Acts 20:24
But I do not consider my life to be of value, as precious to me, [when compared to the importance of] accomplishing my task and the mission I received from the Lord Jesus to declare the good news of God's unearned favor [through Christ].
Acts 21:13
[But] Paul answered, "What are you trying to do [by your] crying and breaking my heart [like this]? [Do you not know that] I am ready, not only to be chained up, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus?"
Acts 1:17
For he was one of our number and shared with us [in the responsibility of] this ministry."
Acts 20:21
[You know how] I testified to both Jews and Greeks [i.e., Gentiles], that they must repent [i.e., change their attitudes and behavior] toward God, and have faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:1
So, having obtained this ministry through [God's] mercy, we do not become discouraged.
Galatians 1:1
[This letter is from] Paul, an apostle, (not from [the authority of] men, or through the [agency] of a man, but by [a direct commission from] Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead).
Titus 1:3
but at the proper time revealed [it] through the message entrusted to me to proclaim, by the commandment of God our Savior.
Acts 9:15
But the Lord replied to him, "Go on your way, for Saul is someone I have especially chosen to carry my name to the [unconverted] Gentiles, kings and the Israelites.
Acts 11:23
When he got there and saw how God was favoring the people [with salvation] he was very happy and [stayed on and] encouraged everyone to remain close to the Lord with a heartfelt purpose.
Acts 14:3
Paul and Barnabas remained there a long time and spoke [the message] boldly for [or, in the power of] the Lord who gave His approval to the message of unearned favor by allowing [miraculous] signs and wonders to be performed by them.
Acts 20:32
"Now I commit you [elders] to God and to the message of His unearned favor which can build you up [spiritually] and provide you with the inheritance [of never ending life], along with others who are [specially] set apart [for God].
Acts 22:21
Then the Lord said to me, 'Go, for I will send you far away from here to the Gentiles.' "
Acts 26:17-18
I will rescue you from the [Jewish] people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them,
Romans 3:24-26
But people are made right with Him as a free gift by His unearned favor, through being bought back [from Satan] by Christ Jesus.
Luke 2:10-11
And the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for look, I am bringing good news that will cause great joy to all people.
John 15:27
And you will give testimony about me [also], because you men have been with me from the beginning [of my ministry]."
John 17:4
I am honoring you [while] on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.
Romans 4:4
Now wages are not considered a gift if the person has to work for them, but [rather] an obligation [of his employer].
Romans 5:20-21
Now the law of Moses was introduced [into the world] in order to cause sin to increase [i.e., it defined many things to be wrong that were previously not regarded as sin]. But with the increase of sin, God's unearned favor increased all the more.
Romans 8:35-39
Who [i.e., what] can separate us from Christ's love [for us]? [i.e., what unfortunate circumstance of life might suggest that Christ does not love us?] Would [it be] trouble? Or distress? Or persecution? Or inadequate food? Or inadequate clothing? Or danger? Or [even] death?
Romans 11:6
And if [they were selected] by God's unearned favor, [then] the choice is not based on the good that people may do. Otherwise, God's favor would not be [really] unearned.
1 Corinthians 9:17-18
For if I preached because [I personally decided] I wanted to, I could claim a reward. But if I did not preach from a personal decision to do so, then it would be because I was entrusted with the task [by God].
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Do you not know that [although] everyone runs in a race, only one person wins the prize? So, you should run in order to win.
1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my dearly loved brothers, stand firm [in the faith]; do not be moved [from your commitment]. Always do your best to work for the Lord, since you know that your labor in the Lord's [service] is not for nothing.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
We are afflicted in every way, but are not crushed; [we are] perplexed, but not to the point of despair;
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Therefore, we do not get discouraged, for though our physical body is decaying, yet our inner person is being renewed daily.
2 Corinthians 5:8
We are encouraged, I say, and would rather be away from our body and at home with the Lord.
2 Corinthians 6:4-10
But, as ministers of God, we [try to] commend ourselves [to others] in every way. [We do this] by [our] great steadfastness in troubles, hardships and difficulties.
2 Corinthians 7:4
I have great confidence in talking to you; I have great pride in you and I am full of encouragement [over you]. In all of our troubles I am overflowing with joy.
2 Corinthians 12:10
So, I am pleased to [endure] weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and difficulties, [all] for Christ's sake. For when I am weak [physically], then I am strong [spiritually].
Ephesians 1:6
so that we would praise His glorious, unearned favor, which was freely given to us through the One whom God loved [i.e., Christ].
Ephesians 2:4-10
But God, who has great love for us and abundant mercy [toward us],
Ephesians 3:13
So, I am asking you people not to become discouraged over my sufferings on your behalf, for they are for your benefit [eventually].
Philippians 1:20-23
It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not have to be ashamed about anything, but that I will have the courage, [both] now and always, [to so live] that Christ will be exalted [i.e., honored] in my body, whether I live or die.
Philippians 2:17
But even if I am poured out like a drink offering [See Ex. 29:38-41] on the sacrifice and service produced by your faith, I am glad and will rejoice with all of you. [Note: Paul here likens the possible pouring out of his blood to the wine and oil of the Old Testament sacrifice, which is then likened to the Philippians' faithful service to God].
Philippians 3:13-15
Brothers, I consider that I, myself, have not yet taken hold [of Christ's ultimate purpose for me]. But there is one thing that I am doing; I am forgetting about my past [See verses 5-7], and reaching forward to what lies ahead.
Colossians 1:24
Now I rejoice in [spite of] my sufferings for your sake, and I am filling up [i.e., completing] in my physical body what was lacking in the afflictions Christ endured for His body's sake, the church.
1 Thessalonians 2:2
But [even though] we had already suffered and been mistreated at Philippi [See Acts 16:19-24], as you people know, we had the boldness, [with help] from God, to tell you His message in spite of much struggle [i.e., opposition].
1 Thessalonians 3:3
so that no one would be shaken by [having to experience] these difficult times. [See 2:14]. For you yourselves know that we are destined to have such experiences.
2 Timothy 1:12
For I am suffering these things [See verse 8] for this reason [i.e., because of being a Gospel preacher]. Yet I am not ashamed because I know whom I have believed in [i.e., Jesus], and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him [i.e., Paul's spiritual well-being] until that day [i.e., the day of judgment].
2 Timothy 3:11
persecutions and sufferings. You know what kind of things happened to me at Antioch, Iconium and Lystra [See Acts 13:13-14:23], and what [severe] persecutions I experienced [there]. But the Lord rescued me from all of them.
2 Timothy 4:6-8
For I am already being "poured out like a drink offering," and the time for me to leave has come. [Note: Paul here likens the prospect of shedding his blood for the work of Christ to the pouring of wine and oil on an Old Testament sacrifice].
2 Timothy 4:17
But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message could be fully proclaimed and that all the Gentiles could hear it. And I was rescued from the lion's mouth. [Note: This is probably a figure of speech indicating that Paul had escaped some immediate danger. See Psa. 22:20-21].
Titus 2:11
For God's unearned favor has appeared, bringing salvation to all people [i.e., in the coming of Christ].
Titus 3:4-7
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior toward mankind appeared,
Hebrews 2:3-4
how will we escape [punishment] if we neglect such a great salvation? [For it was] first announced [to people] by the Lord and then confirmed to us [i.e., the writer and other Christians] by those who heard Him [i.e., the original apostles].
Hebrews 10:34
For you showed sympathy for those who were in prison and accepted it joyfully when your [own] possessions were taken away, [because] you knew that you yourselves had a better and more permanent possession [in heaven].
Hebrews 12:1-3
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a large crowd of spectators [Note: Christians are pictured here as being in a crowded arena, performing in the games], we should lay aside every [excessive] weight and sin that so easily entangle us, and with perseverance, we should run the race [of life] that lies before us.
1 Peter 5:12
This brief message is being inscribed [or delivered] by Silvanus, whom I consider to be a faithful brother. [In it] I am exhorting you and giving testimony that it is a message about God's genuine unearned favor upon you. So, continue to follow [and obey] what it says.
1 John 3:16
Here is how we can know what genuine love really is: It was [demonstrated by] Jesus laying down His life [on the cross] for us. And [because of that] we [too] should [be willing to] lay down our lives for [the sake of helping] our brothers [and sisters].
Revelation 12:11
And they [i.e., the brothers. See 6:9-11] gained the victory over Satan by the blood of the Lamb, and by [remaining true to] the message of their testimony. And they did not love their lives [so much that they refused] to die [for their faith].