For behold this same thing, that you sorrowed after a godly sort, what earnestness it worked in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what full punishment! In all things you have proved yourselves to be pure in this matter.

You men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as you yourselves also know:

For he that in these things serves Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.

Greet Apelles approved in Christ. Greet them who are of Aristobulus' household.

If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your material things?

For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:

Yet she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and love and holiness with propriety.

Approving

But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

As

Who also has made us able ministers of the new covenant; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter kills, but the spirit gives life.

Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labors more abundant, in stripes beyond measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths often.

But you shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: you shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall you boast yourselves.

The grain offering and the drink offering is cut off from the house of the LORD; the priests, the LORD'S ministers, mourn.

Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare your people, O LORD, and give not your heritage to reproach, that the nations should rule over them: why should they say among the people, Where is their God?

Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom you believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?

Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

And sent Timothy, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to encourage you concerning your faith:

If you put the brethren in remembrance of these things, you shall be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, which you have attained.

In much

Truly the signs of an apostle were done among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

In your patience you will gain your souls.

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation works patience;

Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are idle, encourage the faint-hearted, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

But you, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

But you have fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, patience,

Therefore seeing we also are surrounded with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily ensnare us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, and has long patience for it, until he receives the early and latter rain.

I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Because you have kept the word of my patience, I also will keep you from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

Afflictions

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

Except that the Holy Spirit witnesses in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me.

Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:

That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for you yourselves know that we are appointed unto this.

Be not therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

But you watch in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fully carry out your ministry.

Necessities

And when I was present with you, and in want, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.

Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Yea, you yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.

Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place;

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, to be content.

Distresses

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Therefore, brethren, we were encouraged over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:

General references

And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.