Study Desk

But if we are in trouble, it is for your good. And it is so you will be saved from the punishment of sin. If God comforts us, it is for your good also. You too will be given strength not to give up when you have the same kind of trouble we have.

Our hope for you is the same all the time. We know you are sharing our troubles. And so you will share the comfort we receive.

You also help us by praying for us. Many people thank God for His favor to us. This is an answer to the prayers of many people.

I am happy to say this. Whatever we did in this world, and for sure when we were with you, we were honest and had pure desires. We did not trust in human wisdom. Our power came from God's loving-favor.

God is the One Who makes our faith and your faith strong in Christ. He has set us apart for Himself.

If someone among you has brought sorrow, he has not made me as sad as he has all of you. I say this so I may not make it hard for you.

Most of you have punished him. That is enough for such a person.

When I arrived in the city of Troas, the Lord opened the door for me to preach the Good News of Christ.

We thank God for the power Christ has given us. He leads us and makes us win in everything. He speaks through us wherever we go. The Good News is like a sweet smell to those who hear it.

It is the smell of death to those who are lost in sin. It is the smell of life to those who are being saved from the punishment of sin. Who is able for such a work?

People make it hard for us, but we are not left alone. We are knocked down, but we are not destroyed.

Death is working in us because we work for the Lord, but His life is working in you.

These things happened for your good. As more people receive God's favor, they will give thanks for the shining-greatness of God.

The little troubles we suffer now for a short time are making us ready for the great things God is going to give us forever.

Our body is like a house we live in here on earth. When it is destroyed, we know that God has another body for us in heaven. The new one will not be made by human hands as a house is made. This body will last forever.

While we are in this body, we cry inside ourselves because things are hard for us. It is not that we want to die. Instead, we want to live in our new bodies. We want this dying body to be changed into a living body that lasts forever.

It is God Who has made us ready for this change. He has given us His Spirit to show us what He has for us.

For all of us must stand before Christ when He says who is guilty or not guilty. Each one will receive pay for what he has done. He will be paid for the good or the bad done while he lived in this body.

We do not want to sound as if we think we are so important. Instead, we are making it easy for you to be proud of us. In that way, you will be able to tell them about us. They always talk about the way people look, but do not care about their hearts.

Are we crazy to talk like this? It is all because of what God has done. If we are using our minds well, it is for you.