Study Desk

For I know that you have made up your minds, and that is why I boasted of you to the Macedonians stating that A-cha''ia was ready a year ago; and your zeal has stirred up a great many people.

Yet I have sent the brethren, so that our pride in you should not be in vain because of this question; for as I have said, you must be prepared:

Lest it happen some Macedonians come with me, and find you unprepared and we would be ashamed for, because of our pride in you, we would not say anything which would put the blame on you.

So let every man give according to what he has decided in his mind, not grudgingly or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver.

God is able to make all goodness abound to you, and may you always have enough of everything for yourselves, and may you abound in every good work:

As it is written, He has distributed liberally; and given to the poor; and his righteousness endures for ever.

Now he who gives seed to the sower, and bread for food, will supply and multiply your seed, and cause the fruits of your righteousness to grow;

That you may be enriched in everything, in all liberality, for such generosity enables us to perfect thanksgiving to God.

For the administration of this service not only supplies the wants of the saints, but it also is made abundant by many thanksgivings to God.

Thanks be to God for his incomparable gift.

I beseech you, that when I arrive, not to be troubled by the things which I hope to carry out, for it is my purpose to put to scorn those men who regard us as if we lived after the flesh.

For though we do live an earthly life, yet we do not serve worldly things.

For the weapons which we use are not earthly weapons, but of the might of God by which we conquer rebellious strongholds;

For if I should boast somewhat more of the authority which our LORD has given me, I should not be ashamed, for he has given it to us for your edification, and not for your destruction.

For there are men who say that his epistles are weighty and powerful; but his bodily appearance is weak, and his speech foolish.

For we dare not count or compare ourselves with those who are proud of themselves; for it is because they measure themselves by themselves that they do not understand.

It is not because we are unable to climb where you are; nor are trying to misrepresent ourselves; for we have climbed where we are through the gospel of Christ:

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

I WISH you to be patient with me for a while, so that I may speak plainly, and I am sure you will be.

For I am zealous for you with the zealousness of God, for I have espoused you to a husband, that I may present you as a pure virgin to Christ.