Paul Greets the Corinthians (Acts 18:1–11; 1 Corinthians 1:1–3)
1 WBS Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia: BSB BSB: Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God in Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia:
2 WBS Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. BSB BSB: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The God of All Comfort 3 WBS Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all consolation. BSB BSB: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,
4 WBS Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them who are in any trouble by the consolation with which we ourselves are comforted by God. BSB BSB: who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
5 WBS For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. BSB BSB: For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.
6 WBS And whether we are 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 are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. BSB BSB: If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which accomplishes in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we experience.
7 WBS And our hope of you is steadfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation. BSB BSB: And our hope for you is sure, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you will share in our comfort.
8 WBS 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, so that we despaired even of life: BSB BSB: We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the hardships we encountered in the province of Asia. We were under a burden far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life.
9 WBS But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raiseth the dead: BSB BSB: Indeed, we felt we were under the sentence of death, in order that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God, who raises the dead.
10 WBS Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us : BSB BSB: He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. In Him we have placed our hope that He will yet again deliver us,
11 WBS 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. BSB BSB: as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the favor shown us in answer to their prayers.
Paul’s Change of Plans 12 WBS 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 manner of life in the world, and more abundantly toward you. BSB BSB: For this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in relation to you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God—not in worldly wisdom, but in the grace of God.
13 WBS For we write no other things to you, than what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye will acknowledge even to the end; BSB BSB: For we do not write you anything that is beyond your ability to read and understand. And I hope that you will understand us completely,
14 WBS 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. BSB BSB: as you have already understood us in part, that you may boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of our Lord Jesus.
15 WBS And in this confidence I purposed to come to you before, that ye might have a second benefit; BSB BSB: Confident of this, I planned to visit you first, so that you might receive a double blessing.
16 WBS And to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again from Macedonia to you, and by you to be brought on my way towards Judea. BSB BSB: I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia, and to return to you from Macedonia, and then to have you help me on my way to Judea.
17 WBS When I therefore was thus minded, did I use levity? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea, yea, and nay, nay? BSB BSB: When I planned this, did I do it carelessly? Or do I make my plans by human standards, so as to say “Yes, yes” and also “No, no”?
18 WBS But as God is true, our word towards you was not yea and nay. BSB BSB: But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.”
19 WBS For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me, and Silvanus, and Timothy, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea. BSB BSB: For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was proclaimed among you by me and Silvanus and Timothy, was not “Yes” and “No,” but in Him it has always been “Yes.”
20 WBS For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, to the glory of God by us. BSB BSB: For all the promises of God are “Yes” in Christ. And so through Him, our “Amen” is spoken to the glory of God.
21 WBS Now he who establisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; BSB BSB: Now it is God who establishes both us and you in Christ. He anointed us,
22 WBS Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the spirit in our hearts. BSB BSB: placed His seal on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a pledge of what is to come.
23 WBS Moreover, I call God for a witness upon my soul, that to spare you I have not as yet come to Corinth. BSB BSB: I call God as my witness that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth.
24 WBS Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand. BSB BSB: Not that we lord it over your faith, but we are fellow workers with you for your joy, because it is by faith that you stand firm.