Study Desk

Ye are not straitened in us; but ye are straitened in your own bowels.

For when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side: from without were fightings, from within were fears.

But God who comforteth them that are brought low, comforted us by the coming of Titus.

And not only by his coming, but also by the comfort wherewith he was comforted over you, when he told us your earnest desire, your grief, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced the more.

For I do not repent that I grieved you by the letter, though I did repent: (for I see that letter grieved you, though but for a season.)

Now I rejoice, not that ye grieved, but that ye grieved to repentance; for ye grieved in a godly manner, so that ye received damage by us in nothing.

And though I wrote to you, it was not for his sake who had done the wrong, nor for his sake who had suffered it, but for the sake of manifesting to you in the sight of God our diligent care over you.

So that if I had boasted any thing of you to him, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, so also our boasting to Titus is found a truth.

And this they did, not as we hoped; but first gave themselves to the Lord, and to us by the will of God:

I speak not by way of command, but that by the diligence of others, I may prove the sincerity of your love.

And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun a year ago, not only to do, but also to do it willingly.

For I do not mean, that others should be eased, and you burthened; But by an equality,

But thanks be to God, who put the same diligent care for you in the heart of Titus.

For he accepted indeed the exhortation, but being more forward, he went to you of his own accord.

but he was also appointed by the churches to be a fellow-traveller with us, with this gift, which is administred by us, to the glory of the Lord himself,

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

And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have often proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, through his great confidence in you.

For the administration of this service, doth not only supply the necessities of the saints, but likewise aboundeth by the thanksgivings of many to God:

Now I Paul myself, who when present am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you, intreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ,

(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the throwing down of strong-holds.)