This led us to urge Titus that, as he had previously been the one who commenced the work, so he should now go and complete among you this act of beneficence also.

Therefore I entreat you not to lose heart in the midst of my sufferings on your behalf, for they bring you honour.

But we long for each of you to continue to manifest the same earnestness, with a view to your enjoying fulness of hope to the very End;

First

For I repeated to you the all-important fact which also I had been taught, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures;

Supplications

A widow who is really in need, friendless and desolate, has her hopes fixed on God, and continues at her supplications and prayers, night and day;

"In this manner therefore pray: 'Our Father who art in Heaven, may Thy name be kept holy;

Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be cured. The heartfelt supplication of a righteous man exerts a mighty influence.

And

First of all, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for what He has done for all of you; for the report of your faith is spreading through the whole world.

But thanks be to God that though you were once in thraldom to Sin, you have now yielded a hearty obedience to that system of truth in which you have been instructed.

Always and for everything let your thanks to God the Father be presented in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

I thank my God at my every remembrance of you--

Unceasing thanks are due from us to God on your behalf, brethren. They are appropriate because your faith is growing greatly, and the love of every one of you for all the others goes on increasing.

All men

who is willing for all mankind to be saved and come to a full knowledge of the truth.

Those times of ignorance God viewed with indulgence. But now He commands all men everywhere to repent,

and as for you, may the Lord teach you to love one another and all men, with a growing and a glowing love, resembling our love for you.

and a bondservant of the Lord must not quarrel, but must be inoffensive towards all men, a skilful teacher, and patient under wrongs.

For the grace of God has displayed itself with healing power to all mankind,

not speak evil of any one, nor be contentious, but yield unselfishly to others and constantly manifest a forgiving spirit towards all men.

General references

Submit, for the Lord's sake, to every authority set up by man, whether it be to the Emperor as supreme ruler,