Passage Resources Hebrew/Greek Your Content
Previous Next
Add parallel Print Page Options
Close ASV

2 Corinthians 4-6
American Standard Version

4 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we faint not: 2 but we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our [a]gospel is veiled, it is veiled in them that [b]perish: 4 in whom the god of this [c]world hath blinded the [d]minds of the unbelieving, [e]that the [f]light of the [g]gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn upon them. 5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your [h]servants [i]for Jesus’ sake. 6 Seeing it is God, that said, [j]Light shall shine out of darkness, who shined in our hearts, to give the [k]light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves; 8 we are pressed on every side, yet not straitened; perplexed, yet not unto despair; 9 pursued, yet not [l]forsaken; smitten down, yet not destroyed; 10 always bearing about in the body the [m]dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you. 13 But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, [n]I believed, and therefore did I speak; we also believe, and therefore also we speak; 14 knowing that he that raised up [o]the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also with Jesus, and shall present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied through [p]the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound unto the glory of God.

16 Wherefore we faint not; but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is for the moment, worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory; 18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

5 For we know that if the earthly house of our [q]tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens. 2 For verily in this we groan, longing to be clothed upon with our habitation which is from heaven: 3 if so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 4 For indeed we that are in this [r]tabernacle do groan, [s]being burdened; not for that we would be unclothed, but that we would be clothed upon, that what is mortal may be swallowed up of life. 5 Now he that wrought us for this very thing is God, who gave unto us the earnest of the Spirit. 6 Being therefore always of good courage, and knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord 7 (for we walk by faith, not by [t]sight); 8 we are of good courage, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord. 9 Wherefore also we [u]make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be well-pleasing unto him. 10 For we must all be made manifest before the judgment-seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things done [v]in the body, according to what he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

11 Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest unto God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences. 12 We are not again commending ourselves unto you, but speak as giving you occasion of glorying on our behalf, that ye may have wherewith to answer them that glory in appearance, and not in heart. 13 For whether we [w]are beside ourselves, it is unto God; or whether we are of sober mind, it is unto you. 14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15 and he died for all, that they that live should no longer live unto themselves, but unto him who for their sakes died and rose again. 16 Wherefore we henceforth know no man after the flesh: even though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now we know him so no more. 17 Wherefore if any man is in Christ, [x]he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new. 18 But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave unto us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 to wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not reckoning unto them their trespasses, and having [y]committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

20 We are ambassadors therefore on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beseech you on behalf of Christ, be ye reconciled to God. 21 Him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in him. 6 1 And working together with him we entreat also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain 2 (for he saith,

[z]At an acceptable time I hearkened unto thee,
And in a day of salvation did I succor thee:

behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation): 3 giving no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our ministration be not blamed; 4 but in everything commending ourselves, as ministers of God, in much [aa]patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, 5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings; 6 in pureness, in knowledge, in longsuffering, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in love unfeigned, 7 in the word of truth, in the power of God; [ab]by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8 by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

11 Our mouth is open unto you, O Corinthians, our heart is enlarged. 12 Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own affections. 13 Now for a recompense in like kind (I speak as unto my children), be ye also enlarged. 14 Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? or what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with [ac]Belial? or what portion hath a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement hath a [ad]temple of God with idols? for we are a [ae]temple of the living God; even as God said, [af]I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore

[ag]Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate,

saith the Lord,

And touch no unclean thing;
And I will receive you,
18 [ah]And will be to you a Father,
And ye shall be to me sons and daughters,

saith the Lord Almighty.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 4:3 See marginal note on 2:12.
  2. 2 Corinthians 4:3 Or, are perishing
  3. 2 Corinthians 4:4 Or, age
  4. 2 Corinthians 4:4 Greek thoughts.
  5. 2 Corinthians 4:4 Or, that they should not see the light . . . image of God
  6. 2 Corinthians 4:4 Greek illumination.
  7. 2 Corinthians 4:4 See marginal note on 2:12.
  8. 2 Corinthians 4:5 Greek bondservants. Compare 1 Cor. 9:19.
  9. 2 Corinthians 4:5 Some ancient authorities read through Jesus.
  10. 2 Corinthians 4:6 Gen. 1:3.
  11. 2 Corinthians 4:6 Greek illumination.
  12. 2 Corinthians 4:9 Or, left behind
  13. 2 Corinthians 4:10 Greek putting to death.
  14. 2 Corinthians 4:13 Ps. 116:10.
  15. 2 Corinthians 4:14 Some ancient authorities omit the Lord.
  16. 2 Corinthians 4:15 Greek the more.
  17. 2 Corinthians 5:1 Or, bodily frame. Compare Wisd. 9:15.
  18. 2 Corinthians 5:4 Or, bodily frame. Compare Wisd. 9:15.
  19. 2 Corinthians 5:4 Or, being burdened, in that we would not be unclothed, but would be clothed upon
  20. 2 Corinthians 5:7 Greek appearance.
  21. 2 Corinthians 5:9 Greek are ambitious. See Rom. 15:20 margin.
  22. 2 Corinthians 5:10 Greek through.
  23. 2 Corinthians 5:13 Or, were
  24. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Or, there is a new creation
  25. 2 Corinthians 5:19 Or, placed in us
  26. 2 Corinthians 6:2 Isa. 49:8.
  27. 2 Corinthians 6:4 Or, stedfastness
  28. 2 Corinthians 6:7 Greek through.
  29. 2 Corinthians 6:15 Greek Beliar.
  30. 2 Corinthians 6:16 Or, sanctuary
  31. 2 Corinthians 6:16 Or, sanctuary
  32. 2 Corinthians 6:16 Lev. 26:12; Ex. 29:45; Ezek. 37:27; Jer. 31:1.
  33. 2 Corinthians 6:17 Isa. 52:11.
  34. 2 Corinthians 6:18 Hos. 1:10; Isa. 43:6.
Listen to 2 Corinthians 4-6
Close NIV

2 Corinthians 4-6
New International Version

Present Weakness and Resurrection Life

4 Therefore, since through God’s mercy(A) we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.(B) 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways;(C) we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God.(D) On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience(E) in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel(F) is veiled,(G) it is veiled to those who are perishing.(H) 4 The god(I) of this age(J) has blinded(K) the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ,(L) who is the image of God.(M) 5 For what we preach is not ourselves,(N) but Jesus Christ as Lord,(O) and ourselves as your servants(P) for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”[a](Q) made his light shine in our hearts(R) to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.(S)

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay(T) to show that this all-surpassing power is from God(U) and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side,(V) but not crushed; perplexed,(W) but not in despair; 9 persecuted,(X) but not abandoned;(Y) struck down, but not destroyed.(Z) 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus,(AA) so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.(AB) 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake,(AC) so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.(AD)

13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.”[b](AE) Since we have that same spirit of[c] faith,(AF) we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead(AG) will also raise us with Jesus(AH) and present us with you to himself.(AI) 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving(AJ) to overflow to the glory of God.

16 Therefore we do not lose heart.(AK) Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly(AL) we are being renewed(AM) day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.(AN) 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen,(AO) since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Awaiting the New Body

5 For we know that if the earthly(AP) tent(AQ) we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan,(AR) longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling,(AS) 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan(AT) and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling,(AU) so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.(AV)

6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight.(AW) 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.(AX) 9 So we make it our goal to please him,(AY) whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us(AZ) for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

The Ministry of Reconciliation

11 Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord,(BA) we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.(BB) 12 We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again,(BC) but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us,(BD) so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. 13 If we are “out of our mind,”(BE) as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.(BF) 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves(BG) but for him who died for them(BH) and was raised again.

16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly(BI) point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,(BJ) the new creation(BK) has come:[d] The old has gone, the new is here!(BL) 18 All this is from God,(BM) who reconciled us to himself through Christ(BN) and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.(BO) And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors,(BP) as though God were making his appeal through us.(BQ) We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.(BR) 21 God made him who had no sin(BS) to be sin[e] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.(BT)

6 As God’s co-workers(BU) we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.(BV) 2 For he says,

“In the time of my favor I heard you,
    and in the day of salvation I helped you.”[f](BW)

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

Paul’s Hardships

3 We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path,(BX) so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5 in beatings, imprisonments(BY) and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger;(BZ) 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit(CA) and in sincere love;(CB) 7 in truthful speech(CC) and in the power of God;(CD) with weapons of righteousness(CE) in the right hand and in the left; 8 through glory and dishonor,(CF) bad report(CG) and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors;(CH) 9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying,(CI) and yet we live on;(CJ) beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;(CK) poor, yet making many rich;(CL) having nothing,(CM) and yet possessing everything.(CN)

11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you.(CO) 12 We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. 13 As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children(CP)—open wide your hearts(CQ) also.

Warning Against Idolatry

14 Do not be yoked together(CR) with unbelievers.(CS) For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?(CT) 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial[g]?(CU) Or what does a believer(CV) have in common with an unbeliever?(CW) 16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?(CX) For we are the temple(CY) of the living God.(CZ) As God has said:

“I will live with them
    and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
    and they will be my people.”[h](DA)

17 Therefore,

“Come out from them(DB)
    and be separate,
says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
    and I will receive you.”[i](DC)

18 And,

“I will be a Father to you,
    and you will be my sons and daughters,(DD)
says the Lord Almighty.”[j](DE)

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 4:6 Gen. 1:3
  2. 2 Corinthians 4:13 Psalm 116:10 (see Septuagint)
  3. 2 Corinthians 4:13 Or Spirit-given
  4. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Or Christ, that person is a new creation.
  5. 2 Corinthians 5:21 Or be a sin offering
  6. 2 Corinthians 6:2 Isaiah 49:8
  7. 2 Corinthians 6:15 Greek Beliar, a variant of Belial
  8. 2 Corinthians 6:16 Lev. 26:12; Jer. 32:38; Ezek. 37:27
  9. 2 Corinthians 6:17 Isaiah 52:11; Ezek. 20:34,41
  10. 2 Corinthians 6:18 2 Samuel 7:14; 7:8
Next
2 Corinthians 3
2 Corinthians 7
Next
dropdown
American Standard Version (ASV)

Public Domain (Why are modern Bible translations copyrighted?)

New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.

July Summer Surge

More on the NIV