1 Paul saluteth the Corinthians; 3 and blesseth God for the comforts and deliverances given him, not solely for his own sake, but for the comfort and encouragement of others also. 8 He telleth them of a deliverance he had lately had from a great danger in Asia, and expresseth his trust in God's protection for the future through their prayers. 12 He calleth both his own conscience and theirs to witness his sincerity in preaching the gospel; 15 and excuseth his not coming to them, as not proceeding from lightness, 23 but from lenience toward them.
1 Paul having shewn a motive of tenderness for not coming to Corinth, as also for writing his former epistle, 6 declareth himself satisfied with the censure inflicted on the incestuous person, and desireth them to forgive and comfort him, 10 as he himself had forgiven him in Christ's name. 12 His uneasiness for not finding Titus at Troas had caused him to go forthwith into Macedonia. 14 He blesseth God for the successfulness of his labours everywhere, 17 professing his sincerity and disinterestedness before God.
1 To do away with the imputation of vain glory, Paul sheweth that the gifts and graces of the Corinthians were a sufficient commendation of his ministry, 4 the efficacy of which he ascribeth entirely to God. 6 He proveth the superior excellency of the gospel ministry to that of the law; 12 and thereupon justifieth his plain speaking, as under a dispensation of greater light and liberty than that of Moses.
1 Paul declareth his unwearied zeal and integrity in preaching the gospel; 3 so that if any see not the truth of it, it must be owing to their corrupt hearts, not to want of clear light. 7 The weakness and sufferings he was exposed to redounded to the praise of God's power. 12 That which animated him in undergoing them for the church's sake was the assurance of a more exceeding and eternal reward.
1 Paul declareth that in assured hope of a blessed immortality hereafter he was indifferent to life, and laboured only to approve himself to Christ: 10 that knowing the general judgment that would follow, and the terrors of it, he was solicitous to persuade men: 12 that this was said not by way of boasting, but purely to furnish the Corinthians with a reply in his justification against false pretenders: 14 that moved by the love of Christ, he was become dead to all former regards; 17 and all things being now made new by God in Christ reconciling the world to himself, 20 he, as ambassador for Christ, besought men to embrace the offered reconciliation.
1 Paul entreateth the Corinthians not to frustrate God's grace: 3 setting forth his own inoffensive, painful, and patient, demeanour in the discharge of his ministry: 11 of which he telleth them he spake more freely out of the great love he bare them; 13 challenging the same affection from them in return. 14 He dissuadeth from any intimate connections with unbelievers. 16 Christians are the temples of the living God.
1 Paul exhorteth the Corinthians to purity of life, 2 and to receive him, who had done nothing to forfeit their esteem: 3 he repeateth the assurance of his love for them, and sheweth what comfort he had received in all his troubles from the report which Titus had brought of their good dispositions toward him: 8 so that upon the whole he did not repent of having grieved them a little by letter, considering the good effects which that godly sorrow had produced. 13 Above all he rejoiced to observe the good impressions which their behaviour, so answerable to his former boastings of them, had left in the mind of Titus.
1 Paul extolleth the liberal contributions of the Macedonian churches for the relief of the brethren in Judaea: 6 and recommendeth the same charity to the Corinthians, as well befitting their other graces, 9 enforced by Christ's example, 10 consistent with the alacrity they had already expressed therein, 13 and a precedent which might in time be of use to themselves. 16 He letteth them know the willingness of Titus to come and further this good work among them; and commendeth him to their love, together with the brethren, men of special worth, who were sent with him on the same errand.
1 Paul sheweth the reason why, though he knew the forwardness of the Corinthians, he had sent the brethren beforehand to make up their collections against his coming. 6 He stirreth them up to give bountifully and cheerfully, as a likely means to increase their store, 12 and as productive of many thanksgivings unto God.
1 Paul entreateth the Corinthians not to leave him cause to exert against them that spiritual power, with which he was armed, and meant to chastise those, who undervalued his person and apostolical character. 12 He pointeth out the difference between those, who for want of looking beyond themselves were arrogant and vain, intruding into, and taking merit from, the labours of others, and himself, who kept strictly within the province allotted him by God, and avoiding self-commendation, sought honour from the commendation of Christ.
1 Paul unwillingly entereth upon a commendation of himself, out of jealousy lest the Corinthians should be perverted by false apostles from the pure doctrine of Christ. 5 He sheweth that he was in all respects equal to the chiefest apostles; 7 that he declined being chargeable to them not for want of love toward them, but to cut off occasion from those deceitful workers of taking shelter under his example: 16 that he was not inferior to those, whom they so patiently submitted to, in any of their boasted prerogatives, 23 but as a minister of Christ, in labours and sufferings for the gospel's sake, was abundantly their superior.
1 Paul sheweth that, though he had been favoured with visions and revelations, 5 yet for commendation of his apostleship he chose rather to glory in his infirmities: 11 blaming the Corinthians, who had seen in him all the signs of an apostle, for forcing him to such vain boasting. 14 He telleth them of his design of visiting them again with the same disinterestedness and fatherly affection as before. 16 He justifieth himself from any crafty extortion by his messengers; 20 and expresseth his fears, lest, both to his sorrow and theirs, he should find many notorious disorders still not repented of among them.
1 Paul threateneth to vindicate his authority at his coming by punishing severely unreclaimed offenders. 5 He adviseth the Corinthians to try if they had as good proofs of their faith, as he trusted to have of his mission. 7 He wisheth that by a blameless conversation they might prevent him from using sharpness toward them, whatever became of his proofs. 11 He concludeth with an exhortation, salutation, and prayer.