Study Desk

For, not that unto others should be relief, and unto you distress do I speak , but, by equality, in the present season, your surplus for their deficiency, -

In order that their surplus may come to be for your deficiency: that there may come about an equality: -

For we provide things honourable, not only before the Lord, but also before men.

For, indeed, concerning the ministry which is for the saints, it is, superfluous for me, to be writing to you;

For I know your forwardness of mind - of which, in your behalf, I am boasting unto Macedonians, that, Achaia, hath been prepared for a year past, - and, your zeal, hath stirred up the greater number of them.

Each one, according as he hath purposed in his heart, not sorrowfully, nor of necessity, - for, a cheerful giver, God, loveth.

Now, he that supplieth seed to the sower, and bread for eating, will supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and cause to grow your fruits of righteousness:

Of many who, through the proof of this ministry, are glorifying God for your acknowledged submission unto the glad-message of the Christ, and for the liberality of the fellowship, unto them, and unto all, -

Thanks be unto God, for his unspeakable bounty!

For, though, in flesh, we walk, not, according to flesh, do we war, -

For, the weapons of our warfare, are not fleshly, but mighty, by God, unto a pulling down of strongholds, -

Yea, if, somewhat more abundantly, I should boast concerning our authority - which the Lord hath given for building up and not for pulling you down, I shall not be put to shame, -

For we dare not class or compare ourselves with some who do, themselves, commend; but, they, among themselves, measuring, themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are without discernment!

For, not as though we were not reaching unto you, are we over-stretching ourselves, for, as far as even you, were we beforehand in the glad-message of the Christ:

Not, as to the things without measure, boasting ourselves in other men's toils, but having, hope - your faith, growing - among you, to be enlarged, according to our limit for something beyond, -

For, not he that commendeth himself, he, is approved, but he whom, the Lord, doth commend.

For I am jealous over you with a jealousy, of God; for I myself betrothed you unto one husband, to present, a chaste virgin, unto the Christ, -

For, if, indeed, he that cometh, is proclaiming, another Jesus, whom we have not proclaimed, or, a different Spirit, ye are receiving, which ye had not received, or a different glad-message, which ye have never welcomed, ye are, well, bearing.

For I reckon not to have come a whit behind the exceeding overmuch apostles;

And, being present with you, and having come short, I was not burdensome to anyone, - for, my deficiency, the brethren, coming from Macedonia, helped to make up; - and, in everything, without burden unto you, I kept, myself - and will keep!