IN HELL
You will lift up your eyes being in torment
Who is Jesus Christ really? And what did He really say about your Soul?
II Corinthians Study and Christ’s Teachings:
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WE ARE FREED FROM THE LAW BY THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST, FREED FROM THE RULES OF RELIGION, FREED FROM THE FALSE TRADITIONS OF MEN.
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God has Paul write a second Epistle to Corinth. Although much of the falsities of paganism were removed from these believers, there was still one man *unnamed, whom spread the mixing of keeping the Law of Moses with the LAW of Christ when these two are the opposites of each other.
The Law of Moses demanded obedience to every letter. If you break one, you have broken all. This Law was given to show us our sinfulness and our need for God’s Grace.
Christ’s Sacrifice abolished this Law in all whom believe replacing it with His Spirit to guide us to Christ’s Image. This is something the LAW could never do but they still lacked understanding because of the leaven of that one man.
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Remember Paul and his brothers in Christ whom traveled all of the known world spreading this Gospel message were weary and sick and injured from continuous persecutions, beatings, imprisonments and torture. But they still obeyed our Lord and taught them all things whatsoever Christ taught. BTW, that is what the entirety of the New Testament is about, Christ's Direct Teachings.
There were also still believers whom did not trust Paul because of his previous reputation.
Chapter 1:
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[1] Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:
**All the home and neighborhood churches were as one together in these regions but they all had their own elders within these homes.
[2] Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
[3] Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;​
[4] Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
**Correlate to the tribulation in the end days, the tribulation comes to His Church, His Body, His Bride before it comes to the wife of His Youth-National Israel. This is what God means here that all those who live Godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution:
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Throughout the last 2000 years all who lived Godly in Christ Jesus have suffered. The most documented (since they were not part of the Inquisition records of the dark ages by the Roman governmental "church") are the persecutions the first three centuries after Christ. Along with those endured in the centuries immediately following circa 333 AD.
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Rome stopped the spread of True, New Testament Christianity with their government sanctioned "church" making their perversion of "christianity" legal. This has forced the Lord's true Bride underground since, by in large. Those whom stood up to Rome in the 12 centuries which followed, were martyred for the Lord, this refers to the Inquisitions mentioned above. The govern-mentally protected "church" blossomed with many harlots after her. These all combined then became new persecutors of true believers in the centuries that followed the Protestant Reformation. In these end days, they will again be the persecutors when they turn on you whom do live Godly and refuse their mark, whom follow our Lord Christ Jesus in their hearts having overcame the world as our Lord did. In other words: Overcome the will of the flesh or the cares of this present life and die for His Namesake.
[5] For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
Remember this: Our consolation is in Heaven, our reward will be based on our suffering for His Namesake: ​Luke 6: [24] But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.
[6] And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
Our consolation is once again referenced to our level of suffering for HIM in this temporary life.
[7] And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.
All who suffer will receive equal reward.
[8] For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:
[9] But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:
[10] Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;
When the persecution gets really bad, do not waver for your consolation will be as equal and as great.
[11] Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.
**Those who pray for the brethren will receive a equal portion of their reward.
[12] For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
**They by God’s Grace and by the help of all those whom made supplication prayer for them to the Lord whom answered their prayers for the strength of courage of these brethren throughout their journeys in the known world spreading His Gospel and planting churches (groups of home, neighborhood churches).
[13] For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end;
*Keep His Word in your heart and set yourself to obey Him.
[14] As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.
[15] And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second benefit;
**The Lord wanted a follow up Epistle to go to Corinth because of all their falsities and troubles outlined in I Corinthians.
[16] And to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again out of Macedonia unto you, and of you to be brought on my way toward Judaea.
[17] When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay?
[18] But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.
​[19] For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.
[20] For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
This indicates that more false teachers had arrived in Corinth since the Lord had Him write the 1st Book. The "gospel" being falsely taught was that Christ's Teaching were just another way to God. Obviously this falsity ignored our Lord's direct teachings and made moot His sinless life, death, burial and resurrection for us. God is clear: Jesus is the Only Way, the Truth and the Life. This falsity claimed that the Gospel of Jesus was one way to eternal lie but not the only way. Of course these were hypocritical teachers of the Law.
[21] Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
**The last of the anointings or callings of God in this age and for the next near 2000 years.
[22] Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
[23] Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.
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*Paul had not yet made it back to Corinth but Timothy did, recall our study of I Corinthians.
[24] Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.
**Even God’s Chosen Apostle to the Gentiles understood fully that we whom follow the Lord Jesus Christ no longer have kings in the flesh, no longer look to men for anything. Our trust and growth in the Lord are their only personal goals of the heart in this present life by the Holy Breath of God's Spirit.
Chapter 2:
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[1] But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.
[2] For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me?
[3] And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.
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*Let’s encourage each other in the Lord, I do not want to follow rebuke with rebuke.
[4] For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.
[5] But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all.
**Meaning God did not want Paul to rebuke those whom remained following in the churches of Corinth because of the error of those who fell away, those people fell away on their own accounts. Apparently one man in question below was sowing false doctrine and some fell away from the group because of it.
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Further down this Epistle it is revealed that the false teaching mentioned by this man whom drew away many of the tares in Corinth was the mixing of Jewish Law with God’s Grace through Jesus Christ.
*The man repented but the damage had already been done to many:
[6] Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many.
[7] So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.
[8] Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.
[9] For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.
[10] To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;
[11] Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
**One of Satan's devices is division which he was sowing in Corinth.
[12] Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,
[13] I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia.
[14] Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
***Although the persecutions were great and Satan used the governments of the area to stop the spread of the Gospel, by God’s Grace they died to self and were still able to spread His NAME among the gentiles. When we die to this world system, we have overcome it and have the Victory through Christ for Eternity.
[15] For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
[16] To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?
***Whether people believe or not is not our purpose. God’s purpose for us is to preach the Gospel to them regardless of the outcome.
[17] For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.
***The works of the Law were done away with by Christ's New Testament in His Blood. These in Corinth were confusing following Christ with following the Law of Moses. Continue to preach the Gospel from the Scripture and avoid vain imaginations, few have ears to hear it so don’t be sad when they fall away.
Tares or outwardly religious people without the Spirit of Christ love their religion because it is "will worship and vanity".
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Chapter 3:
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[1] Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you?
*God does not want us to praise each other but to encourage each other. Although Paul’s second Epistle does not rebuke harshly like the first, it is not a letter of commendation either.
[2] Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:
*Those believers whom continued in Corinth to follow the Truth of Christ. Their faith is known and read of all men.
[3] Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.
*Even without a second Epistle the believers that remained in Corinth were growing in Grace.
[4] And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:
[5] Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
**We take no credit for your growth, it is all of God and we are simply His vessels to deliver His Truth.
[6] Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
***Jewish Law cannot be maintained and those whom follow it will perish.
Religious rules which the false teachers kept trying to deceive the flesh with and draw disciples to themselves. THAT IS ALWAYS WHAT FALSE TEACHERS WANT, THEY WANT NUMBERS TO LISTEN TO THEM, TO FOLLOW THEM AND NOT CHRIST.
These will pay the price for those souls they deceived.
Remember God gave the Law to show us our sin and inability to overcome sin. Without the Law there is no knowledge of sin. However, the attempted keeping of the Law to attain "righteousness" cannot never succeed as our Lord has clearly taught us.
[7] But if the ministration of death (The Law), written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:
[8] How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?
[9] For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
[10] For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.
[11] For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.
**Moses delivered the Law and it was glorious. HOW MUCH MORE GLORIOUS IS THE MESSAGE OF SALVATION THROUGH CHRIST?
Many continued confusion over the Law and Grace in Corinth.
[12] Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
[13] And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
[14] But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed and the New Testament is the Old Testament Revealed. The point is that the mystery of Christ and His Gospel was hidden in the Old Testament but revealed in the New Testament. Now God has revealed the Mystery through His Son. And Now God the Father Speaks only through His Son.
This is why you must understand clearly that we live by the New Testament and not the by the Old. This is why we must understand that everything we need to know according to God about the Old Testament is revealed in the New.
We have now the “Law” of Christ and do not follow the old Law.
[15] But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.
[16] Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
The vail over their hearts will be taken away if they put their FAITH only in Christ’s finished work for us.
[17] Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
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No longer are we foolish enough to think we can please the Lord by following LAW. We now have liberty without LAW to follow Christ in Spirit and in Truth.
[18] But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
**Now instead of our sad attempts to please God in the flesh, we have the indwelling Spirit which guides us and strengthens us follow Christ unto death JUST LIKE HE DID FOR US.
Chapter 4:
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[1] Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
[2] But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
[3] But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
[4] In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
**Remember at puberty every human born is then bombarded by Satan's world systems to keep them from the Truth of God and His Son.
[5] For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
**Just as our Lord became servant to all, we are to become servants to all in warning them of their judgment and their escape through the Gospel.
[6] For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
[7] But we have this treasure (The Gospel is committed unto us to preach to all others) in earthen vessels (us, this is how His Gospel is delivered, NO OTHER WAY), that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
**We have no miracles, no Ark of the Covenant, no prophets, no mighty men. God shows the world their folly by using the weak, the base, the despised of this world to deliver His Truth. As we preach, we become more and more abased and despised by the world.
[8] We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
[9] Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
[10] Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
**Our death to this world system and our willingness to die for Christ at any time.
[11] For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
We are to be little "Jesus'" in this present life showing His Truth and His death and His Resurrection through us to the world. Jesus did not regard his own life for others, just as we are to do from this day forward.
**We are to die to ourselves and live as our Lord lived, to spread His Gospel out of a pure heart wanting nothing for ourselves., never putting any stock into this fake world system and its fleeting rewards.
[12] So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
We die daily to this temporary life so that others may live for eternity. Just as our Lord did for us.
[13] We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
**True belief results in spreading the news and warning all others.
[14] Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
[15] For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
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It isn’t over when someone believes, that is just the beginning of their ministry for the Lord, their death to this life and the following of Him unto our physical death.
We give God Glory when we focus on HIS Reality of this world and this life and turn away from the false matrix of the world which Satan has created to blind the eyes of those whom are lost.
When we pray earnestly for the souls and growth of others. This is to the Glory of God of WHOM we believe completely in our hearts.
What is the Gospel we are to preach? Is it partial, is it just the first part? Nay my friends, we must preach what our Lord commanded us to preach. They will be saved if they have ears to hear the truth of the Gospel and we never count the costs of their belief for them. We don’t sell a prayer, we give them the truth.
[16] For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
**As we walk with the Lord daily our spirits are renewed even though these bodies suffer injury and death.
[17] For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
[18] While we 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.
Remember only faith without sight pleases God and gives Him Glory during this last time. This faith without sight confounds the world systems of Satan and those blinded by Satan's cultural & socieo-economic systems.
Chapter 5:
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[1] For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
[2] For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
[3] If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
[4] For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
**We groan for our redemption just like this planet does. We want out of here, we want to stop sinning in this rotting flesh, we want the perfection that will come from our resurrection and glorified bodies.
[5] Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
**This is the proof of regeneration. That we want to die to this world and its lies and live only for our Lord and Eternity.
[6] Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
[7] (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
Blessed are they whom having not seen, yet believed.
[8] We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
[9] Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
[10] For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
[11] Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
***We know that all whom reject belief on Christ will perish horribly. This is why we whom follow the Lord, follow Him unto death, even the death of the cross. Why? Because He did that for us and our eternal lives.
[12] For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.
[13] For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.
[14] For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
[15] And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
[16] Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. (Christ sits at the Right Hand of God the Father in Heaven)
[17] Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
**We separate from those whom are dead in trespasses and sins. We fellowship now only with those whom have the Spirit of Christ.
**All things are new and from a Spiritual perspective, focused only on the Savior and dying to self.
[18] And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
**He died so that we could live for eternity, we then are to die for Him so that others can live for eternity.
[19] To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
[20] Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
[21] For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Chapter 6:
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[1] We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
*Christian means follower of Christ
*Disciple of Christ means follower of Christ
*All believers are His Disciples. A follower observes all things whatsoever he is taught.
*He suffered, died and suffered again in hell for us.
*We are to deny this temporary life, die to ourselves so that we can save others following behind Him.
[2] (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
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***His Grace through faith without sight is here right now so obey it. This is what all the prophets have proclaimed and it is now the time.
[3] Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
[4] But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
[5] In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
[6] By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
[7] By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
[8] By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;
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Called deceivers by the world system but Absolutely True in God's Word which is all that matters.
[9] As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;
[10] As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
[11] O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.
[12] Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.
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*We give God’s Words to you and they prick your heart. It is up to you and you alone to follow the Lord with all your heart. It is now between you and God what you do with His Word.
[13] Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged.
[14] Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
[15] And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
[16] And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
**Remember His Kingdom now is in the hearts of each and every believer whom make up His Bride and His Body on earth until He Returns in Glory.
[17] Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
***Come out from them to warn and save them. Separate your hearts from this fake world system and warn all others of it. Separate yourself from your old life lived by the deceptions of the "god" of this world unto the Truth of God's Word.
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[18] And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
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Chapter 7:
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[1] Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
[2] Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.
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But the Corinthians did do these things, hence God's authoring of this Epistle to reiterate Christ’s Teachings.
[3] I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.
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We as followers of Christ are willing in our hearts to die for others that they may be saved.
[4] Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.
[5] For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.
[6] Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
[7] And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.
[8] For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.
[9] Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
[10] For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
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See our study on Godly Fear.
[11] For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
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**They repented of their falsities and followed our Lord’s Teaching due to these Epistles God wanted Paul to give them.
[12] Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.
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**In order to get this Epistle to you and visit you, we had to crucify ourselves for you. Remember all the suffering they endured in order to spiritually help these Corinthians.
[13] Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.
[14] For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth.
[15] And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.
[16] I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.
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They are growing now and Paul and his fellow-servants rejoice.
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Chapter 8:
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[1] Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit (bring you to remember Namely) of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
[2] How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
[3] For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
[4] Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
[5] And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.
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*They helped with earthly goods needed to those whom came to help them with everlasting life from the Lord.
[6] Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.
[7] Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.
[8] I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
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Some wanted more meat of the Word (they did not want to remain as they were as babes in Christ) and were progressing toward Christ likeness more than others.
[9] For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
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*Just as these men did for the Corinthians, they disregarded their safety and their comfort to help them find the Truth of the Gospel.
[10] And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.
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A year ago is when the first Epistle was provided by God to them and they were pricked and reproved by it and now many are following the Lord in Truth.
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[11] Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.
[12] For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
[13] For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:
[14] But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:
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**Now these believers whom have followed the Truth are to minister these Truths to others showing no regard for their lives in this temporary world.
[15] As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.
[16] But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.
[17] For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward (forward-looking to teach them more Truth and meat of the Word), of his own accord he went unto you.
[18] And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;
[19] And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:
[20] Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:
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*Apparently there were some whom thought Paul was holding back the Meat of the Word for some cities but providing more meat to Corinth.
[21] Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
[22] And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you.
[23] Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ. (Titus remained to continue their growth in the Lord).
[24] Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.
(Paul and his fellow-servants were rejoicing in the growth of those Corinthians and declaring this growth to other cities).
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Chapter 9:
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[1] For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:
[2] For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.
[3] Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:
[4] Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.
[5] Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.
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Bounty is like a reward. The believers in Corinth had been touted to others as growing in the Lord so Paul wanted them prepared to give earthly help to the preachers willingly or it has all been in vain (eye and lip service as the tares do).
[6] But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
[7] Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
Remember: Godliness with contentment is great gain for Eternity.
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Remember that this world is not real, everything about this world is not real. Stop clinging to it and put all faith in Christ. Beg God for increased faith to crucify this world in your hearts with its Godless affections and lusts of more, more, more.
[8] And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
[9] (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
[10] Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
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*When we help those truly teachings God’s Word, we are partakers of their reward also.
[11] Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
[12] For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
[13] Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;
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*The Corinthians wanted to help the evangelists spreading the Gospel and planting home churches throughout Macedonia. They were organized to raise funds and food for these preachers for the first time as a group.
[14] And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.
[15] Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
Chapter 10:
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[1] Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:
[2] But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
[3] For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
[4] (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
[5] Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
**Soon the wicked will see how God has worked throughout this age. Satan operates after the world system of strength and beauty and glamour and wealth. God however, works only through the base, the meek, the lowly, the despised people by these systems.
[6] And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
[7] Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.
[8] For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:
[9] That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.
[10] For his letters (the Epistles God gave Paul to give to us), say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.
Contemptible means against what they normally do according to the world.
THIS IS HOW GOD WORKS THROUGH MEN. THE MESSAGE IS ALWAYS POWERFUL FROM GOD BUT ALWAYS DELIVERED THROUGH THE WEAKEST OF MEN ACCORDING TO SATAN’S WORLD SYSTEM OF STRENGTH AND BEAUTY AND WEALTH AND GLAMOUR.
God’s use of Paul to rebuke the false teachings in Corinth goes against everything the world's systems teach about "wisdom". Satan’s world system judges everything based on appearances and traditions of men.
[11] Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present.
[12] For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
*These false teachers always compete against each other for more esteem, more glory from men, more earthy mammon.
*Do not look upon the proclaimed by men as Great men of God whom are not of God but of the world’s systems.
[13] But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.
[14] For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ:
[15] Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men's labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,
***We are not beautiful or great orators but we are the only type that God uses. Those whom have turned their backs of the worlds systems and the world’s mammon or the "Look at me" attitude. After all, "I must be of God because I am a great speaker and I look prosperous and wealthy".
[16] To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand.
*We don’t pretend to be great according to men or highly esteemed of men but we boast of God’s Power through us and all that God has accomplished in the spreading of the Gospel through us. However, we are but men of low estate according to the Satan's worldly standards.
[17] But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
[18] For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.
*Those whom boast of God’s use of them are always liars, because they boast of things seen by men. Their wealth, their looks, their oratory, their numbers of followers, etc.
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Chapter 11:
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[1] Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.
[2] For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
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* God’s message is that unless a corn or wheat die, it abides alone. But if it dies, it shall bring forth much fruit.
The falsity that God was correcting through Paul is that of those whom retain their esteem of men or use God’s Word to increase their esteem among men.
[3] But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
[4] For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
**Let God be True and every man a liar. If they come as angels of light with all the world’s systems and mammon than they are not of God but are of their own father-Satan.
[5] For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.
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*In his place in the world of men’s esteem, Paul was among the greatest but now chooses to follow Christ and become the lowly of heart and poor in spirit because He has the Spirit of Christ within him.
[6] But though I be rude in speech (his Words from God were contemptible before men because it reproved and rebukes their falsities), yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.
[7] Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?
*Remember the corn of wheat dies to ego, to esteem and to the falsities of Satan's systems.
[8] I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.
*Other believers helped fund their ability to travel to all of the known civilized world of their day. If they reject God’s Truth then it is as if Paul robbed others just to have God’s Word rejected by these fake believers.
[9] And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself. *Just because YOU won’t help spread the Gospel doesn’t mean it won’t be spread.
[10] As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia.
[11] Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth.
[12] But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.
[13] For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
[14] And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
[15] Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
[16] I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little.
[17] That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.
[18] Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.
[19] For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise.
[20] For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.
[21] I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also.
[22] Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.
[23] Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
[24] Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
[25] Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
[26] In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
[27] In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
**God never said we would be protected from Satan in this world. He said we must fight the spiritual fight with God’s Word against satan’s world. We will have to suffer for His Namesake.
[28] Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
[29] Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?
[30] If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.
**There is no promise from God concerning satan’s world systems against God’s People. He knows and wants us to be despised by the world. This is how He will recompense them later.
[31] The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.
[32] In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:
[33] And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.
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Chapter 12:
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[1] It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
[2] I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
[3] And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
[4] How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
[5] Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
**The Spirit of Christ within us teaches us what is important and the eternal weight of Glory awaiting us IS FAR SUPERIOR TO THE COMFORTS OF THIS TEMPORARY LIFE.
[6] For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
[7] And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
**It is God’s Foreknowledge that KNOWS His True servants will never receive esteem of men. This desire is now in us whom have the Spirit of Christ.
**Correlate to God’s 2 Witnesses whom declare God’s Day approaching but the world despises them.
**Do they come in expensive suits as the false do speaking lofty words about themselves?
[8] For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
[9] And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
**Remember context is everything: What was Paul just referencing before this passage?
These infirmities are not problems Paul had prior to His salvation and following of Christ. These infirmities are a direct result of the persecutions they received. Remember the list above and certainly realize that there were permanent injuries received in their following of Christ and in His Sufferings.
[10] Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
[11] I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.
[12] Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
[13] For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.
[14] Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
**Paul had to make distinction between God’s True Servants and those whom are fake. He wants nothing from them for His Preaching of God’s True Words. He only wants to fall to the ground and die to himself that he bring forth much fruit unto God.
[15] And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.
[16] But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.
[17] Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?
[18] I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?
**So many false teachers penetrated these believers churches, God used Paul to convince the believers in Corinth that His True servants are easy to spot. THEY WANT NO GAIN, NO FAME, NO NAME FOR THEMSELVES. They preach only God’s Word in purity without guile and extortion and deception.
[19] Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.
[20] For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: (Because of the leaven or falsities of the false brethren whom have snuck in).
[21] And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed. (Due to the false teachings of these false brethren. Whom think worldly gain is Godliness).
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Chapter 13:
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[1] This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
[2] I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare:
[3] Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.
[4] For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.
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*His true followers follow HIM in death to this world and physical tortures and death.
[5] Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
[6] But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.
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**Reject the gainsayers, the false teachers whom want the esteem of men, the mammon of unrighteousness and want to draw disciples unto themselves for this mammon’s sake.
[7] Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.
**Reprobates of their vain imaginations and traditions of men.
[8] For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
[9] For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.
[10] Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.
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God’s purpose for Paul was to rebuke and reprove any teachings that are contrary to Christ’s Direct Teachings. The false brethren hated the Truth and always do.
[11] Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
[12] Greet one another with an holy kiss.
[13] All the saints salute you.
[14] The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
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Question? GodBTrue@yahoo.com
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