Study Desk

And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again.

It is not our affection, but yours that is restrained.

For when we arrived in Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were pressed from every direction-conflicts on the outside, fears within.

But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the arrival of Titus,

and not only by his arrival, but also by the comfort he had received from you. He told us about your longing, your mourning, and your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced all the more.

Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Although I did regret it, I now see that my letter caused you sorrow, but only for a short time.

And now I rejoice, not because you were made sorrowful, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you felt the sorrow that God had intended, and so were not harmed in any way by us.

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

So even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did wrong or the one who was harmed, but rather that your earnestness on our behalf would be made clear to you in the sight of God.

Indeed, I was not embarrassed by anything I had boasted to him about you. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting to Titus has proved to be true as well.

And not only did they do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us, because it was the will of God.

But just as you excel in everything-in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness, and in the love we inspired in you-see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

I am not making a demand, but I am testing the sincerity of your love in comparison to the earnestness of others.

And this is my opinion about what is helpful for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give, but even to have such a desire.

It is not our intention that others may be relieved while you are burdened, but that there may be equality.

But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same devotion I have for you.

For not only did he welcome our appeal, but he is eagerly coming to you of his own volition.

For we are taking great care to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord, but also in the eyes of men.

But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove empty, but that you will be prepared, just as I said.

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