Study Desk

For if we are insane, it is to God; or if we are clear-minded, it is for you.

And all things are from God, the One having reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and having given to us the ministry of reconciliation,

as, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not charging their deviations to them, and having put the Word of reconciliation in us.

Then on behalf of Christ, we are ambassadors, as God is exhorting through us, we beseech on behalf of Christ, Be reconciled to God.

For He made the One who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

But working together, we also call on you not to receive the grace of God in vain.

in the Word of truth, in the power of God, through the weapons of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

And what agreement does a temple of God have with idols? For you are a temple of the living God, even as God said, "I will" dwell in them and "walk among them , and I will betheir God, and they shall be My people." Lev. 26:12; Ezek. 37:27

Then having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilements of flesh and of spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Now I rejoice, not that you were grieved, but that you were grieved to repentance. For you were grieved according to God, that you might suffer loss in nothing by us.

For the grief according to God works repentance to salvation, not to be regretted. But the grief of the world works death.

For behold this same thing, you being grieved according to God, how much it fully worked earnestness in you, but also defense, but also indignation, but also fear, but also desire, but also zeal, but also vengeance! In everything you commended yourselves to be clear in the matter.

Then even if I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the one doing wrong, nor for the sake of the one being wronged, but for the sake of revealing our earnestness on your behalf, for you before God.

But, brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given among the assemblies of Macedonia,

And not as we hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us through the will of God,

But thanks be to God, who gives the same earnestness for you in the heart of Titus.

Each one as he purposes in his heart, not out of grief or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver. Prov. 22:8

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

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

Because the ministry of this service is not only making up the things lacking of the saints, but also multiplying through many thanksgivings to God,