Study Desk

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

For whether we are beside ourselves, it is to God; or whether we are of sober mind, it is to you.

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

to wit, 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 ambassadors therefore on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we urge [you] on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

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

And working together [with him] we entreat also that you do not receive the grace of God in vain

but in everything commending ourselves, as servants of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, 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,

And what agreement has a temple of God with idols? for we 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 shall 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 that comforts the lowly, [even] God, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

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

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

and [this], 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 put the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.

[Let] each man [do] according to as he has purposed in his heart: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver.

And God is able to make all grace abound to you; that you, having always 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 the providing of this service of the ministry not only fills up the measure of the wants of the saints, but abounds also through many thanksgivings to God;