2 Corinthians 1:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For we are not writing to you anything other than what you read and understand and I hope you will fully understand—

NIV: For we do not write you anything you cannot read or understand. And I hope that,

NASB: For we write nothing else to you than what you read and understand, and I hope you will understand until the end;

CSB: For we are writing nothing to you other than what you can read and also understand. I hope you will understand completely--

NLT: Our letters have been straightforward, and there is nothing written between the lines and nothing you can’t understand. I hope someday you will fully understand us,

KJV: For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end;

NKJV: 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

Paul appears to be defending himself against accusations that he lacked integrity, among other things. He has rejected this, insisting that he and his team have behaved with the Corinthians as they always do: with openness, integrity, and sincerity, by the grace of God. The main source of this complaint might be that Paul was unable to visit Corinth as soon as he had once hoped (1 Corinthians 16:5–9). Or, it may be that Paul had visited in between these two letters, but decided not to return, for reasons explained later.

Now Paul adds that everything he writes in his letters is straightforward and clear. He does not write with hidden meanings or secret agendas. He hopes that they understand what he writes and takes it at face value instead of looking for deception or ulterior motives or thinking he is using obtuse language to confuse and mislead them.

Second Corinthians 1:12–24 contains a defense against accusations. Apparently, some claimed Paul had acted without integrity, openness, or commitment to his stated plans to visit the Corinthians. Those were referenced near the end of his letter of 1 Corinthians. Paul insists that, especially with them, he and his co-workers have behaved with simple integrity and transparency, as well as sincerity. His change in plans has not been a case of frivolously saying ''yes and no'' to them at the same time. He has responded to the leading of the Holy Spirit and delayed his most recent visit for their own good.

Paul begins another letter to the Corinthians following a series of tumultuous events with them. He begins by praising God for His comfort to those who are in affliction, connecting Christian suffering to the sufferings of Christ. Paul insists that his suffering and the comfort he has received from God have been for the Corinthians' benefit. He defends both his integrity and sincerity in dealing with them and explains that he delayed his planned trip to visit them again for their sake.

Second Corinthians 1 follows about a year after the end of 1 Corinthians, and much has happened between the two letters. Paul has had a painful visit with the Corinthians before traveling to Macedonia, where he wrote a painful letter. The text of which has not been kept. He writes this new letter from Macedonia, as well, after learning about a positive change of heart on their behalf. Paul begins by praising God for His comfort for those who are afflicted and defending himself against several complaints from some in the church.

Second Corinthians returns to similar themes as those Paul mentioned in his first letter to this church. Paul is glad to hear that the church in Corinth has heeded his advice. At the same time, it is necessary for Paul to counter criticisms about his personality and legitimacy. Most of this text involves that subject. The fifth chapter, in contrast, contains comforting words which Christians have quoted often in times of hardship. Paul also details his expectations that the church in Corinth will make good on their promise to contribute to the needs of suffering believers in Jerusalem.

Accessed 5/5/2024 1:13:32 PM