and mark'd me with his seal, and given me the earnest of the spirit in my heart.

why should I make you uneasy, for who then could give me comfort, but those to whom I give uneasiness?

When an opportunity was given me by the Lord to preach the gospel of Christ, upon my arrival at Troas,

who also hath enabled me to be a minister of the new covenant, not of the literal sense, but of the spiritual meaning: it is the letter that denounces death, but the spirit gives life.

now he that hath prepared us for this very state, is God, who hath given us the spirit as a pledge of it.

and this I say, not to commend myself again unto you, but to give you an occasion of glorying on my account, that you may confront those who make a false show of glorying.

as for us, we give no occasion of offence, that our ministry may not be blamed:

so that I am not ashamed of the commendations I have formerly given you to him; but as I have always preached the truth to you, so in my commendation to Titus, I have said nothing but truth of you.

for what a man gives with a ready mind, according to his abilities, is well received; but not when he goes beyond his circumstances.

let every man give as he is disposed in his own mind, without any regret or reluctance: for God loves a cheerful benefactor.

as it is written, " he hath distributed, he hath given to the poor: his liberality remaineth for ever."

for though I should more than ever magnify my authority, which the Lord hath given us for your improvement, and not for your ruin, I should have no reason to be ashamed;

these things therefore I write to you being absent, that when I come I may not use severity, according to the power which the Lord hath given me for edification, and not for destruction.