Study Desk

But just as you excel in everything—in faith and in speaking and in knowledge and with all diligence and in the love from us that is in you—so may you excel in this grace also.

I am not saying this as a command, but proving the genuineness of your love by means of the diligence of others.

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

But thanks be to God, who has put in the heart of Titus the same devotion on your behalf,

because he not only welcomed our request, but being very earnest, by his own choice he went out to you.

And not only this, but he was also chosen by the churches as our traveling companion together with this gift that is being administered by us to the glory of the Lord himself and to show our readiness to help.

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

And we are sending with them our brother whom we have tested many times in many things that he is diligent, but now much more diligent because of his great confidence in you.

But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you would not prove to be empty in this case, so that you may be prepared just as I was saying,

because the service of this ministry is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but also is overflowing through many expressions of thanksgiving to God.

Now I, Paul, appeal to you myself by the humility and gentleness of Christ, who when I am present in person am humble among you, but when I am absent am bold toward you—

for the weapons of our warfare are not merely human, but powerful to God for the tearing down of fortresses, tearing down arguments

because it is said, "His letters are severe and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak and his speech is of no account."

For we do not dare to classify or to compare ourselves with some who commend themselves, but they themselves, when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, do not understand.

But we will not boast beyond limits, but according to the measure of the assignment that God has assigned to us as a measure to reach even as far as you.

not boasting beyond limits in the labors of others, but having hope that as your faith is growing to be enlarged greatly by you according to our assignment,

But "the one who boasts, let him boast in the Lord."

For it is not the one commending himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

I wish that you would put up with me in something a little foolish—but indeed you are putting up with me.