2 Corinthians 1:13-23

Paul's Change of Plans

13 For we are not writing to you anything other than what you read and acknowledge 1 and I hope you will fully acknowledge - 14 just as you did x partially acknowledge us - that y on the day of our Lord Jesus z you will boast of us as a we will boast of you.

15 Because I was sure of this, b I wanted to come to you first, so that you might have c a second d experience of grace. 16 I wanted to visit you e on my way to Macedonia, and to come back to you from Macedonia and have you send me on my way to Judea. 17 Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans f according to the flesh, ready to say "Yes, yes" and "No, no" at the same time? 18 As surely as g God is faithful, h our word to you has not been Yes and No. 19 For i the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, j Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but k in him it is always Yes. 20 For l all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our m Amen to God for his glory. 21 And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and n has anointed us, 22 and who has also o put his seal on us and p given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. 2

23 But q I call God to witness against me - it was r to spare you that I refrained from coming again to Corinth.

  1. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 2:5
    Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure - not to put it too severely - to all of you.
  2. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 1:8
    Who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
  3. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 5:12
    We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart.
    2 Corinthians 9:3
    But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be.
  4. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 9:15
    But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting.
    Philippians 2:16
    Holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
    Philippians 4:1
    Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.
    1 Thessalonians 2:19 - 20
    For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?
  5. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 4:19
    But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power.
  6. Cross References
    Acts 18:1 - 18
    After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.
  7. Cross References
    Romans 1:11
    For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you -
  8. Cross References
    Acts 19:21
    Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, "After I have been there, I must also see Rome.
    1 Corinthians 16:5 - 7
    I will visit you after passing through Macedonia, for I intend to pass through Macedonia.
  9. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 10:2 - 3
    I beg of you that when I am present I may not have to show boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh.
  10. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 1:9
    God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
  11. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 2:17
    For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.
  12. Cross References
    Matthew 14:33
    And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God.
  13. Cross References
    Acts 15:22
    Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers.
  14. Cross References
    Hebrews 13:8
    Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
  15. Cross References
    Romans 15:8
    For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs.
    Hebrews 10:23
    Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
  16. Cross References
    Revelation 3:14
    And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: 'The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.
    1 Corinthians 14:16
    Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say "Amen" to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying?
  17. Cross References
    1 John 2:20
    But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.
    1 John 2:27
    But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie - just as it has taught you, abide in him.
  18. Cross References
    Ephesians 1:13
    In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.
    Ephesians 4:30
    And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
  19. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 5:5
    He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
    Ephesians 1:14
    Who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
    Romans 8:16
    The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.
  20. Cross References
    Galatians 1:20
    (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!)
    Romans 1:9
    For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you
  21. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 2:1
    For I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you.
    2 Corinthians 2:3
    And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all.
    1 Corinthians 4:21
    What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.