When Paul received the Epistle, although he was then in chains on account of Stratonice[11], the wife of Apofolanus[12], yet, as it were forgetting his bonds, he mourned over these words, and said, weeping: "It were better for me to be dead, and with the Lord. For while I am in this body, and hear the wretched words of such false doctrine, behold, grief arises upon grief, and my trouble adds a weight to my chains; when I behold this calamity, and progress of the machinations of Satan, who searcheth to do wrong."
And thus, with deep affliction, Paul composed his reply to the Epistle.[13]
[Footnote 1: Some MSS. have the title thus: _Epistle of Stephen the Elder to Paul the Apostle, from the Corinthians_.]
[Footnote 2: In the MSS. the marginal verses published by the Whistons are wanting.]
[Footnote 3: In some MSS. we find, _The elders Numenus, Eubulus, Theophilus, and Nomeson, to Paul their brother, health_!]
[Footnote 4: Others read, _There came certain men, ... and Clobeus, who vehemently shake._]
[Footnote 5: Some MSS. have, _We believe in the Lord, that his presence was made manifest; and by this hath the Lord delivered as from the hands of the unrighteous._]
[Footnote 6: Others read, _To read the Prophets._]
[Footnote 7: Some MSS. have, _Therefore, brother, do thou make haste._]
[Footnote 8: Others read, _Fare thee well in the Lord._]
[Footnote 9: Some MSS. have, _The deacons Therepus and Techus_]
[Footnote 10: The Whistons have, _To the city of Phoenicia_; but in all the MSS. we find, _To the city of the Philippians._]
[Footnote 11: Others read, _On account of Onotice._]
[Footnote 12: The Whistons have, _Of Apollophanus_: but in all the MSS. we read, _Apofolanus_.]
[Footnote 13: In the text of this Epistle there are some other variations in the words, but the sense is the same.]
1 Paul, in bonds for Jesus Christ, disturbed by so many errors [2], to his Corinthian brethren, health.
2 I nothing marvel that the preachers of evil have made this progress.
3 For because the Lord Jesus is about to fulfil his coming, verily on this account do certain men pervert and despise his words.
4 But I, verily, from the beginning, have taught you that only which I myself received from the former apostles, who always remained with the Lord Jesus Christ.