THE SECOND EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS
In this Epistle St. Paul comforts those who are now reformed by his admonitions to them in the former and absolves the incestuous man on doing penance, whom he had before excommunicated for his crime. Hence he treats of true penance and of the dignity of the ministers of the New Testament. He cautions the faithful against false teachers and the society of infidels. He gives an account of his sufferings and also of the favours and graces which God hath bestowed on him. This second Epistle was written in the same year with the first and sent by Titus from some place in Macedonia.
2 Corinthians Chapter 1
He speaks of his troubles in Asia. His not coming to them was not out of levity. The constancy and sincerity of his doctrine.
1:1. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother: to the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints that are in all Achaia:
1:2. Grace unto you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
1:3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort:
1:4. Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we also may be able to comfort them who are in all distress, by the exhortation wherewith we also are exhorted by God.
1:5. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us: so also by Christ doth our comfort abound.
1:6. Now whether we be in tribulation, it is for your exhortation and salvation: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation: or whether we be exhorted, it is for your exhortation and salvation, which worketh the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer.