Study Desk

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

Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.

but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities,

by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left;

What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will make my dwelling among them and walk 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, bringing holiness to completion 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 for the sake of the one who did the wrong, nor for the sake of the one who suffered the wrong, but in order that your earnestness for us might be revealed to you in the sight of God.

We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia,

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

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

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.

For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.

By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and 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 upon you.

Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

But we will not boast beyond limits, but will boast only with regard to the area of influence God assigned to us, to reach even to you.