Study Desk

As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting; for you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.

For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation and brings no regret, but worldly grief produces death.

So although I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did the wrong, nor on account of the one who suffered the wrong, but in order that your zeal for us might be revealed to you in the sight of God.

For if I have expressed to him some pride in you, I was not put to shame; but just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting before Titus has proved true.

and this, not as we expected, but first they gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.

I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine.

And in this matter I give my advice: it is best for you now to complete what a year ago you began not only to do but to desire,

but that as a matter of equality your abundance at the present time should supply their want, so that their abundance may supply your want, that there may be equality.

But thanks be to God who puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.

For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord.

and not only that, but he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us in this gracious work which we are carrying on, for the glory of the Lord and to show our good will.

for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord's sight but also in the sight of men.

And with them we are sending our brother whom we have often tested and found earnest in many matters, but who is now more earnest than ever because of his great confidence in you.

But I am sending the brethren so that our boasting about you may not prove vain in this case, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be;

So I thought it necessary to urge the brethren to go on to you before me, and arrange in advance for this gift you have promised, so that it may be ready not as an exaction but as a willing gift.

for the rendering of this service not only supplies the wants of the saints but also overflows in many thanksgivings to God.

I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ--I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold to you when I am away! --

for the weapons of our warfare are not worldly but have divine power to destroy strongholds.

For they say, "His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account."

Not that we venture to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another, and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.