spirit.

Therefore, since we have this ^(C1)ministry, as we ^(C2)received mercy, we ^(C3)do not lose heart,

but we have renounced the ^(C1)things hidden because of shame, not walking in trickery nor ^(C2)distorting the word of God, but by the open proclamation of the truth ^(C3)commending ourselves to every person's conscience in the sight of God.

And even if our ^(C1)gospel is ^(C2)veiled, it is veiled ^(F1)to ^(C3)those who are perishing,

in whose case ^(C1)the god of ^(C2)this ^(F1)world has ^(C3)blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that ^(F2)they will not see the ^(C4)light of the gospel of the ^(C5)glory of Christ, who is the ^(C6)image of God.

For we ^(C1)do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants ^(F1)on account of Jesus.

For God, who said, "^(C1)Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has ^(C2)shone in our hearts to give the ^(C3)Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

But we have this treasure in ^(F1)(C1)earthen containers, so that the extraordinary greatness of ^(C2)the power will be of God and not from ourselves;

we are ^(C1)afflicted in every way, but not ^(C2)crushed; ^(C3)perplexed, but not despairing;

^(C1)persecuted, but not ^(C2)abandoned; ^(C3)struck down, but not destroyed;

^(C1)always carrying around in the body the dying of Jesus, so that ^(C2)the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

For we who live are constantly being handed over to death because of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal flesh.

So death works in us, but life in you.

But having the same ^(C1)spirit of faith, according to what is written: "^(C2)I BELIEVED, THEREFORE I SPOKE," we also believe, therefore we also speak,

knowing that He who ^(C1)raised the Lord Jesus ^(C2)will also raise us with Jesus, and will ^(C3)present us with you.

For all things are ^(C1)for your sakes, so that grace, having ^(F1)(C2)spread to more and more people, will cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

Therefore we ^(C1)do not lose heart, but though our outer person is decaying, yet our ^(C2)inner person is ^(C3)being renewed day by day.

For our momentary, ^(C1)light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,

while we ^(C1)look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

For we know that if our ^(F1)(C1)earthly ^(C2)tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house ^(C3)not made by hands, eternal in the heavens.

For indeed, in this tent we ^(C1)groan, longing to be ^(C2)clothed with our ^(F1)dwelling from heaven,

since in fact after putting it on, we will not be found naked.

For indeed, we who are in this tent ^(C1)groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be ^(C2)clothed, so that what is ^(C3)mortal will be swallowed up by life.

Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who ^(C1)gave us the Spirit as a ^(F1)pledge.

Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that ^(C1)while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord—

for ^(C1)we walk by faith, not by ^(F1)sight—

but we are of good courage and ^(C1)prefer rather to be absent from the body and ^(C2)to be at home with the Lord.

Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be ^(C1)pleasing to Him.

For we must all appear before ^(C1)the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive compensation for ^(F1)his deeds done through the body, in accordance with what he has done, whether good or bad.

Therefore, knowing the ^(C1)fear of the Lord, we persuade people, but we are well known to God; and I hope that we are also ^(C2)well known in your consciences.

We are not commending ourselves to you ^(C1)again, but are giving you an ^(C2)opportunity to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart.

For if we have ^(C1)lost our minds, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you.

For the love of Christ ^(C1)controls us, having concluded this, that ^(C2)one died for all, therefore all died;

and He died for all, so that those who live would no longer ^(C1)live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose on their behalf.

Therefore from now on we recognize no one ^(F1)(C1)by the flesh; even though we have known Christ by the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer.

Therefore if anyone is ^(C1)in Christ, this person is ^(C2)a new ^(F1)creation; ^(C3)the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

Now ^(C1)all these things are from God, ^(C2)who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ^(C3)ministry of reconciliation,

namely, that ^(C1)God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, ^(C2)not counting their wrongdoings against them, and ^(F1)He has ^(F2)committed to us the word of reconciliation.

Therefore, we are ^(C1)ambassadors for Christ, ^(C2)as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be ^(C3)reconciled to God.

He made Him who ^(C1)knew no sin to be ^(F1)(C2)sin in our behalf, so that we might become the ^(C3)righteousness of God in Him.

And ^(C1)working together with Him, ^(C2)we also urge you not to receive ^(C3)the grace of God in vain—

for He says, "^(C1)AT A FAVORABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU, AND ON A DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU." Behold, now is "A FAVORABLE TIME," behold, now is "A DAY OF SALVATION"—

Footnotes:  

Cross References:  

^(C1)giving no reason for taking offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited,

but in everything ^(C1)commending ourselves as ^(F1)(C2)servants of God, ^(C3)in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in difficulties,

in ^(C1)beatings, in imprisonments, in ^(F1)(C2)mob attacks, in labors, in sleeplessness, in ^(C3)hunger,

in purity, in ^(C1)knowledge, in ^(C2)patience, in kindness, in the ^(C3)Holy Spirit, in ^(C4)genuine love,

in ^(C1)the word of truth, and in ^(C2)the power of God; by ^(C3)the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left,

by glory and ^(C1)dishonor, by ^(C2)evil report and good report; regarded as ^(C3)deceivers and yet ^(C4)true;

as unknown and yet well known, as ^(C1)dying and yet behold, ^(C2)we are alive; as ^(F1)punished and yet not put to death,

as ^(C1)sorrowful yet always ^(C1)rejoicing, as ^(C2)poor yet making many rich, as ^(C3)having nothing and yet possessing ^(C4)all things.

^(C1)Our mouth ^(F1)has spoken freely to you, you Corinthians, our ^(C2)heart is opened wide.

You are not restrained ^(F1)by us, but ^(C1)you are restrained in your own ^(F2)affections.

Now in the same way in ^(C1)exchange—I am speaking as to ^(C2)children—open wide your hearts to us, you as well.

^(C1)Do not be ^(F1)mismatched with ^(C2)unbelievers; for what do righteousness and lawlessness ^(C3)share together, or what does light have in common with darkness?

Or what ^(C1)harmony does Christ have with ^(F1)Belial, or ^(F2)what does a ^(C2)believer share with an ^(C3)unbeliever?

Or ^(C1)what agreement does ^(F1)the temple of God have with idols? For we are ^(F1)(C2)the temple of ^(C3)the living God; just as God said, "^(C4)I WILL ^(C5)DWELL AMONG THEM AND ^(C6)WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.

-"^(C1)Therefore, ^(C2)COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE," says the Lord. "AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you.

-"^(C1)And I will be a father to you, And you shall be ^(C2)sons and daughters to Me," Says the Lord Almighty.

Therefore, having these promises, ^(C1)beloved, ^(C2)let's cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

^(C1)Make room for us in your hearts; we have wronged no one, we corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one.

I do not speak to condemn you, for I have said ^(C1)before that you are ^(C2)in our hearts, to die together and to live together.

My ^(C1)confidence ^(F1)in you is great; my ^(C2)boasting in your behalf is great. I am filled with ^(C3)comfort; I am overflowing with ^(C4)joy in all our affliction.

For even when we came into ^(C1)Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were ^(C2)afflicted on every side: ^(C3)conflicts on the outside, fears inside.

But ^(C1)God, who comforts the ^(F1)discouraged, ^(C2)comforted us by the arrival of ^(C3)Titus;

and not only by his arrival, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted among you, as he reported to us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced even more.

For though I ^(C1)caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it—for I see that that letter caused you sorrow, though only for a while—

I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything ^(F1)through us.

For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a ^(C1)repentance ^(F1)without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.

For behold what earnestness this very thing, this ^(F1)godly sorrow, has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what ^(C1)longing, what zeal, what ^(C2)punishment of wrong! In everything you ^(C3)demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter.

So although ^(C1)I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of ^(C2)the offender nor for the sake of the one offended, but that your earnestness in our behalf might be made known to you in the sight of God.

Because of this, we have been ^(C1)comforted. And besides our comfort, we rejoiced even much more for the joy of ^(C2)Titus, because his ^(C3)spirit has been refreshed by you all.

Footnotes:  

Cross References:  

For if I have ^(C1)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 ^(C2)Titus proved to be the truth.

His ^(F1)affection abounds all the more toward you, as he remembers the ^(C1)obedience of you all, how you received him with ^(C2)fear and trembling.

I rejoice that in everything ^(C1)I have confidence in you.