Study Desk

Therefore, since we have this ^(C1)ministry, as we ^(C2)received mercy, we ^(C3)do not lose heart,

but we have renounced the ^(C1)things hidden because of shame, not walking in trickery nor ^(C2)distorting the word of God, but by the open proclamation of the truth ^(C3)commending ourselves to every person's conscience in the sight of God.

And even if our ^(C1)gospel is ^(C2)veiled, it is veiled ^(F1)to ^(C3)those who are perishing,

in whose case ^(C1)the god of ^(C2)this ^(F1)world has ^(C3)blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that ^(F2)they will not see the ^(C4)light of the gospel of the ^(C5)glory of Christ, who is the ^(C6)image of God.

For we ^(C1)do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants ^(F1)on account of Jesus.

For God, who said, "^(C1)Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has ^(C2)shone in our hearts to give the ^(C3)Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

But we have this treasure in ^(F1)(C1)earthen containers, so that the extraordinary greatness of ^(C2)the power will be of God and not from ourselves;

we are ^(C1)afflicted in every way, but not ^(C2)crushed; ^(C3)perplexed, but not despairing;

^(C1)persecuted, but not ^(C2)abandoned; ^(C3)struck down, but not destroyed;

^(C1)always carrying around in the body the dying of Jesus, so that ^(C2)the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

For we who live are constantly being handed over to death because of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal flesh.

So death works in us, but life in you.

But having the same ^(C1)spirit of faith, according to what is written: "^(C2)I BELIEVED, THEREFORE I SPOKE," we also believe, therefore we also speak,

knowing that He who ^(C1)raised the Lord Jesus ^(C2)will also raise us with Jesus, and will ^(C3)present us with you.

For all things are ^(C1)for your sakes, so that grace, having ^(F1)(C2)spread to more and more people, will cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

Therefore we ^(C1)do not lose heart, but though our outer person is decaying, yet our ^(C2)inner person is ^(C3)being renewed day by day.

For our momentary, ^(C1)light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,

while we ^(C1)look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

For we know that if our ^(F1)(C1)earthly ^(C2)tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house ^(C3)not made by hands, eternal in the heavens.

For indeed, in this tent we ^(C1)groan, longing to be ^(C2)clothed with our ^(F1)dwelling from heaven,

since in fact after putting it on, we will not be found naked.

For indeed, we who are in this tent ^(C1)groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be ^(C2)clothed, so that what is ^(C3)mortal will be swallowed up by life.

Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who ^(C1)gave us the Spirit as a ^(F1)pledge.

Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that ^(C1)while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord—

for ^(C1)we walk by faith, not by ^(F1)sight—

but we are of good courage and ^(C1)prefer rather to be absent from the body and ^(C2)to be at home with the Lord.

Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be ^(C1)pleasing to Him.

For we must all appear before ^(C1)the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive compensation for ^(F1)his deeds done through the body, in accordance with what he has done, whether good or bad.

Therefore, knowing the ^(C1)fear of the Lord, we persuade people, but we are well known to God; and I hope that we are also ^(C2)well known in your consciences.

We are not commending ourselves to you ^(C1)again, but are giving you an ^(C2)opportunity to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart.

For if we have ^(C1)lost our minds, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you.

For the love of Christ ^(C1)controls us, having concluded this, that ^(C2)one died for all, therefore all died;

and He died for all, so that those who live would no longer ^(C1)live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose on their behalf.

Therefore from now on we recognize no one ^(F1)(C1)by the flesh; even though we have known Christ by the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer.

Therefore if anyone is ^(C1)in Christ, this person is ^(C2)a new ^(F1)creation; ^(C3)the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

Now ^(C1)all these things are from God, ^(C2)who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ^(C3)ministry of reconciliation,

namely, that ^(C1)God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, ^(C2)not counting their wrongdoings against them, and ^(F1)He has ^(F2)committed to us the word of reconciliation.

Therefore, we are ^(C1)ambassadors for Christ, ^(C2)as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be ^(C3)reconciled to God.

He made Him who ^(C1)knew no sin to be ^(F1)(C2)sin in our behalf, so that we might become the ^(C3)righteousness of God in Him.