Study Desk

Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord,^(l) we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.^(m)

We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again,⁽ⁿ⁾ but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us,^(o) so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart.

If we are "out of our mind,"^(p) as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.

For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.^(q)

And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves^(r) but for him who died for them^(s) and was raised again.

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly^(t) point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,^(u) the new creation^(v) has come:^[a] The old has gone, the new is here!^(w)

All this is from God,^(x) who reconciled us to himself through Christ^(y) and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:

that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them.^(z) And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

We are therefore Christ's ambassadors,^(aa) as though God were making his appeal through us.^(ab) We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.^(ac)

God made him who had no sin^(ad) to be sin^[b] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.^(ae)

As God's co-workers^(a) we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain.^(b)

For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you."^[a](c) I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.

We put no stumbling block in anyone's path,^(d) so that our ministry will not be discredited.

Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses;

in beatings, imprisonments^(e) and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger;^(f)

in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit^(g) and in sincere love;^(h)

in truthful speech⁽ⁱ⁾ and in the power of God;^(j) with weapons of righteousness^(k) in the right hand and in the left;

through glory and dishonor,^(l) bad report^(m) and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors;⁽ⁿ⁾

known, yet regarded as unknown; dying,^(o) and yet we live on;^(p) beaten, and yet not killed;

sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;^(q) poor, yet making many rich;^(r) having nothing,^(s) and yet possessing everything.^(t)

We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you.^(u)

We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us.

As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children^(v)—open wide your hearts^(w) also.