12For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion of glorying on our behalf, that ye may have an answer for those who glory in countenance, and not in heart. 13For if we are transported out of ourselves, it is for God; or if we are sober-minded, it is for your sake. 14For the love of Christ constraineth us, because we judge thus, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15and he died for all, that they who live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him that died for them, and rose again.
16Wherefore from the present moment know we no man after the flesh: yea though we have also known Christ after the flesh, yet so henceforth know we him no more. 17Wherefore if any person be in Christ, he is a new creation: the old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18But all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19namely, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing to them their offences: and hath committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God exhorted you by us; we entreat you for Christ’s sake, be ye reconciled to God. 21For he hath made him, who knew no sin, to be a sin offering for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in him.
[CHAP. VI.]
WE then as labourers with him, exhort you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain: 2for he saith, “In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I succoured thee [102].” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: 4but in every thing approving ourselves as ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in straits, 5in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings, 6in purity, in knowledge, in long-suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, 7by the word of truth, by the power of God, with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left, 8through honour and dishonour, through evil report and good report: as deceivers, yet true men; 9as unknown, though well known; as dying, and lo! we live; as chastened, yet not given over to death; 10as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
11Our mouth is opened unto you, O Corinthians! our heart is enlarged. 12Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels. 13Let us have a like return; I speak as unto children; be ye also enlarged.
14Be not unequally yoked with infidels; for what participation hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what fellowship is there between light and darkness? 15and what concord of Christ with Belial? or what share hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16or what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, “I will inhabit in them, and walk about in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be for me a people[103].” 17“Wherefore go forth from the midst of them, and be ye separated, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean; and I will receive you[104], 18and I will be as a father unto you, and ye shall be to me for sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty[105].”
[CHAP. VII.]
HAVING therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2Give us a favourable reception: we have injured no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man. 3I speak not for your condemnation, for I have already said, that ye are in our hearts to die and live together. 4Great is my freedom of speech to you, great is my glorying over you: I am filled with consolation, I overflow with joy in all our tribulation.
5For when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side; without were fightings; within were fears. 6But God that comforteth the lowly comforted us by the coming of Titus: 7and not by his coming only, but also by the consolation wherewith he had been comforted among you, declaring to us your fervent desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced the more.
8For if I grieved you by a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that this letter made you sorry, though but for a season. 9Now I rejoice, not that ye have been made sorrowful, but that ye have sorrowed unto repentance; for ye have been made sorry in a godly manner, that ye might receive damage from us in nothing. 10For sorrow of a godly sort worketh repentance unto salvation never to be repented of, but worldly sorrow worketh death. 11For behold this very thing, that ye were made sorry after a godly manner, how great diligence did it produce in you! yea, what apologizing! yea, what indignation! yea, what fear! yea, what earnest desire! yea, what zeal! yea, what vengeance! In every step ye have approved yourselves as pure in this affair.