Letters to the Churches

Wherefore shew ye to them, in the sight of the churches, the evidence of your charity and of our boasting on your behalf.

For concerning the ministry that is done towards the saints, it is superfluous for me to write unto you.

For I know your forward mind: for which I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia also is ready from the year past. And your emulation hath provoked very many.

Now I have sent the brethren, that the thing which we boast of concerning you be not made void in this behalf, that (as I have said) you may be ready:

Lest, when the Macedonians shall come with me and find you unprepared, we (not to say ye) should be ashamed in this matter.

Therefore I thought it necessary to desire the brethren that they would go to you before and prepare this blessing before promised, to be ready, so as a blessing, not as covetousness.

Now this I say: He who soweth sparingly shall also reap sparingly: and he who soweth in blessings shall also reap blessings.

Every one as he hath determined in his heart, not with sadness or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

And God is able to make all grace abound in you: that ye always, having all sufficiently in all things, may abound to every good work,

As it is written: He hath dispersed abroad, he hath given to the poor: his justice remaineth for ever.

And he that ministereth seed to the sower will both give you bread to eat and will multiply your seed and increase the growth of the fruits of your justice:

That being enriched in all things, you may abound unto all simplicity which worketh through us thanksgiving to God.

Because the administration of this office doth not only supply the want of the saints, but aboundeth also by many thanksgivings in the Lord.

By the proof of this ministry, glorifying God for the obedience of your confession unto the gospel of Christ and for the simplicity of your communicating unto them and unto all.

And in their praying for you, being desirous of you, because of the excellent grace of God in you.

Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.

Now I Paul, myself beseech you, by the mildness and modesty of Christ: who in presence indeed am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you.

But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence wherewith I am thought to be bold, against some who reckon us as if we walked according to the flesh.

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

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty to God, unto the pulling down of fortifications, destroying counsels,

And every height that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God: and bringing into captivity every understanding unto the obedience of Christ:

And having in readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience shall be fulfilled.

See the things that are according to outward appearance. If any man trust to himself, that he is Christ's let him think this again with himself, that as he is Christ's, so are we also.

For if also I should boast somewhat more of our power, which the Lord hath given us unto edification and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed.

But that I may not be thought as it were to terrify you by epistles,