Study Desk

your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be a fair balance.

But thanks be to God who put in the heart of Titus the same eagerness for you that I myself have.

For he not only accepted our appeal, but since he is more eager than ever, he is going to you of his own accord.

With him we are sending the brother who is famous among all the churches for his proclaiming the good news;

and not only that, but he has also been appointed by the churches to travel with us while we are administering this generous undertaking for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our goodwill.

for we intend to do what is right not only in the Lord's sight but also in the sight of others.

As for Titus, he is my partner and co-worker in your service; as for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.

Therefore openly before the churches, show them the proof of your love and of our reason for boasting about you.

Now it is not necessary for me to write you about the ministry to the saints,

for I know your eagerness, which is the subject of my boasting about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year; and your zeal has stirred up most of them.

So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you, and arrange in advance for this bountiful gift that you have promised, so that it may be ready as a voluntary gift and not as an extortion.

Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.

You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us;

for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God.

while they long for you and pray for you because of the surpassing grace of God that he has given you.

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

for the weapons of our warfare are not merely human, but they have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments

Now, even if I boast a little too much of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of it.

For they say, "His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible."