When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs."

So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace and was built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.

When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts;

strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God."

Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which he purchased with the blood of his Own.

I myself am satisfied about you, my brethren, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another.

But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith,

Not that I have already obtained this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

We proclaim him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ.

Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.

Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

Obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping watch over your souls, as men who will have to give account. Let them do this with joy, and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you.

The work

For he was counted among us and received his share in this ministry."

But I do not consider my life of any account nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

if service, let us use it in our serving; he who teaches, in his teaching;

This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious?

Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.

All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;

We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited.

Say to Archippus, "See to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it."

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, because he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.

But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

The edifying

from whom the whole body, being joined and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each part, causes the growth of the body and builds itself up in love.

Let us therefore pursue what makes for peace and for mutual edification.

Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves before you? It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and all for your upbuilding, beloved.

Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.

The body

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call,

which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share for the sake of his body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions.

General references

A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers."

But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

do not despise prophecies.