Study Desk

For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.

For this is not for the relief of others and for your affliction, but by way of equality—

at this present time your abundance being a supply for their need, so that their abundance also may become a supply for your need, that there may be equality.

For he not only accepted our plea, but being himself very earnest, he has gone out to you of his own accord.

And not only this, but he has also been appointed by the churches to travel with us in this gracious work that is being ministered by us for the glory of the Lord Himself, and to show our readiness,

for we respect what is good, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, a glory to Christ.

Therefore openly before the churches, show them the proof of your love and of our reason for boasting about you.

For it is superfluous for me to write to you about this ministry to the saints;

for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the Macedonians, that Achaia has been prepared since last year, and your zeal stirred up most of them.

Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

And God is able to make every grace abound to you, so that in everything at every time having every sufficiency, you may have an abundance for every good deed;

Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness;

you will be enriched in everything for all generosity, which through us is bringing about thanksgiving to God.

For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also abounding through many thanksgivings to God.

Because of the proven character given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the generosity of your fellowship toward them and toward all,

while they also, by prayer on your behalf, long for you because of the surpassing grace of God on you.

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

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

for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the tearing down of strongholds,