Bible Verses About Emulation: General references

Now we make known unto you, brethren, the grace of God that hath been given in the churches of Macedonia.

That in much experience of tribulation, they have had abundance of joy and their very deep poverty hath abounded unto the riches of their simplicity.

For according to their power (I bear them witness) and beyond their power, they were willing:

With much entreaty begging of us the grace and communication of the ministry that is done toward the saints.

And not as we hoped: but they gave their own selves, first to the Lord, then to us by the will of God;

Insomuch, that we desired Titus, that, as he had begun, so also he would finish among you this same grace.

That as in all things you abound in faith and word and knowledge and all carefulness, moreover also in your charity towards us: so in this grace also you may abound.

I speak not as commanding: but by the carefulness of others, approving also the good disposition of your charity.

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.