Study Desk

As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you. As for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches to the glory of Christ.

In full view of the churches, then, show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our boasting about you.

Now about the service to the saints, there is no need for me to write to you.

For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting to the Macedonians that since last year you in Achaia were prepared to give. And your zeal has stirred most of them to do likewise.

So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you beforehand and make arrangements for the bountiful gift you had promised. This way, your gift will be prepared generously and not begrudgingly.

Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.

Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your store of seed and will increase the harvest of your righteousness.

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

Because of the proof this ministry provides, the saints will glorify God for your obedient confession of the gospel of Christ, and for the generosity of your contribution to them and to all the others.

And their prayers for you will express their affection for you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh.

For even if I boast somewhat excessively about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed.

For some say, "His letters are weighty and forceful, but his physical presence is unimpressive, and his speaking is of no account."

For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. For I promised you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.

For if someone comes and proclaims a Jesus other than the One we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit than the One you received, or a different gospel than the one you accepted, you put up with it way too easily.

Was it a sin for me to humble myself in order to exalt you, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge?

And when I was with you and in need, I was not a burden to anyone; for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my needs. I have refrained from being a burden to you in any way, and I will continue to do so.

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.