Study Desk

But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, "I believed, and therefore I spoke." We also believe, and therefore also we speak;

Therefore we don't faint, but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day.

while we don't look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

For indeed we who are in this tent do groan, being burdened; not that we desire to be unclothed, but that we desire to be clothed, that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.

Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are revealed to God; and I hope that we are revealed also in your consciences.

For we are not commending ourselves to you again, but speak as giving you occasion of boasting on our behalf, that you may have something to answer those who boast in appearance, and not in heart.

He died for all, that those who live should no longer live to themselves, but to him who for their sakes died and rose again.

But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation;

but in everything commending ourselves, as servants of God, in great endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,

You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections.

For even when we had come into Macedonia, our flesh had no relief, but we were afflicted on every side. Fightings were outside. Fear was inside.

and not by his coming only, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, while he told us your longing, your mourning, and your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced still more.

I now rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that you were made sorry to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly way, that you might suffer loss by us in nothing.

For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world works death.

So although I wrote to you, I wrote not for his cause that did the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered the wrong, but that your earnest care for us might be revealed in you in the sight of God.

For if in anything I have boasted to him on your behalf, I was not put to shame. But as we spoke all things to you in truth, so our glorying also which I made before Titus was found to be truth.

This was not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God.

But as you abound in everything, in faith, utterance, knowledge, all earnestness, and in your love to us, see that you also abound in this grace.

I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love.

I give a judgment in this: for this is expedient for you, who were the first to start a year ago, not only to do, but also to be willing.