When therefore they had dined, Jesus says to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He says to him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I am attached to thee. He says to him, Feed my lambs.

The assemblies then throughout the whole of Judaea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being edified and walking in the fear of the Lord, and were increased through the comfort of the Holy Spirit.

who, having arrived and seeing the grace of God, rejoiced, and exhorted all with purpose of heart to abide with the Lord;

establishing the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to abide in the faith, and that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God.

Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, wherein the Holy Spirit has set you as overseers, to shepherd the assembly of God, which he has purchased with the blood of his own.

But I am persuaded, my brethren, I myself also, concerning you, that yourselves also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

But to each the manifestation of the Spirit is given for profit.

Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us purify ourselves from every pollution of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in God's fear.

and having confidence of this, I know that I shall remain and abide along with you all, for your progress and joy in faith;

Not that I have already obtained the prize, or am already perfected; but I pursue, if also I may get possession of it, seeing that also I have been taken possession of by Christ Jesus.

whom we announce, admonishing every man, and teaching every man, in all wisdom, to the end that we may present every man perfect in Christ.

Wherefore encourage one another, and build up each one the other, even as also ye do.

Wherefore, leaving the word of the beginning of the Christ, let us go on to what belongs to full growth, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and faith in God,

Obey your leaders, and be submissive; for they watch over your souls as those that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not groaning, for this would be unprofitable for you.

The work

for he was numbered amongst us, and had received a part in this service.

But I make no account of my life as dear to myself, so that I finish my course, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the glad tidings of the grace of God.

or service, let us occupy ourselves in service; or he that teaches, in teaching;

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

how shall not rather the ministry of the Spirit subsist in glory?

Therefore, having this ministry, as we have had mercy shewn us, we faint not.

and all things are of the God who has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and given to us the ministry of that reconciliation:

giving no manner of offence in anything, that the ministry be not blamed;

And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, to the end that thou fulfil it.

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me power, that he has counted me faithful, appointing to ministry him

But thou, be sober in all things, bear evils, do the work of an evangelist, fill up the full measure of thy ministry.

The edifying

from whom the whole body, fitted together, and connected by every joint of supply, according to the working in its measure of each one part, works for itself the increase of the body to its self-building up in love.

So then let us pursue the things which tend to peace, and things whereby one shall build up another.

Let each one of us please his neighbour with a view to what is good, to edification.

He that speaks with a tongue edifies himself; but he that prophesies edifies the assembly.

Ye have long been supposing that we excuse ourselves to you: we speak before God in Christ; and all things, beloved, for your building up.

Wherefore encourage one another, and build up each one the other, even as also ye do.

The body

There is one body and one Spirit, as ye have been also called in one hope of your calling;

which is his body, the fulness of him who fills all in all:

Now, I rejoice in sufferings for you, and I fill up that which is behind of the tribulations of Christ in my flesh, for his body, which is the assembly;

General references

But they will not follow a stranger, but will flee from him, because they know not the voice of strangers.

But to each the manifestation of the Spirit is given for profit.

do not lightly esteem prophecies;