For consider how much diligence this very thing—this grieving as God wills—has produced in you: what a desire to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what deep longing, what zeal, what justice! In every way you showed yourselves to be pure in this matter.

“Men of Israel, listen to these words: This Jesus the Nazarene was a man pointed out to you by God with miracles, wonders, and signs that God did among you through Him, just as you yourselves know.

Whoever serves Christ in this way is acceptable to God and approved by men.

Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ.
Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus.

If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it too much if we reap material benefits from you?

For our exhortation didn’t come from error or impurity or an intent to deceive.

But she will be saved through childbearing, if she continues in faith, love, and holiness, with good judgment.

Approving

Instead, we have renounced shameful secret things, not walking in deceit or distorting God’s message, but commending ourselves to every person’s conscience in God’s sight by an open display of the truth.

But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us!

As

He has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit produces life.

Are they servants of Christ?
I’m talking like a madman—I’m a better one:
with far more labors,
many more imprisonments,
far worse beatings, near death many times.

But you will be called the Lord’s priests;
they will speak of you as ministers of our God;
you will eat the wealth of the nations,
and you will boast in their riches.

Grain and drink offerings have been cut off
from the house of the Lord;
the priests, who are ministers of the Lord, mourn.

Let the priests, the Lord’s ministers,
weep between the portico and the altar.
Let them say:
“Have pity on Your people, Lord,
and do not make Your inheritance a disgrace,
an object of scorn among the nations.
Why should it be said among the peoples,
‘Where is their God?’”

What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, and each has the role the Lord has given.

A person should consider us in this way: as servants of Christ and managers of God’s mysteries.

And we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you concerning your faith,

If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of the faith and the good teaching that you have followed.

In much

The signs of an apostle were performed with great endurance among you—not only signs but also wonders and miracles.

By your endurance gain your lives.

And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance,

May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience, with joy

And we exhort you, brothers: warn those who are irresponsible, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

But you, man of God, run from these things,
and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith,
love, endurance, and gentleness.

But you have followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, and endurance,

Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us,

Therefore, brothers, be patient until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth and is patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains.

I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation, kingdom, and endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of God’s word and the testimony about Jesus.

Because you have kept My command to endure, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is going to come over the whole world to test those who live on the earth.

Afflictions

For our momentary light affliction

is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory.

except that in town after town the Holy Spirit testifies to me that chains and afflictions are waiting for me.

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I am completing in my flesh what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for His body, that is, the church.

so that no one will be shaken by these persecutions. For you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.

So don’t be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, or of me His prisoner. Instead, share in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God.

along with the persecutions and sufferings that came to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from them all.

But as for you, be serious about everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Necessities

When I was present with you and in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my needs. I have kept myself, and will keep myself, from burdening you in any way.

So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, catastrophes, persecutions, and in pressures, because of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

You yourselves know that these hands have provided for my needs and for those who were with me.

Up to the present hour we are both hungry and thirsty; we are poorly clothed, roughly treated, homeless;

I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.

Distresses

We are pressured in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair;

Who can separate us from the love of Christ?
Can affliction or anguish or persecution
or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution, we were encouraged about you through your faith.

General references

I came to you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.