Paul's Change of Plans

2 Corinthians 1

12 For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in 1 simplicity and o godly sincerity, p not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you. 13 For we are not writing any other things to you than what you read or understand. Now I trust you will understand, even to the end 14 (as also you have understood us in part), q that we are your boast as r you also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus.

15 And in this confidence s I intended to come to you before, that you might have t a second benefit - 16 to pass by way of you to Macedonia, u to come again from Macedonia to you, and be helped by you on my way to Judea. 17 Therefore, when I was planning this, did I do it lightly? Or the things I plan, do I plan v according to the flesh, that with me there should be Yes, Yes, and No, No? 18 But as God is w faithful, our 2 word to you was not Yes and No. 19 For x the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us - by me, y Silvanus, and z Timothy - was not Yes and No, a but in Him was Yes. 20 b For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. 21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and c has anointed us is God, 22 who d also has sealed us and e given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

23 Moreover f I call God as witness against my soul, g that to spare you I came no more to Corinth. 24 Not h that we 3 have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for i by faith you stand.

2 Corinthians 2

1 But I determined this within myself, a that I would not come again to you in sorrow. 2 For if I make you b sorrowful, then who is he who makes me glad but the one who is made sorrowful by me? 3 And I wrote this very thing to you, lest, when I came, c I should have sorrow over those from whom I ought to have joy, d having confidence in you all that my joy is the joy of you all. 4 For out of much 4 affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears, e not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you.

  1. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 2:17
    For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.
  2. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 2:4
    And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.
  3. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 5:12
    For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart.
  4. Cross References
    Philippians 2:16
    Holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.
    1 Thessalonians 2:19
    For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?
  5. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 4:19
    But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power.
  6. Cross References
    Romans 1:11
    For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established -
    Romans 15:29
    But I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.
  7. Cross References
    Acts 19:21
    When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, "After I have been there, I must also see Rome.
    1 Corinthians 16:3 - 6
    And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem.
  8. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 10:2
    But I beg you that when I am present I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
    2 Corinthians 11:18
    Seeing that many boast according to the flesh, I also will boast.
  9. Cross References
    1 John 5:20
    And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.
  10. Cross References
    Mark 1:1
    The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, th...
    Luke 1:35
    And the angel answered and said to her, " The H...
    John 1:34
    "And I have seen and testified that this is the...
    John 20:31
    But these are written that you may believe that...
    1 John 5:5
    Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who b...
    1 John 5:20
    And we know that the Son of God has come and ha...
  11. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 1:1
    Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
    2 Thessalonians 1:1
    Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
    1 Peter 5:12
    By Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand.
  12. Cross References
    Acts 18:5
    When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.
    2 Corinthians 1:1
    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:
  13. Cross References
    Hebrews 13:8
    Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
  14. Cross References
    Romans 15:8
    Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers.
    Romans 15:9
    And that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written: "For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles, And sing to Your name.
  15. Cross References
    1 John 2:20
    But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.
    1 John 2:27
    But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.
  16. Cross References
    Ephesians 4:30
    And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
  17. Cross References
    Romans 8:16
    The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.
    2 Corinthians 5:5
    Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
    Ephesians 1:14
    Who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
  18. Cross References
    Romans 1:9
    For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers.
    Galatians 1:20
    (Now concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie.)
    Philippians 1:8
    For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.
  19. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 4:21
    What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?
    2 Corinthians 2:3
    And I wrote this very thing to you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow over those from whom I ought to have joy, having confidence in you all that my joy is the joy of you all.
    2 Corinthians 12:20
    For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults.
  20. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 3:5
    Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one?
    2 Corinthians 4:5
    For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake.
    2 Corinthians 11:20
    For you put up with it if one brings you into bondage, if one devours you, if one takes from you, if one exalts himself, if one strikes you on the face.
    1 Peter 5:3
    Nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
  21. Cross References
    Romans 11:20
    Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear.
    1 Corinthians 15:1
    Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand.
  22. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 1:23
    Moreover I call God as witness against my soul, that to spare you I came no more to Corinth.
  23. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 7:8
    For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while.
  24. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 4:21
    What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?
    2 Corinthians 12:21
    Lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced.
  25. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 8:22
    And we have sent with them our brother whom we have often proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, because of the great confidence which we have in you.
    Galatians 5:10
    I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is.
    2 Thessalonians 3:4
    And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you.
  26. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 2:9
    For to this end I also wrote, that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things.
    2 Corinthians 7:8
    For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while.
    2 Corinthians 7:12
    Therefore, although I wrote to you, I did not do it for the sake of him who had done the wrong, nor for the sake of him who suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear to you.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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