But I will tell you what I think about it. For this is the best way to deal with you, for you were the first not only to do anything about this, but to want to do anything, and that was last year.

Everyone must give what he has made up his mind to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion; God loves a man who is glad to give.

But I mean this as a concession, not a command.

By occasion

I must tell you, brothers, how the favor of God has been shown in the churches of Macedonia,

for I know how willing you are to help in it; I boast of you for it to the people in Macedonia, telling them that Greece has been ready since last year, and your enthusiasm has been a stimulus to most of them.

But if their false step has so enriched the world, and their defeat has so enriched the heathen, how much more good the addition of their full number will do!

By observing one another, let us arouse ourselves to rival one another's love and good deeds.

Prove

So you must give proof to them before all the churches of your love, and justify my pride in you.

through my purity of life, my knowledge, my patience, my kindness, my holiness of spirit, my genuine love,

Your love must be genuine. You must hate what is wrong, and hold to what is right.

We must lovingly hold to the truth and grow up into perfect union with him who is the head??hrist himself.

My brothers, what is the good of a man's saying he has faith, if he has no good deeds to show? Can faith save him?

Now that by obeying the truth you have purified your souls for sincere love of the brotherhood, you must love one another intensely and heartily,

But if someone who is rich sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how can he have any love for God in his heart?

General references

"If you really love me, you will observe my commands.

So you must give proof to them before all the churches of your love, and justify my pride in you.

Dear friends, if God has loved us so, we ought to love one another.