Study Desk

now I rejoice, not that you were grieved, but that you were grieved to repentance. For you were grieved according to the will of God, so that you suffered loss in no way through us.

For grief according to the will of God brings about a repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted, but worldly grief brings about death.

For behold how much diligence this very thing, being grieved according to the will of God, has brought about in you: what defense of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! In everything you have demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in this matter.

For if I have boasted anything to him about you, I have not been put to shame, but as I have spoken everything to you in truth, thus also our boasting to Titus has proven to be true.

And his affection for you is all the more when he remembers the obedience of all of you as you welcomed him with fear and trembling.

So we urged Titus that, just as he had previously begun it, thus he would also complete for you this act of grace.

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that although he was rich, for your sake he became poor, in order that you, by his poverty, may become rich.

And I am giving an opinion in this matter, because this is profitable for you who not only began previously, a year ago, to do something, but also to want to do it.

For if the eagerness is present according to what one has, it is acceptable not according to what one does not have.

For this is not that for others there may be relief, and for you difficult circumstances, but as a matter of equality.

At the present time your abundance will be for their need, in order that their abundance may also be for your need, so that there may be equality,

For we are taking into consideration what is honorable not only before the Lord, but also before people.

If there is a question concerning Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for you. If there is a question concerning our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.

For it is unnecessary for me to write to you concerning the ministry to the saints,

Therefore I considered it necessary to urge the brothers that they should go on ahead to you and make arrangements in advance for your generous gift that was promised previously, so this would be prepared as a generous gift and not as grudgingly granted.

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

Now the one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your seed, and will cause the harvest of your righteousness to grow,

being made rich in every way for all generosity, which is producing through us thanksgiving to God,

and they are longing for you in their prayers for you, because of the surpassing grace of God to you.

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!