C. The Apostles’ Boasting
1. Being One with Christ
a. To Spare the Corinthians
- For our boasting is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in singleness and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and more abundantly toward you.
- For no other things do we write to you than what you read or even know; and I hope that you will know unto the end,
- Even as also you know us in part, that we are your boast, just as you also are ours in the day of our Lord Jesus.
1. Being One with Christ
- And in this confidence I intended to come to you previously that you might have double grace,
- And through you to pass through into Macedonia, and again from Macedonia to come to you and be sent forward by you into Judea.
- This therefore intending, did I then use fickleness? Or the things which I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, so that with me there should be Yes, yes and No, no?
- But as God is faithful, our word toward you is not yes and no.
- For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you through us, through me and Silvanus and Timothy, did not become yes and no, but our word has become yes in Him.
- For as many promises of God as there are, in Him is the Yes; therefore also through Him is the Amen to God, for glory through us to God.
- But the One who firmly attaches us with you unto Christ and has anointed us is God,
- He who has also sealed us and given the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.
a. To Spare the Corinthians
- But I call on God as a witness against my soul that to spare you I have not yet come to Corinth.
- Not that we lord it over your faith, but we are fellow workers with you for your joy; for by faith you stand.
