Study Desk

I do not say this to condemn you, for I told you before that you are in our hearts so that we die together and live together with you.

For even when we came into Macedonia, our body had no rest at all, but we were troubled in every way—struggles from the outside, fears from within.

We were encouraged not only by his arrival, but also by the encouragement you gave him, as he reported to us your longing, your mourning, your deep concern for me, so that I rejoiced more than ever.

For even if I made you sad by my letter, I do not regret having written it (even though I did regret it, for I see that my letter made you sad, though only for a short time).

Now I rejoice, not because you were made sad, but because you were made sad to the point of repentance. For you were made sad as God intended, so that you were not harmed in any way by us.

For sadness as intended by God produces a repentance that leads to salvation, leaving no regret, but worldly sadness brings about death.

For see what this very thing, this sadness as God intended, has produced in you: what eagerness, what defense of yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what deep concern, what punishment! In everything you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.

For if I have boasted to him about anything concerning you, I have not been embarrassed by you, but just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting to Titus about you has proved true as well.

And his affection for you is much greater when he remembers the obedience of you all, how you welcomed him with fear and trembling.

For I testify, they gave according to their means and beyond their means. They did so voluntarily,

begging us with great earnestness for the blessing and fellowship of helping the saints.

Thus we urged Titus that, just as he had previously begun this work, so also he should complete this act of kindness for you.

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that although he was rich, he became poor for your sakes, so that you by his poverty could become rich.

For if the eagerness is present, the gift itself is acceptable according to whatever one has, not according to what he does not have.

For I do not say this so there would be relief for others and suffering for you, but as a matter of equality.

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

And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his work in spreading the gospel.

For we are concerned about what is right not only before the Lord but also before men.

For it is not necessary for me to write you about this service to the saints,

For if any of the Macedonians should come with me and find that you are not ready to give, we would be humiliated (not to mention you) by this confidence we had in you.