World English Bible · Under Rome
2 Corinthians 12
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It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast, but I will come to and revelations of . I know a man in Christ who was caught up into the fourteen years ago—whether in the body, I don't know, or whether out of the body, I don't know; knows. 3I know such a man (whether in the body, or outside of the body, I don't know; knows), how he was caught up into and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in my weaknesses. For if I would to boast, I will not be foolish; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, so that no man may think more of me than that which he sees in me or hears from me. By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted excessively, a was given to me: a of to torment me, that I should not be exalted excessively. Concerning this thing, I begged three times that it might depart from me. He has said to me, "My is sufficient for you, for my is made perfect in weakness." Most gladly therefore I will rather in my weaknesses, that the of Christ may rest on me. Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, and in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong. I have become foolish in boasting. You compelled me, for I ought to have been commended by you, for I am in no way inferior to the very best , though I am nothing. Truly the signs of were worked among you in all , in signs and wonders and mighty works. For what is there in which you were made inferior to the rest of the assemblies, unless it is that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong! Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I seek not your possessions, but you. For the children ought not to up for the parents, but the parents for the children. I will most gladly spend and be spent for your . If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less? Even so, I myself didn't burden you. But you might say that being crafty, I caught you with deception. Did I take advantage of you by anyone of those whom I have sent to you? I exhorted , and I sent the brother with him. Did take any advantage of you? Didn't we walk in the same ? Didn't we walk in the same steps? Again, do you think that we are excusing ourselves to you? In the sight of we speak in Christ. But all things, beloved, are for your edifying. For I am afraid that perhaps when I come, I might find you not I want to, and that I might be found by you as you don't , that perhaps there would be strife, , outbursts of , factions, slander, whisperings, proud , or riots, that again when I come my would humble me before you, and I would mourn for many of those who have before now, and not of the uncleanness, sexual immorality, and lustfulness which they committed.
A public domain modern English translation, free to read and share. Notes and cards are EKLI’s own.
The world at this moment · Under Rome, 63 BC to AD 100 ›
Judea as a client kingdom and then a province. Roads, garrisons, taxes, crucifixion, and a common Greek language that let a message travel the empire faster than any before it.
- Rome
- The republic tears itself apart in civil war and comes out as an empire under Augustus. What follows is two centuries of relative peace across the whole Mediterranean, enforced by legions and paid for by taxes, with safe roads and safe sea lanes. Every one of Paul's journeys depends on that.
- Judea
- Governed first through Herod the Great, a client king of enormous ability and enormous brutality who rebuilds the temple into one of the wonders of the ancient world, then directly by Roman prefects. Crucifixion is the standard penalty for sedition and is used often and publicly.
- The wider world
- Greek is spoken from Spain to Syria, which means a letter written in Corinth can be read in Rome without translation. Jewish communities already exist in most major cities, which is where the first Christian preaching lands. Mystery religions, imperial cult, and philosophy all compete in the same marketplace.
- Further afield
- The Han dynasty rules China and trades silk westward along routes that touch the Roman world at second hand. In Britain the Roman conquest begins within a decade of the crucifixion.