Study Desk

What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will live in them and move among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, and make holiness perfect in the fear of God.

But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus,

So although I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did the wrong, nor on account of the one who suffered the wrong, but in order that your zeal for us might be revealed to you in the sight of God.

We want you to know, brethren, about the grace of God which has been shown in the churches of Macedo'nia,

and this, not as we expected, but first they gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.

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

Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work.

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

for the rendering of this service not only supplies the wants of the saints but also overflows in many thanksgivings to God.

Under the test of this service, you will glorify God by your obedience in acknowledging the gospel of Christ, and by the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others;

while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God in you.

Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

We destroy arguments and every proud obstacle to the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

But we will not boast beyond limit, but will keep to the limits God has apportioned us, to reach even to you.

And why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!

The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed for ever, knows that I do not lie.

I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows.

And I know that this man was caught up into Paradise--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows--