When therefore they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith to him, Yes, Lord! thou knowest that I love thee. He saith to him, Feed my lambs.

Then had the churches peace through all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, being edified; and walking in the fear of God, and in the consolation of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

Who, when he arrived there, and beheld the grace of God, rejoiced, and exhorted them all, with full purpose of heart to adhere to the Lord.

strengthening the souls of the brethren, exhorting them to abide firm in the faith, and that through many afflictions we must pass into the kingdom of heaven.

Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you bishops, to feed as shepherds the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood.

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

Now to every one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for usefulness.

HAVING therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

And being so persuaded, I know that I shall stay and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith;

Not that I have already attained, or am now perfect: but I pursue, that I may overtake that for which also by his apprehension of me I am destined by Christ Jesus.

whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus;

Wherefore comfort one another, and edify one another, as also ye do.

WHEREFORE, desisting from initiatory discourse respecting Christ, let us advance towards perfection; not again laying a foundation of repentance from dead works, and faith in God,

Obey your presidents, and be subject to them: for they are vigilant for your souls, as being to render an account, that they may do it with joy, and not groaning: for that would be disadvantageous for you.

The work

For he was reckoned of our number, and had obtained an appointment to this ministry.

Yet I make no account of any [suffering], nor regard my life as of any value to myself, farther than as I may finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord, to testify fully the Gospel of the grace of God.

or if the deacon's office, be active in the service; or he that teacheth, in teaching;

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

how much more will not the ministry of the Spirit be attended with glory?

THEREFORE having this ministry, as we have obtained mercy, we faint not;

But all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:

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

And I render thanks to him who hath strengthened me, even to Christ Jesus our Lord, that he hath counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;

But watch thou in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fully discharge thy ministry.

The edifying

From whom the whole body nicely joined together, and firmly connected by every joint of exact proportion, according to the energy exerted in the measure of every several part, causeth the increase of the body unto the edification of itself in love.

Well then, let us earnestly pursue the things that conduce to peace, and the things which are for mutual edification.

Let every one of us gratify his neighbour in that which is good for his edification.

He that speaketh in an unknown tongue, edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth, edifieth the church.

Think ye that we are again making an apology to you? In the sight of God speak we in Christ: but all things, beloved, for your edification.

Wherefore comfort one another, and edify one another, as also ye do.

The body

There is one body, and one spirit, even as ye have been called to one hope of your calling;

which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh the measure of afflictions for Christ which remains to be endured for his body, which is the church,

General references

And a stranger will they not follow, but will fly from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

Now to every one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for usefulness.

Despise not prophesyings.