WEBVTT 00:00:00.520 --> 00:00:03.700 Hello, this is Father Paul, and I'm glad we're 00:00:03.700 --> 00:00:05.740 taking this journey together to read the Bible 00:00:05.740 --> 00:00:09.279 in a year. Today we finish the second epistle 00:00:09.279 --> 00:00:12.279 of St. Paul to the Corinthians, chapters 8 through 00:00:12.279 --> 00:00:17.039 13. Chapter 8 Moreover, brethren, we make known 00:00:17.039 --> 00:00:19.339 to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches 00:00:19.339 --> 00:00:22.679 of Macedonia, that in a great trial of affliction 00:00:22.679 --> 00:00:25.300 the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty 00:00:25.300 --> 00:00:29.199 abounded in the riches of their liberality. For 00:00:29.199 --> 00:00:31.420 I bear witness that according to their ability, 00:00:31.640 --> 00:00:34.399 yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely 00:00:34.399 --> 00:00:37.799 willing, imploring us with much urgency that 00:00:37.799 --> 00:00:39.740 we would receive the gift and the fellowship 00:00:39.740 --> 00:00:42.899 of the ministering to the saints, and not only 00:00:42.899 --> 00:00:45.619 as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves 00:00:45.619 --> 00:00:48.200 to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. 00:00:48.439 --> 00:00:52.280 So we urged Titus that as he had begun, so he 00:00:52.280 --> 00:00:54.899 would also complete this grace in you as well. 00:00:55.200 --> 00:00:57.939 But as you abound in everything, in faith, in 00:00:57.939 --> 00:01:01.179 speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in 00:01:01.179 --> 00:01:03.859 your love for us, see that you abound in this 00:01:03.859 --> 00:01:07.140 grace also. I speak not by commandment, but I 00:01:07.140 --> 00:01:09.540 am testing the sincerity of your love by the 00:01:09.540 --> 00:01:12.120 diligence of others. For you know the grace of 00:01:12.120 --> 00:01:14.719 our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, 00:01:14.859 --> 00:01:18.019 yet for your sakes he became poor, that you, 00:01:18.120 --> 00:01:21.260 through his poverty, might become rich. And in 00:01:21.260 --> 00:01:24.560 this I give advice. It is to your advantage not 00:01:24.560 --> 00:01:27.680 only to be doing what you began and were desiring 00:01:27.680 --> 00:01:30.920 to do a year ago, but now you also must complete 00:01:30.920 --> 00:01:33.879 the doing of it, that as there was a readiness 00:01:33.879 --> 00:01:37.319 to desire it, so there also may be a completion 00:01:37.319 --> 00:01:41.299 out of what you have. For if there is first a 00:01:41.299 --> 00:01:44.019 willing mind, it is accepted according to what 00:01:44.019 --> 00:01:46.719 one has, and not according to what he does not 00:01:46.719 --> 00:01:49.650 have. For I do not mean that others should be 00:01:49.650 --> 00:01:53.189 eased and you burdened, but by an equality, that 00:01:53.189 --> 00:01:56.390 now at this time your abundance may supply their 00:01:56.390 --> 00:01:59.250 lack, that their abundance also may supply your 00:01:59.250 --> 00:02:02.609 lack, that there may be equality. As it is written, 00:02:03.030 --> 00:02:06.010 He who gathered much had left nothing over, and 00:02:06.010 --> 00:02:08.990 he who gathered little had no lack. But thanks 00:02:08.990 --> 00:02:12.110 be to God who puts the same earnest care for 00:02:12.110 --> 00:02:15.090 you into the heart of Titus. For he not only 00:02:15.090 --> 00:02:17.819 accepted the exhortation, but being more diligent, 00:02:17.979 --> 00:02:20.879 he went to you of his own accord. And we have 00:02:20.879 --> 00:02:23.500 sent with him the brother whose praise is in 00:02:23.500 --> 00:02:25.800 the gospel throughout all the churches, and not 00:02:25.800 --> 00:02:28.939 only that, but who was also chosen by the churches 00:02:28.939 --> 00:02:32.280 to travel with us with this gift, which is administered 00:02:32.280 --> 00:02:35.379 by us to the glory of the Lord himself, and to 00:02:35.379 --> 00:02:38.560 show your ready mind. Avoiding this, that anyone 00:02:38.560 --> 00:02:41.300 should blame us in this lavish gift which is 00:02:41.300 --> 00:02:44.319 administered by us, providing honorable things, 00:02:44.479 --> 00:02:47.039 not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in 00:02:47.039 --> 00:02:50.080 the sight of men. And we have sent with them 00:02:50.080 --> 00:02:52.840 our brother, whom we have often proved diligent 00:02:52.840 --> 00:02:56.520 in many things, but now much more diligent, because 00:02:56.520 --> 00:02:58.939 of the great confidence which we have in you. 00:02:59.080 --> 00:03:02.419 If anyone inquires about Titus, he is my partner 00:03:02.419 --> 00:03:05.300 and fellow worker concerning you. Or if our brethren 00:03:05.300 --> 00:03:08.360 are inquired about, they are messengers of the 00:03:08.360 --> 00:03:11.439 churches, the glory of Christ. Therefore, show 00:03:11.439 --> 00:03:13.939 to them and before the churches the proof of 00:03:13.939 --> 00:03:16.939 your love and of our boasting on your behalf. 00:03:19.599 --> 00:03:22.979 Chapter 9 Now concerning the ministering to the 00:03:22.979 --> 00:03:25.500 saints, it is superfluous for me to write to 00:03:25.500 --> 00:03:28.199 you, for I know your willingness, about which 00:03:28.199 --> 00:03:31.360 I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achia 00:03:31.360 --> 00:03:34.219 was ready a year ago. and your zeal has stirred 00:03:34.219 --> 00:03:36.900 up the majority. Yet I have sent the brethren, 00:03:37.099 --> 00:03:39.659 lest our boasting of you should be in vain in 00:03:39.659 --> 00:03:42.860 this respect, that, as I said, you may be ready. 00:03:43.199 --> 00:03:45.860 Lest if some Macedonians come with me and find 00:03:45.860 --> 00:03:48.780 you unprepared, we, not to mention you, should 00:03:48.780 --> 00:03:51.500 be ashamed of this confident boasting. Therefore 00:03:51.500 --> 00:03:54.000 I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren 00:03:54.000 --> 00:03:56.449 to go to you ahead of time. and prepare your 00:03:56.449 --> 00:03:59.229 generous gift beforehand, which you had previously 00:03:59.229 --> 00:04:02.530 promised, that it may be ready as a matter of 00:04:02.530 --> 00:04:05.069 generosity and not as a grudging obligation. 00:04:05.770 --> 00:04:09.370 But this I say, he who sows sparingly will also 00:04:09.370 --> 00:04:13.090 reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will 00:04:13.090 --> 00:04:16.709 also reap bountifully. So let each one give as 00:04:16.709 --> 00:04:20.829 he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of 00:04:20.829 --> 00:04:24.360 necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver. And 00:04:24.360 --> 00:04:27.079 God is able to make all grace abound toward you, 00:04:27.120 --> 00:04:30.199 that you, always having all sufficiency in all 00:04:30.199 --> 00:04:32.980 things, may have an abundance for every good 00:04:32.980 --> 00:04:35.800 work. As it is written, He has dispersed abroad, 00:04:36.120 --> 00:04:39.100 He has given to the poor, His righteousness endures 00:04:39.100 --> 00:04:42.339 forever. Now may He who supplies seed to the 00:04:42.339 --> 00:04:45.240 sower and bread for food, supply and multiply 00:04:45.240 --> 00:04:48.139 the seed you have sown and increase the fruits 00:04:48.139 --> 00:04:50.480 of your righteousness, while you are enriched 00:04:50.480 --> 00:04:53.639 in everything for all liberality. which causes 00:04:53.639 --> 00:04:57.060 thanksgiving through us to God. For the administration 00:04:57.060 --> 00:05:00.279 of this service not only supplies the needs of 00:05:00.279 --> 00:05:03.279 the saints, but also is abounding through many 00:05:03.279 --> 00:05:06.139 thanksgivings to God. While through the proof 00:05:06.139 --> 00:05:09.500 of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience 00:05:09.500 --> 00:05:12.199 of your confession to the gospel of Christ and 00:05:12.199 --> 00:05:14.699 for your liberal sharing with them and all men, 00:05:14.819 --> 00:05:17.740 and by their prayer for you, who long for you 00:05:17.740 --> 00:05:20.259 because of the exceeding grace of God in you. 00:05:20.649 --> 00:05:23.689 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift. 00:05:26.649 --> 00:05:31.089 Chapter 10 Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with 00:05:31.089 --> 00:05:33.149 you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, 00:05:33.410 --> 00:05:36.189 who in presence am lowly among you, but being 00:05:36.189 --> 00:05:39.389 absent am bold toward you. But I beg you that 00:05:39.389 --> 00:05:42.069 when I am present I may not be bold with that 00:05:42.069 --> 00:05:44.509 confidence by which I intend to be bold against 00:05:44.509 --> 00:05:47.829 some, who think of us as if we walked according 00:05:47.829 --> 00:05:50.480 to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, 00:05:50.660 --> 00:05:53.279 we do not war according to the flesh. For the 00:05:53.279 --> 00:05:56.439 weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty 00:05:56.439 --> 00:05:59.240 in God for pulling down strongholds, casting 00:05:59.240 --> 00:06:02.319 down arguments and every high thing that exalts 00:06:02.319 --> 00:06:05.199 itself against the knowledge of God, bringing 00:06:05.199 --> 00:06:07.379 every thought into captivity to the obedience 00:06:07.379 --> 00:06:10.980 of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience 00:06:10.980 --> 00:06:13.819 when your obedience is fulfilled. Do you look 00:06:13.819 --> 00:06:15.759 at things according to the outward appearance? 00:06:16.379 --> 00:06:19.220 If anyone is convinced in himself that he is 00:06:19.220 --> 00:06:21.920 Christ's, let him again consider this in himself, 00:06:22.180 --> 00:06:26.259 that just as he is Christ's, even so we are Christ's. 00:06:26.339 --> 00:06:29.439 For even if I should boast somewhat more about 00:06:29.439 --> 00:06:32.600 our authority, which the Lord gave us for edification 00:06:32.600 --> 00:06:35.300 and not for your destruction, I shall not be 00:06:35.300 --> 00:06:38.220 ashamed, lest I seem to terrify you by letters. 00:06:38.420 --> 00:06:41.759 For his letters, they say, are weighty and powerful, 00:06:42.019 --> 00:06:44.660 but his bodily presence is weak and his speech 00:06:44.660 --> 00:06:47.860 contemptible. let such a person consider this 00:06:47.860 --> 00:06:51.100 that what we are in word by letters when we are 00:06:51.100 --> 00:06:54.800 absent such we will also be indeed when we are 00:06:54.800 --> 00:06:58.199 present for we do not class ourselves or compare 00:06:58.199 --> 00:07:01.279 ourselves with those who commend themselves but 00:07:01.279 --> 00:07:04.160 they measuring themselves by themselves and comparing 00:07:04.160 --> 00:07:07.939 themselves among themselves are not wise we however 00:07:07.939 --> 00:07:10.759 will not boast beyond measure but within the 00:07:10.759 --> 00:07:13.160 limits of the sphere which God appointed us, 00:07:13.319 --> 00:07:16.800 a sphere which especially includes you. For we 00:07:16.800 --> 00:07:20.079 are not overextending ourselves, as though our 00:07:20.079 --> 00:07:23.120 authority did not extend to you. For it was to 00:07:23.120 --> 00:07:26.120 you that we came with the gospel of Christ, not 00:07:26.120 --> 00:07:28.680 boasting of things beyond measure, that is, in 00:07:28.680 --> 00:07:32.000 other men's labors, but having hope that as your 00:07:32.000 --> 00:07:34.899 faith is increased, we shall be greatly enlarged 00:07:34.899 --> 00:07:38.139 by you in our sphere. to preach the gospel in 00:07:38.139 --> 00:07:40.600 the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another 00:07:40.600 --> 00:07:44.220 man's sphere of accomplishment. But he who glories, 00:07:44.240 --> 00:07:47.759 let him glory in the Lord. For not he who commends 00:07:47.759 --> 00:07:50.860 himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends. 00:08:06.250 --> 00:08:08.910 that I may present you as a chaste virgin to 00:08:08.910 --> 00:08:12.629 Christ. But I fear lest somehow, as the serpent 00:08:12.629 --> 00:08:16.170 deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds 00:08:16.170 --> 00:08:19.110 may be corrupted from the simplicity that is 00:08:19.110 --> 00:08:22.430 in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another 00:08:22.430 --> 00:08:26.129 Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive 00:08:26.129 --> 00:08:28.470 a different spirit which you have not received, 00:08:28.860 --> 00:08:31.360 or a different gospel which you have not accepted, 00:08:31.699 --> 00:08:34.679 you may well put up with it. For I consider that 00:08:34.679 --> 00:08:37.320 I am not at all inferior to the most eminent 00:08:37.320 --> 00:08:40.360 apostles, even though I am untrained in speech, 00:08:40.620 --> 00:08:44.019 yet I am not in knowledge. But we have been thoroughly 00:08:44.019 --> 00:08:47.279 manifested among you in all things. Did I commit 00:08:47.279 --> 00:08:50.139 sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, 00:08:50.340 --> 00:08:53.240 because I preached the gospel of God to you free 00:08:53.240 --> 00:08:56.620 of charge? I robbed other churches, taking wages 00:08:56.620 --> 00:08:59.519 from them to minister to you. And when I was 00:08:59.519 --> 00:09:02.399 present with you and in need, I was a burden 00:09:02.399 --> 00:09:05.279 to no one. For what I lacked, the brethren who 00:09:05.279 --> 00:09:08.059 came from Macedonia supplied. And in everything 00:09:08.059 --> 00:09:11.360 I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and 00:09:11.360 --> 00:09:14.460 so I will keep myself. As the truth of Christ 00:09:14.460 --> 00:09:17.519 is in me, no one shall stop me from this boasting 00:09:17.519 --> 00:09:21.200 in the regions of Achia. Why? Because I do not 00:09:21.200 --> 00:09:25.059 love you? God knows. But what I do, I will also 00:09:25.059 --> 00:09:27.990 continue to do. that I may cut off the opportunity 00:09:27.990 --> 00:09:31.350 from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded 00:09:31.350 --> 00:09:34.610 just as we are in the things of which they boast. 00:09:35.029 --> 00:09:38.190 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, 00:09:38.429 --> 00:09:41.330 transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 00:09:41.570 --> 00:09:44.889 And no wonder, for Satan himself transforms himself 00:09:44.889 --> 00:09:47.980 into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great 00:09:47.980 --> 00:09:50.960 thing if his ministers also transform themselves 00:09:50.960 --> 00:09:54.580 into ministers of righteousness, whose end will 00:09:54.580 --> 00:09:57.639 be according to their works. I say again, let 00:09:57.639 --> 00:10:00.700 no one think me a fool, if otherwise at least 00:10:00.700 --> 00:10:04.220 receive me as a fool, that I may also boast a 00:10:04.220 --> 00:10:07.179 little. What I speak, I speak not according to 00:10:07.179 --> 00:10:10.620 the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence 00:10:10.620 --> 00:10:13.399 of boasting. Seeing that many boast according 00:10:13.399 --> 00:10:16.240 to the flesh, I also will boast. For you put 00:10:16.240 --> 00:10:18.879 up with fools gladly, since you yourselves are 00:10:18.879 --> 00:10:21.759 wise. For you put up with it if one brings you 00:10:21.759 --> 00:10:24.539 into bondage, if one devours you, if one takes 00:10:24.539 --> 00:10:27.679 from you, if one exalts himself, if one strikes 00:10:27.679 --> 00:10:31.240 you on the face. To our shame I say that we were 00:10:31.240 --> 00:10:33.919 too weak for that. But in whatever anyone is 00:10:33.919 --> 00:10:37.679 bold, I speak foolishly, I am bold also. Are 00:10:37.679 --> 00:10:41.120 they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So 00:10:41.120 --> 00:10:44.320 am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. 00:10:44.559 --> 00:10:47.659 Are they ministers of Christ? I speak as a fool. 00:10:47.899 --> 00:10:51.879 I am more. In labors, more abundant. In stripes, 00:10:52.159 --> 00:10:55.460 above measure. In prisons, more frequently. In 00:10:55.460 --> 00:10:59.340 deaths, often. From the Jews, five times I received 00:10:59.340 --> 00:11:03.240 40 stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten 00:11:03.240 --> 00:11:06.840 with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was 00:11:06.840 --> 00:11:09.820 shipwrecked. A night and a day. I have been in 00:11:09.820 --> 00:11:13.539 the deep, in journeys often, in perils of waters, 00:11:13.740 --> 00:11:16.840 in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, 00:11:16.940 --> 00:11:20.179 in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, 00:11:20.320 --> 00:11:23.139 in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the 00:11:23.139 --> 00:11:26.539 sea, in perils among false brethren, in weariness 00:11:26.539 --> 00:11:30.220 and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and 00:11:30.220 --> 00:11:33.980 thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness, 00:11:34.039 --> 00:11:37.259 besides the other things what comes upon me daily. 00:11:37.659 --> 00:11:40.620 My deep concern for all the churches. Who is 00:11:40.620 --> 00:11:43.340 weak and I am not weak. Who is made to stumble 00:11:43.340 --> 00:11:46.379 and I do not burn with indignation. If I must 00:11:46.379 --> 00:11:48.559 boast, I will boast in the things which concern 00:11:48.559 --> 00:11:51.620 my infirmity. The God and Father of our Lord 00:11:51.620 --> 00:11:54.799 Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that 00:11:54.799 --> 00:11:58.240 I am not lying. In Damascus, the governor, under 00:11:58.240 --> 00:12:00.879 Aretas the king, was guarding the city of the 00:12:00.879 --> 00:12:03.519 Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest 00:12:03.519 --> 00:12:06.480 me. But I was let down in a basket through a 00:12:06.480 --> 00:12:09.070 window in the wall, and escaped from his hands. 00:12:11.610 --> 00:12:15.250 Chapter 12 It is doubtless not profitable for 00:12:15.250 --> 00:12:18.409 me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations 00:12:18.409 --> 00:12:21.909 of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen 00:12:21.909 --> 00:12:24.730 years ago, whether in the body I do not know, 00:12:24.889 --> 00:12:27.389 or whether out of the body I do not know, God 00:12:27.389 --> 00:12:30.090 knows. Such a one was caught up to the third 00:12:30.090 --> 00:12:32.629 heaven. And I know such a man, whether in the 00:12:32.629 --> 00:12:35.610 body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. 00:12:36.080 --> 00:12:39.120 how he was caught up into paradise, and heard 00:12:39.120 --> 00:12:42.639 inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for 00:12:42.639 --> 00:12:46.200 a man to utter. Of such a one I will boast, yet 00:12:46.200 --> 00:12:49.720 of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. 00:12:49.940 --> 00:12:52.700 For though I might desire to boast, I will not 00:12:52.700 --> 00:12:55.919 be a fool, for I will speak the truth. But I 00:12:55.919 --> 00:12:58.360 refrain, lest anyone should think of me above 00:12:58.360 --> 00:13:01.779 what he sees me to be, or hears from me. And 00:13:01.779 --> 00:13:03.879 lest I should be exalted above measure by the 00:13:03.879 --> 00:13:06.340 abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the 00:13:06.340 --> 00:13:09.100 flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to 00:13:09.100 --> 00:13:12.840 buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning 00:13:12.840 --> 00:13:15.480 this thing, I pleaded with the Lord three times 00:13:15.480 --> 00:13:18.539 that it might depart from me. And he said to 00:13:18.539 --> 00:13:21.740 me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength 00:13:21.740 --> 00:13:24.220 is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, most 00:13:24.220 --> 00:13:26.799 gladly, I will rather boast in my infirmities 00:13:26.799 --> 00:13:30.000 that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore 00:13:30.000 --> 00:13:32.740 I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, 00:13:32.879 --> 00:13:36.179 in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for 00:13:36.179 --> 00:13:39.299 Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am 00:13:39.299 --> 00:13:42.559 strong. I have become a fool in boasting. You 00:13:42.559 --> 00:13:45.019 have compelled me. For I ought to have been commanded 00:13:45.019 --> 00:13:47.919 by you. For in nothing was I behind the most 00:13:47.919 --> 00:13:51.179 eminent apostles, though I am nothing. Truly 00:13:51.179 --> 00:13:53.360 the signs of an apostle were accomplished among 00:13:53.360 --> 00:13:56.659 you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders 00:13:56.659 --> 00:13:59.889 and mighty deeds. For what is it in which you 00:13:59.889 --> 00:14:02.409 were inferior to other churches, except that 00:14:02.409 --> 00:14:05.950 I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me 00:14:05.950 --> 00:14:08.990 this wrong. Now for the third time I am ready 00:14:08.990 --> 00:14:11.370 to come to you, and I will not be burdensome 00:14:11.370 --> 00:14:14.690 to you. For I do not seek yours, but you. For 00:14:14.690 --> 00:14:17.009 the children ought not to lay up for the parents, 00:14:17.190 --> 00:14:19.830 but the parents for the children. And I will 00:14:19.830 --> 00:14:22.990 very gladly spend and be spent for your souls. 00:14:23.309 --> 00:14:25.970 Though the more abundantly I love you, the less 00:14:25.970 --> 00:14:29.379 I am loved. But be that as it may, I did not 00:14:29.379 --> 00:14:32.379 burden you. Nevertheless, being crafty, I caught 00:14:32.379 --> 00:14:35.340 you by cunning. Did I take advantage of you by 00:14:35.340 --> 00:14:38.860 any of those whom I sent to you? I urged Titus 00:14:38.860 --> 00:14:41.600 and sent our brother with him. Did Titus take 00:14:41.600 --> 00:14:44.279 advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same 00:14:44.279 --> 00:14:48.000 spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps? Again, 00:14:48.059 --> 00:14:50.559 do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? 00:14:50.759 --> 00:14:54.200 We speak before God in Christ, but we do all 00:14:54.200 --> 00:14:57.200 things, beloved, for your edification. For I 00:14:57.200 --> 00:15:00.080 fear, lest when I come, I shall not find you 00:15:00.080 --> 00:15:03.000 such as I wish, and that I shall be found by 00:15:03.000 --> 00:15:06.679 you such as you do not wish. Lest there be contentions, 00:15:06.779 --> 00:15:10.279 jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, 00:15:10.980 --> 00:15:13.860 bag -bitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults. 00:15:14.279 --> 00:15:17.179 Lest when I come again, my God will humble me 00:15:17.179 --> 00:15:19.580 among you, and I shall mourn for many who have 00:15:19.580 --> 00:15:22.919 sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, 00:15:23.059 --> 00:15:26.100 fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced. 00:15:28.779 --> 00:15:32.720 Chapter 13 This will be the third time I am coming 00:15:32.720 --> 00:15:35.220 to you. By the mouth of two or three witnesses 00:15:35.220 --> 00:15:38.039 every word shall be established. I have told 00:15:38.039 --> 00:15:40.600 you before and foretell as if I were present 00:15:40.600 --> 00:15:43.120 the second time, and now being absent I write 00:15:43.120 --> 00:15:45.860 to those who have sinned before, and to all the 00:15:45.860 --> 00:15:48.379 rest, that if I come again I will not spare, 00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:51.259 since you seek a proof of Christ speaking in 00:15:51.259 --> 00:15:54.399 me, who is not weak toward you, but mighty in 00:15:54.399 --> 00:15:56.919 you. For though he was crucified in weakness, 00:15:57.179 --> 00:16:00.179 yet he lives by the power of God. For we also 00:16:00.179 --> 00:16:03.179 are weak in him, but we shall live with him by 00:16:03.179 --> 00:16:05.980 the power of God toward you. Examine yourselves 00:16:05.980 --> 00:16:09.240 as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. 00:16:09.580 --> 00:16:12.080 Do you not know yourselves that Jesus Christ 00:16:12.080 --> 00:16:15.039 is in you? Unless indeed you are disqualified. 00:16:15.320 --> 00:16:18.519 But I trust that you will know that we are not 00:16:18.519 --> 00:16:22.000 disqualified. Now I pray to God that you do no 00:16:22.000 --> 00:16:25.350 evil. not that we should appear approved, but 00:16:25.350 --> 00:16:27.990 that you should do what is honorable, though 00:16:27.990 --> 00:16:31.129 we may seem disqualified. For we can do nothing 00:16:31.129 --> 00:16:34.090 against the truth, but for the truth. For we 00:16:34.090 --> 00:16:36.509 are glad when we are weak and you are strong. 00:16:36.789 --> 00:16:40.370 And this also we pray, that you may be made complete. 00:16:40.870 --> 00:16:43.330 Therefore I write these things being absent, 00:16:43.570 --> 00:16:46.889 lest being present I should use sharpness, according 00:16:46.889 --> 00:16:48.929 to the authority which the Lord has given me 00:16:48.929 --> 00:16:51.990 for edification and not for destruction. Finally, 00:16:51.990 --> 00:16:55.789 brethren, Farewell. Become complete. Be of good 00:16:55.789 --> 00:16:59.309 comfort. Be of one mind. Live in peace. And the 00:16:59.309 --> 00:17:02.509 God of love and peace will be with you. Greet 00:17:02.509 --> 00:17:05.069 one another with a holy kiss. All the saints 00:17:05.069 --> 00:17:07.829 greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ 00:17:07.829 --> 00:17:10.309 and the love of God and the communion of the 00:17:10.309 --> 00:17:18.750 Holy Spirit be with you all. Ameen. I hope you 00:17:18.750 --> 00:17:21.119 enjoyed today's reading as much as I did. And 00:17:21.119 --> 00:17:22.960 I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow to 00:17:22.960 --> 00:17:25.220 continue on our journey. God bless you and have 00:17:25.220 --> 00:17:25.759 a great day.