2 Corinthians 7:5 When we arrived in Macedonia province, we couldn’t settle down. The fights in the church and the fears in our hearts kept us on pins and needles. We couldn’t...

7:5 MSG

逐節對照

The Message - When we arrived in Macedonia province, we couldn’t settle down. The fights in the church and the fears in our hearts kept us on pins and needles. We couldn’t relax because we didn’t know how it would turn out. Then the God who lifts up the downcast lifted our heads and our hearts with the arrival of Titus. We were glad just to see him, but the true reassurance came in what he told us about you: how much you cared, how much you grieved, how concerned you were for me. I went from worry to tranquility in no time!
新标点和合本 - 我们从前就是到了马其顿的时候，身体也不得安宁，周围遭患难，外有争战，内有惧怕。
和合本2010（上帝版-简体） - 我们从前到了马其顿的时候，身体没有丝毫安宁，反而到处遭患难，外有纷争，内有惧怕。
和合本2010（神版-简体） - 我们从前到了马其顿的时候，身体没有丝毫安宁，反而到处遭患难，外有纷争，内有惧怕。
当代译本 - 我们到马其顿的时候，身心无法安歇，面临着重重患难，外有冲突，内有恐惧。
圣经新译本 - 我们从前到了马其顿的时候，身体一点安宁也没有，反而处处遭受患难，外面有争战，里面有恐惧。
中文标准译本 - 实际上，我们以前到马其顿省的时候，不但身体得不到安宁，也处处受患难，外有争战，内有惧怕。
现代标点和合本 - 我们从前就是到了马其顿的时候，身体也不得安宁，周围遭患难，外有争战，内有惧怕。
和合本（拼音版） - 我们从前就是到了马其顿的时候，身体也不得安宁，周围遭患难，外有争战，内有惧怕。
New International Version - For when we came into Macedonia, we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within.
New International Reader's Version - When we came to Macedonia, we weren’t able to rest. We were attacked no matter where we went. We had battles on the outside and fears on the inside.
English Standard Version - For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear within.
New Living Translation - When we arrived in Macedonia, there was no rest for us. We faced conflict from every direction, with battles on the outside and fear on the inside.
Christian Standard Bible - In fact, when we came into Macedonia, we had no rest. Instead, we were troubled in every way: conflicts on the outside, fears within.
New American Standard Bible - For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side: conflicts on the outside, fears inside.
New King James Version - For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears.
Amplified Bible - For even when we arrived in Macedonia our bodies had no rest, but we were oppressed at every turn—conflicts and disputes without, fears and dread within.
American Standard Version - For even when we were come into Macedonia our flesh had no relief, but we were afflicted on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.
King James Version - For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.
New English Translation - For even when we came into Macedonia, our body had no rest at all, but we were troubled in every way – struggles from the outside, fears from within.
World English Bible - For even when we had come into Macedonia, our flesh had no relief, but we were afflicted on every side. Fightings were outside. Fear was inside.
新標點和合本 - 我們從前就是到了馬其頓的時候，身體也不得安寧，周圍遭患難，外有爭戰，內有懼怕。
和合本2010（上帝版-繁體） - 我們從前到了馬其頓的時候，身體沒有絲毫安寧，反而到處遭患難，外有紛爭，內有懼怕。
和合本2010（神版-繁體） - 我們從前到了馬其頓的時候，身體沒有絲毫安寧，反而到處遭患難，外有紛爭，內有懼怕。
當代譯本 - 我們到馬其頓的時候，身心無法安歇，面臨著重重患難，外有衝突，內有恐懼。
聖經新譯本 - 我們從前到了馬其頓的時候，身體一點安寧也沒有，反而處處遭受患難，外面有爭戰，裡面有恐懼。
呂振中譯本 - 雖然如此，我們的身體卻一點鬆息也沒有；就是到了馬其頓、還是這樣；相反的，我們倒凡事遭遇困難；外有衝突，內有憂懼。
中文標準譯本 - 實際上，我們以前到馬其頓省的時候，不但身體得不到安寧，也處處受患難，外有爭戰，內有懼怕。
現代標點和合本 - 我們從前就是到了馬其頓的時候，身體也不得安寧，周圍遭患難，外有爭戰，內有懼怕。
文理和合譯本 - 我至馬其頓時、身無寧處、隨在遭難、外有爭、內有懼、
文理委辦譯本 - 我素至馬其頓、身無寧處、屢遭顛沛、患生於外、懼存於中、
施約瑟淺文理新舊約聖經 - 我昔至瑪其頓、身不得安、多遇困苦、外有爭戰、內有恐懼、
吳經熊文理聖詠與新經全集 - 蓋吾儕抵馬其頓時、險象環生、不遑寧息、外有鬥爭、內有憂怖；
Nueva Versión Internacional - Cuando llegamos a Macedonia, nuestro cuerpo no tuvo ningún descanso, sino que nos vimos acosados por todas partes; conflictos por fuera, temores por dentro.
현대인의 성경 - 우리가 마케도니아에 갔을 때에도 우리 몸이 편치 않았지만 가는 곳마다 어려움을 당해 밖으로는 다툼이 있었고 안으로는 두려움이 있었습니다.
Новый Русский Перевод - Ведь даже когда мы пришли в Македонию, то не имели там покоя. Проблемы обрушились на нас со всех сторон: извне мы терпели нападки, а внутри нас одолевали страхи.
Восточный перевод - Ведь даже когда мы пришли в Македонию, то не имели там покоя. Проблемы обрушились на нас со всех сторон: извне мы терпели нападки, а внутри нас одолевали страхи.
Восточный перевод, версия с «Аллахом» - Ведь даже когда мы пришли в Македонию, то не имели там покоя. Проблемы обрушились на нас со всех сторон: извне мы терпели нападки, а внутри нас одолевали страхи.
Восточный перевод, версия для Таджикистана - Ведь даже когда мы пришли в Македонию, то не имели там покоя. Проблемы обрушились на нас со всех сторон: извне мы терпели нападки, а внутри нас одолевали страхи.
La Bible du Semeur 2015 - En effet, à notre arrivée en Macédoine, nous n’avons pas eu un instant de repos, nous avons connu toutes sortes de détresses : conflits au-dehors, craintes au-dedans.
リビングバイブル - マケドニヤに着いた時、私たちには少しの安らぎもありませんでした。外には四方八方に困難が立ちふさがり、心は恐れと不安でいっぱいでした。
Nestle Aland 28 - Καὶ γὰρ ἐλθόντων ἡμῶν εἰς Μακεδονίαν οὐδεμίαν ἔσχηκεν ἄνεσιν ἡ σὰρξ ἡμῶν ἀλλ’ ἐν παντὶ θλιβόμενοι· ἔξωθεν μάχαι, ἔσωθεν φόβοι.
unfoldingWord® Greek New Testament - καὶ γὰρ ἐλθόντων ἡμῶν εἰς Μακεδονίαν, οὐδεμίαν ἔσχηκεν ἄνεσιν ἡ σὰρξ ἡμῶν, ἀλλ’ ἐν παντὶ θλιβόμενοι— ἔξωθεν μάχαι, ἔσωθεν φόβοι.
Nova Versão Internacional - Pois, quando chegamos à Macedônia, não tivemos nenhum descanso, mas fomos atribulados de toda forma: conflitos externos, temores internos.
Hoffnung für alle - Als wir nach Mazedonien kamen, waren wir zunächst sehr beunruhigt. Überall gab es Schwierigkeiten: Wir mussten alle möglichen Anfeindungen ertragen und waren zudem selbst voller Angst und Sorgen.
Kinh Thánh Hiện Đại - Khi đến Ma-xê-đoan, chúng tôi bị khốn khổ đủ điều, chẳng lúc nào được an thân, bên ngoài phải tranh đấu không ngừng, trong lòng lo sợ hãi hùng.
พระคริสตธรรมคัมภีร์ไทย ฉบับอมตธรรมร่วมสมัย - เพราะเมื่อมาถึงแคว้นมาซิโดเนียเราไม่ได้พักกายเลย หันไปทางไหนก็ถูกก่อกวน ภายนอกมีความขัดแย้งภายในมีความหวาดหวั่น
พระคัมภีร์ ฉบับแปลใหม่ - เมื่อเรามายังแคว้นมาซิโดเนีย ร่างกายของเราไม่ได้พักผ่อน เราประสบความลำบากตลอดเวลา มีการวิวาทรอบข้างเรา และมีความกลัวอยู่ในใจ

交叉引用

2 Corinthians 12:20 - I do admit that I have fears that when I come you’ll disappoint me and I’ll disappoint you, and in frustration with each other everything will fall to pieces—quarrels, jealousy, flaring tempers, taking sides, angry words, vicious rumors, swelled heads, and general bedlam. I don’t look forward to a second humiliation by God among you, compounded by hot tears over that crowd that keeps sinning over and over in the same old ways, who refuse to turn away from the pigsty of evil, sexual disorder, and indecency in which they wallow.
Jeremiah 8:18 - I drown in grief. I’m heartsick. Oh, listen! Please listen! It’s the cry of my dear people reverberating through the country. Is God no longer in Zion? Has the King gone away? Can you tell me why they flaunt their plaything-gods, their silly, imported no-gods before me? The crops are in, the summer is over, but for us nothing’s changed. We’re still waiting to be rescued. For my dear broken people, I’m heartbroken. I weep, seized by grief. Are there no healing ointments in Gilead? Isn’t there a doctor in the house? So why can’t something be done to heal and save my dear, dear people? * * *
2 Corinthians 1:17 - Are you now going to accuse me of flip-flopping with my promises because it didn’t work out? Do you think I talk out of both sides of my mouth—a glib yes one moment, a glib no the next? Well, you’re wrong. I try to be as true to my word as God is to his. Our word to you wasn’t a careless yes canceled by an indifferent no. How could it be? When Silas and Timothy and I proclaimed the Son of God among you, did you pick up on any yes-and-no, on-again, off-again waffling? Wasn’t it a clean, strong Yes?
Matthew 11:28 - “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
1 Corinthians 16:5 - I plan to visit you after passing through northern Greece. I won’t be staying long there, but maybe I can stay awhile with you—maybe even spend the winter? Then you could give me a good send-off, wherever I may be headed next. I don’t want to just drop by in between other “primary” destinations. I want a good, long, leisurely visit. If the Master agrees, we’ll have it! For the present, I’m staying right here in Ephesus. A huge door of opportunity for good work has opened up here. (There is also mushrooming opposition.)
Acts 20:1 - With things back to normal, Paul called the disciples together and encouraged them to keep up the good work in Ephesus. Then, saying his good-byes, he left for Macedonia. Traveling through the country, passing from one gathering to another, he gave constant encouragement, lifting their spirits and charging them with fresh hope.
2 Corinthians 11:23 - I’ve worked much harder, been jailed more often, beaten up more times than I can count, and at death’s door time after time. I’ve been flogged five times with the Jews’ thirty-nine lashes, beaten by Roman rods three times, pummeled with rocks once. I’ve been shipwrecked three times, and immersed in the open sea for a night and a day. In hard traveling year in and year out, I’ve had to ford rivers, fend off robbers, struggle with friends, struggle with foes. I’ve been at risk in the city, at risk in the country, endangered by desert sun and sea storm, and betrayed by those I thought were my brothers. I’ve known drudgery and hard labor, many a long and lonely night without sleep, many a missed meal, blasted by the cold, naked to the weather.
2 Corinthians 11:28 - And that’s not the half of it, when you throw in the daily pressures and anxieties of all the churches. When someone gets to the end of his rope, I feel the desperation in my bones. When someone is duped into sin, an angry fire burns in my gut.
2 Corinthians 11:30 - If I have to “brag” about myself, I’ll brag about the humiliations that make me like Jesus. The eternal and blessed God and Father of our Master Jesus knows I’m not lying. Remember the time I was in Damascus and the governor of King Aretas posted guards at the city gates to arrest me? I crawled through a window in the wall, was let down in a basket, and had to run for my life.
2 Corinthians 2:3 - That was my reason for writing a letter instead of coming—so I wouldn’t have to spend a miserable time disappointing the very friends I had looked forward to cheering me up. I was convinced at the time I wrote it that what was best for me was also best for you. As it turned out, there was pain enough just in writing that letter, more tears than ink on the parchment. But I didn’t write it to cause pain; I wrote it so you would know how much I care—oh, more than care—love you!
2 Corinthians 2:9 - The focus of my letter wasn’t on punishing the offender but on getting you to take responsibility for the health of the church. So if you forgive him, I forgive him. Don’t think I’m carrying around a list of personal grudges. The fact is that I’m joining in with your forgiveness, as Christ is with us, guiding us. After all, we don’t want to unwittingly give Satan an opening for yet more mischief—we’re not oblivious to his sly ways!

逐節對照

交叉引用

The Message - When we arrived in Macedonia province, we couldn’t settle down. The fights in the church and the fears in our hearts kept us on pins and needles. We couldn’t relax because we didn’t know how it would turn out. Then the God who lifts up the downcast lifted our heads and our hearts with the arrival of Titus. We were glad just to see him, but the true reassurance came in what he told us about you: how much you cared, how much you grieved, how concerned you were for me. I went from worry to tranquility in no time!
新标点和合本 - 我们从前就是到了马其顿的时候，身体也不得安宁，周围遭患难，外有争战，内有惧怕。
和合本2010（上帝版-简体） - 我们从前到了马其顿的时候，身体没有丝毫安宁，反而到处遭患难，外有纷争，内有惧怕。
和合本2010（神版-简体） - 我们从前到了马其顿的时候，身体没有丝毫安宁，反而到处遭患难，外有纷争，内有惧怕。
当代译本 - 我们到马其顿的时候，身心无法安歇，面临着重重患难，外有冲突，内有恐惧。
圣经新译本 - 我们从前到了马其顿的时候，身体一点安宁也没有，反而处处遭受患难，外面有争战，里面有恐惧。
中文标准译本 - 实际上，我们以前到马其顿省的时候，不但身体得不到安宁，也处处受患难，外有争战，内有惧怕。
现代标点和合本 - 我们从前就是到了马其顿的时候，身体也不得安宁，周围遭患难，外有争战，内有惧怕。
和合本（拼音版） - 我们从前就是到了马其顿的时候，身体也不得安宁，周围遭患难，外有争战，内有惧怕。
New International Version - For when we came into Macedonia, we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within.
New International Reader's Version - When we came to Macedonia, we weren’t able to rest. We were attacked no matter where we went. We had battles on the outside and fears on the inside.
English Standard Version - For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear within.
New Living Translation - When we arrived in Macedonia, there was no rest for us. We faced conflict from every direction, with battles on the outside and fear on the inside.
Christian Standard Bible - In fact, when we came into Macedonia, we had no rest. Instead, we were troubled in every way: conflicts on the outside, fears within.
New American Standard Bible - For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side: conflicts on the outside, fears inside.
New King James Version - For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears.
Amplified Bible - For even when we arrived in Macedonia our bodies had no rest, but we were oppressed at every turn—conflicts and disputes without, fears and dread within.
American Standard Version - For even when we were come into Macedonia our flesh had no relief, but we were afflicted on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.
King James Version - For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.
New English Translation - For even when we came into Macedonia, our body had no rest at all, but we were troubled in every way – struggles from the outside, fears from within.
World English Bible - For even when we had come into Macedonia, our flesh had no relief, but we were afflicted on every side. Fightings were outside. Fear was inside.
新標點和合本 - 我們從前就是到了馬其頓的時候，身體也不得安寧，周圍遭患難，外有爭戰，內有懼怕。
和合本2010（上帝版-繁體） - 我們從前到了馬其頓的時候，身體沒有絲毫安寧，反而到處遭患難，外有紛爭，內有懼怕。
和合本2010（神版-繁體） - 我們從前到了馬其頓的時候，身體沒有絲毫安寧，反而到處遭患難，外有紛爭，內有懼怕。
當代譯本 - 我們到馬其頓的時候，身心無法安歇，面臨著重重患難，外有衝突，內有恐懼。
聖經新譯本 - 我們從前到了馬其頓的時候，身體一點安寧也沒有，反而處處遭受患難，外面有爭戰，裡面有恐懼。
呂振中譯本 - 雖然如此，我們的身體卻一點鬆息也沒有；就是到了馬其頓、還是這樣；相反的，我們倒凡事遭遇困難；外有衝突，內有憂懼。
中文標準譯本 - 實際上，我們以前到馬其頓省的時候，不但身體得不到安寧，也處處受患難，外有爭戰，內有懼怕。
現代標點和合本 - 我們從前就是到了馬其頓的時候，身體也不得安寧，周圍遭患難，外有爭戰，內有懼怕。
文理和合譯本 - 我至馬其頓時、身無寧處、隨在遭難、外有爭、內有懼、
文理委辦譯本 - 我素至馬其頓、身無寧處、屢遭顛沛、患生於外、懼存於中、
施約瑟淺文理新舊約聖經 - 我昔至瑪其頓、身不得安、多遇困苦、外有爭戰、內有恐懼、
吳經熊文理聖詠與新經全集 - 蓋吾儕抵馬其頓時、險象環生、不遑寧息、外有鬥爭、內有憂怖；
Nueva Versión Internacional - Cuando llegamos a Macedonia, nuestro cuerpo no tuvo ningún descanso, sino que nos vimos acosados por todas partes; conflictos por fuera, temores por dentro.
현대인의 성경 - 우리가 마케도니아에 갔을 때에도 우리 몸이 편치 않았지만 가는 곳마다 어려움을 당해 밖으로는 다툼이 있었고 안으로는 두려움이 있었습니다.
Новый Русский Перевод - Ведь даже когда мы пришли в Македонию, то не имели там покоя. Проблемы обрушились на нас со всех сторон: извне мы терпели нападки, а внутри нас одолевали страхи.
Восточный перевод - Ведь даже когда мы пришли в Македонию, то не имели там покоя. Проблемы обрушились на нас со всех сторон: извне мы терпели нападки, а внутри нас одолевали страхи.
Восточный перевод, версия с «Аллахом» - Ведь даже когда мы пришли в Македонию, то не имели там покоя. Проблемы обрушились на нас со всех сторон: извне мы терпели нападки, а внутри нас одолевали страхи.
Восточный перевод, версия для Таджикистана - Ведь даже когда мы пришли в Македонию, то не имели там покоя. Проблемы обрушились на нас со всех сторон: извне мы терпели нападки, а внутри нас одолевали страхи.
La Bible du Semeur 2015 - En effet, à notre arrivée en Macédoine, nous n’avons pas eu un instant de repos, nous avons connu toutes sortes de détresses : conflits au-dehors, craintes au-dedans.
リビングバイブル - マケドニヤに着いた時、私たちには少しの安らぎもありませんでした。外には四方八方に困難が立ちふさがり、心は恐れと不安でいっぱいでした。
Nestle Aland 28 - Καὶ γὰρ ἐλθόντων ἡμῶν εἰς Μακεδονίαν οὐδεμίαν ἔσχηκεν ἄνεσιν ἡ σὰρξ ἡμῶν ἀλλ’ ἐν παντὶ θλιβόμενοι· ἔξωθεν μάχαι, ἔσωθεν φόβοι.
unfoldingWord® Greek New Testament - καὶ γὰρ ἐλθόντων ἡμῶν εἰς Μακεδονίαν, οὐδεμίαν ἔσχηκεν ἄνεσιν ἡ σὰρξ ἡμῶν, ἀλλ’ ἐν παντὶ θλιβόμενοι— ἔξωθεν μάχαι, ἔσωθεν φόβοι.
Nova Versão Internacional - Pois, quando chegamos à Macedônia, não tivemos nenhum descanso, mas fomos atribulados de toda forma: conflitos externos, temores internos.
Hoffnung für alle - Als wir nach Mazedonien kamen, waren wir zunächst sehr beunruhigt. Überall gab es Schwierigkeiten: Wir mussten alle möglichen Anfeindungen ertragen und waren zudem selbst voller Angst und Sorgen.
Kinh Thánh Hiện Đại - Khi đến Ma-xê-đoan, chúng tôi bị khốn khổ đủ điều, chẳng lúc nào được an thân, bên ngoài phải tranh đấu không ngừng, trong lòng lo sợ hãi hùng.
พระคริสตธรรมคัมภีร์ไทย ฉบับอมตธรรมร่วมสมัย - เพราะเมื่อมาถึงแคว้นมาซิโดเนียเราไม่ได้พักกายเลย หันไปทางไหนก็ถูกก่อกวน ภายนอกมีความขัดแย้งภายในมีความหวาดหวั่น
พระคัมภีร์ ฉบับแปลใหม่ - เมื่อเรามายังแคว้นมาซิโดเนีย ร่างกายของเราไม่ได้พักผ่อน เราประสบความลำบากตลอดเวลา มีการวิวาทรอบข้างเรา และมีความกลัวอยู่ในใจ

2 Corinthians 12:20 - I do admit that I have fears that when I come you’ll disappoint me and I’ll disappoint you, and in frustration with each other everything will fall to pieces—quarrels, jealousy, flaring tempers, taking sides, angry words, vicious rumors, swelled heads, and general bedlam. I don’t look forward to a second humiliation by God among you, compounded by hot tears over that crowd that keeps sinning over and over in the same old ways, who refuse to turn away from the pigsty of evil, sexual disorder, and indecency in which they wallow.
Jeremiah 8:18 - I drown in grief. I’m heartsick. Oh, listen! Please listen! It’s the cry of my dear people reverberating through the country. Is God no longer in Zion? Has the King gone away? Can you tell me why they flaunt their plaything-gods, their silly, imported no-gods before me? The crops are in, the summer is over, but for us nothing’s changed. We’re still waiting to be rescued. For my dear broken people, I’m heartbroken. I weep, seized by grief. Are there no healing ointments in Gilead? Isn’t there a doctor in the house? So why can’t something be done to heal and save my dear, dear people? * * *
2 Corinthians 1:17 - Are you now going to accuse me of flip-flopping with my promises because it didn’t work out? Do you think I talk out of both sides of my mouth—a glib yes one moment, a glib no the next? Well, you’re wrong. I try to be as true to my word as God is to his. Our word to you wasn’t a careless yes canceled by an indifferent no. How could it be? When Silas and Timothy and I proclaimed the Son of God among you, did you pick up on any yes-and-no, on-again, off-again waffling? Wasn’t it a clean, strong Yes?
Matthew 11:28 - “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
1 Corinthians 16:5 - I plan to visit you after passing through northern Greece. I won’t be staying long there, but maybe I can stay awhile with you—maybe even spend the winter? Then you could give me a good send-off, wherever I may be headed next. I don’t want to just drop by in between other “primary” destinations. I want a good, long, leisurely visit. If the Master agrees, we’ll have it! For the present, I’m staying right here in Ephesus. A huge door of opportunity for good work has opened up here. (There is also mushrooming opposition.)
Acts 20:1 - With things back to normal, Paul called the disciples together and encouraged them to keep up the good work in Ephesus. Then, saying his good-byes, he left for Macedonia. Traveling through the country, passing from one gathering to another, he gave constant encouragement, lifting their spirits and charging them with fresh hope.
2 Corinthians 11:23 - I’ve worked much harder, been jailed more often, beaten up more times than I can count, and at death’s door time after time. I’ve been flogged five times with the Jews’ thirty-nine lashes, beaten by Roman rods three times, pummeled with rocks once. I’ve been shipwrecked three times, and immersed in the open sea for a night and a day. In hard traveling year in and year out, I’ve had to ford rivers, fend off robbers, struggle with friends, struggle with foes. I’ve been at risk in the city, at risk in the country, endangered by desert sun and sea storm, and betrayed by those I thought were my brothers. I’ve known drudgery and hard labor, many a long and lonely night without sleep, many a missed meal, blasted by the cold, naked to the weather.
2 Corinthians 11:28 - And that’s not the half of it, when you throw in the daily pressures and anxieties of all the churches. When someone gets to the end of his rope, I feel the desperation in my bones. When someone is duped into sin, an angry fire burns in my gut.
2 Corinthians 11:30 - If I have to “brag” about myself, I’ll brag about the humiliations that make me like Jesus. The eternal and blessed God and Father of our Master Jesus knows I’m not lying. Remember the time I was in Damascus and the governor of King Aretas posted guards at the city gates to arrest me? I crawled through a window in the wall, was let down in a basket, and had to run for my life.
2 Corinthians 2:3 - That was my reason for writing a letter instead of coming—so I wouldn’t have to spend a miserable time disappointing the very friends I had looked forward to cheering me up. I was convinced at the time I wrote it that what was best for me was also best for you. As it turned out, there was pain enough just in writing that letter, more tears than ink on the parchment. But I didn’t write it to cause pain; I wrote it so you would know how much I care—oh, more than care—love you!
2 Corinthians 2:9 - The focus of my letter wasn’t on punishing the offender but on getting you to take responsibility for the health of the church. So if you forgive him, I forgive him. Don’t think I’m carrying around a list of personal grudges. The fact is that I’m joining in with your forgiveness, as Christ is with us, guiding us. After all, we don’t want to unwittingly give Satan an opening for yet more mischief—we’re not oblivious to his sly ways!