Study Desk

For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:

for I know your readiness, of which I glory on your behalf to them of Macedonia, that Achaia hath been prepared for a year past; and your zeal hath stirred up very many of them.

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

as it is written, He hath scattered abroad, he hath given to the poor; His righteousness abideth for ever.

And he that supplieth seed to the sower and bread for food, shall supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness:

For the ministration of this service not only filleth up the measure of the wants of the saints, but aboundeth also through many thanksgivings unto God;

seeing that through the proving [of you] by this ministration they glorify God for the obedience of your confession unto the gospel of Christ, and for the liberality of [your] contribution unto them and unto all;

Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh

(for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strong holds);

For though I should glory somewhat abundantly concerning our authority (which the Lord gave for building you up, and not for casting you down), I shall not be put to shame:

For, His letters, they say, are weighty and strong; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account.

For we are not bold to number or compare ourselves with certain of them that commend themselves: but they themselves, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are without understanding.

For we stretch not ourselves overmuch, as though we reached not unto you: for we came even as far as unto you in the gospel of Christ:

For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.

For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy: for I espoused you to one husband, that I might present you [as] a pure virgin to Christ.

For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or [if] ye receive a different spirit, which ye did not receive, or a different gospel, which ye did not accept, ye do well to bear with [him].

For I reckon that I am not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.

Or did I commit a sin in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I preached to you the gospel of God for nought?

and when I was present with you and was in want, I was not a burden on any man; for the brethren, when they came from Macedonia, supplied the measure of my want; and in everything I kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and [so] will I keep [myself].