Study Desk

Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are revealed to God; and I hope that we are revealed also in your consciences.

For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God. Or if we are of sober mind, it is for you.

But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation;

namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and having committed to us the word of reconciliation.

We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us. We beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

For him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Working together, we entreat also that you not receive the grace of God in vain,

but in everything commending ourselves, as servants of God, in great endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,

in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

What agreement has a temple of God with idols? For you are a temple of the living God. Even as God said, "I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they will be my people."

Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Nevertheless, he who comforts the lowly, God, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

So although I wrote to you, I wrote not for his cause that did the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered the wrong, but that your earnest care for us might be revealed in you in the sight of God.

Moreover, brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the assemblies of Macedonia;

This was not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God.

But thanks be to God, who puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.

Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work.

you being enriched in everything to all liberality, which works through us thanksgiving to God.

For this service of giving that you perform not only makes up for lack among the saints, but abounds also through many givings of thanks to God;