Study Desk

We do not give anyone an occasion for taking an offense in anything, so that no fault may be found with our ministry.

I do not say this to condemn you, for I told you before that you are in our hearts so that we die together and live together with you.

We were encouraged not only by his arrival, but also by the encouragement you gave him, as he reported to us your longing, your mourning, your deep concern for me, so that I rejoiced more than ever.

Now I rejoice, not because you were made sad, but because you were made sad to the point of repentance. For you were made sad as God intended, so that you were not harmed in any way by us.

So then, even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did wrong, or on account of the one who was wronged, but to reveal to you your eagerness on our behalf before God.

For if I have boasted to him about anything concerning you, I have not been embarrassed by you, but just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting to Titus about you has proved true as well.

For I testify, they gave according to their means and beyond their means. They did so voluntarily,

Thus we urged Titus that, just as he had previously begun this work, so also he should complete this act of kindness for you.

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that although he was rich, he became poor for your sakes, so that you by his poverty could become rich.

So here is my opinion on this matter: It is to your advantage, since you made a good start last year both in your giving and your desire to give,

to finish what you started, so that just as you wanted to do it eagerly, you can also complete it according to your means.

For I do not say this so there would be relief for others and suffering for you, but as a matter of equality.

At the present time, your abundance will meet their need, so that one day their abundance may also meet your need, and thus there may be equality,

We did this as a precaution so that no one should blame us in regard to this generous gift we are administering.

But I am sending these brothers so that our boasting about you may not be empty in this case, so that you may be ready just as I kept telling them.

Therefore I thought it necessary to urge these brothers to go to you in advance and to arrange ahead of time the generous contribution you had promised, so this may be ready as a generous gift and not as something you feel forced to do.

And God is able to make all grace overflow to you so that because you have enough of everything in every way at all times, you will overflow in every good work.

You will be enriched in every way so that you may be generous on every occasion, which is producing through us thanksgiving to God,

You are looking at outward appearances. If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should reflect on this again: Just as he himself belongs to Christ, so too do we.

For if I boast somewhat more about our authority that the Lord gave us for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of doing so.