He has qualified even me as a minister of the new covenant, which is not a written but a spiritual covenant. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

This has all originated with God, for He through Christ has reconciled me to Himself and has given me the ministry of reconciliation.

for which I was called to serve in accordance with the gift of God's unmerited favor which was bestowed on me by the exercise of His power--

As

About unmarried women I have no command from the Lord, but I will give you my opinion as of one who is trustworthy, since I have had mercy shown me by the Lord.

though I once used to abuse, persecute, and insult Him. But mercy was shown me by Him, because I did it in ignorance and unbelief,

Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once His mercy had not been shown you, but now it has.

We faint not

So I never give up; instead, although my outer nature is wasting away, my inner nature is constantly renewed from day to day.

Let us stop getting tired of doing good, for at the proper time we shall reap if we do not give up.

So I beg you not to lose heart over the sorrows that I am suffering for your sake, for they bring you honor.

I can do anything through Him who gives me strength.

But you, brothers, must never grow tired of doing right.

You are showing patient endurance, and you have borne it for my sake, and have not grown weary.

General references

Yes, as for myself, it was in weakness and fear and great trembling that I came to you,

Dearly beloved, you are acting faithfully in doing what you can for the brothers, especially as they are strangers.