Paul Greets the Corinthians
(Acts 18:1–11; 1 Corinthians 1:1–3)

1Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the church of God which is at Corinth, and all the saints that are in Achaia:

2grace be to you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

The God of All Comfort

3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and God of all consolation; who comforteth us in all our affliction, 4that we may be able to comfort those, that are in any trouble, by the consolation wherewith we ourselves are comforted by God. 5For as the sufferings for the sake of Christ abound on us, so our consolation by Christ doth also abound. 6And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is wrought out by the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or if we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 7And our hope is firm concerning you, knowing that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so also of the consolation.

8For we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning our affliction which befel us in Asia, that we were exceedingly pressed above our strength, so that we despaired even of life: 9but we had the sentence of death within ourselves, that we might not trust in ourselves, but in God who raiseth the dead: 10who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver, in whom we trust that He will yet deliver us: 11you also assisting by prayer for us, that the favor obtained for us by the prayers of many might be thankfully acknowledged by many on our account.

Paul’s Change of Plans

12For this is our rejoicing, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and pious sincerity, not with carnal wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and especially towards you. 13For we write no other things to you, but what ye own and acknowledge, and I hope ye will always acknowledge. 14As ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your boasting, as ye also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus.

15And in this confidence I had a mind to come to you first, (that ye might have a second benefit,) and to pass by you into Macedonia; 16and then to come to you again from Macedonia, and by you to be forwarded on my way to Judea. 17Now when I intended this, was I chargeable with levity? or what I purpose, do I purpose from carnal motives, that with me there should be yea, yea, and then no, no? 18But the faithful God, He knows, that our word to you was not yes and no. 19For Jesus Christ the Son of God, who was preached among you by us, even by me, and Silvanus, and Timothy, was not yea and nay, 20but was yea in Him, (for all the promises of God are in Him yea, and in Him amen,) to the glory of God by us: 21but He that establisheth us as well as you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; who hath also sealed us, 22and given us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

23But I call God to witness on my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet to Corinth: 24not that we are lords over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.