Study Desk

and not only by his arrival but also by the comfort he had received from you. He told us about your longing for me, your sorrow, and your eagerness to take my side, and this made me even happier.

If I made you sad with my letter, I do not regret it, although I did regret it then. I see that the letter caused you sorrow, though only for a while.2 Corinthians 2:4;">[xr]

Now I am happy, not because you had such sorrow, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you were sorry in a godly way, and so you were not hurt by us in any way.

For having sorrow in a godly way results in repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regrets. But the sorrow of the world produces death.2 Samuel 12:13; Proverbs 17:22; Matthew 26:75;">[xr]

For if I have been doing some boasting about you to him, I have never been ashamed of it. Moreover, since everything we told you was true, our boasting to Titus has also proved to be true.

They begged us earnestly for the privilegefor the grace">[fn] of participating in this ministry to the saints.Acts 11:29; 24:17; Romans 15:25-26; 1 Corinthians 16:1,3-4; 2 Corinthians 9:1;">[xr]

Indeed, the more your faith, speech, knowledge, enthusiasm, and love for us increase, the more we want you to be rich in this work of kindness.this grace">[fn]1 Corinthians 1:5; 12:8; 2 Corinthians 9:8;">[xr]

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Although he was rich, for your sakes he became poor, so that you, through his poverty, might become rich.Matthew 8:20; Luke 9:58; Philippians 2:6-7;">[xr]

For if the eagerness is there, the giftit">[fn] is acceptable according to what you have, not according to what you do not have.Mark 12:43-44; Luke 21:3;">[xr]

With him we have sent the brother who is praised in all the churches for spreading the gospel.in the gospel">[fn]2 Corinthians 12:18;">[xr]

More than that, he has also been selected by the churches to travel with us while we are administering this work of kindnessthis grace">[fn] for the glory of the Lord and as evidence of our eagerness to help.to help">[fn]1 Corinthians 16:3-4; 2 Corinthians 4:15;">[xr]

As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker on your behalf. Our brothers, emissariesapostles">[fn] from the churches, are the glory of Christ.Philippians 2:25;">[xr]

Therefore, give to the churches a demonstration of your love and a reason for why we boast about you.2 Corinthians 7:14; 9:2;">[xr]

For I know how willing you are, and I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, sayingsaying">[fn] that Achaia has been ready since last year, and your enthusiasm has stimulated most of them.2 Corinthians 8:10,19, 24;">[xr]

Therefore, I thought it necessary to urge these brothers to visit you ahead of me, to make arrangements in advance for this gift you promised, and to have it ready as something given generously and not forced.

Besides, God is able to make every blessing of yours overflow for you, so that in every situation you will always have all you need for any good work.Proverbs 11:24-25; 28:27; Philippians 4:19;">[xr]

For this ministry you render is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but it is also overflowing with more and more prayers of thanksgiving to God.2 Corinthians 8:14;">[xr]

And so in their prayers for you they will long for you because of God's exceptional grace that was shown to you.2 Corinthians 8:1;">[xr]

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!James 1:17;">[xr]

For the weapons of our warfare are not those of the flesh. Instead, they have the power of God to demolish fortresses. We tear down argumentsJeremiah 1:10; Acts 7:22; 1 Corinthians 2:5; 2 Corinthians 6:7; 13:3-4; Ephesians 6:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:8; 1 Timothy 1:18; 2 Timothy 2:3;">[xr]