But *I* have prayed for *you* that your faith may not fail, and you, when at last you have come back to your true self, must strengthen your brethren."

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these others do?" "Yes, Master," was his answer; "you know that you are dear to me." "Then feed my lambs," replied Jesus.

The Church, however, throughout the whole of Judaea, Galilee and Samaria, had peace and was spiritually built up; and grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord and receiving encouragement from the Holy Spirit.

On getting there he was delighted to see the grace which God had bestowed; and he encouraged them all to remain, with fixed resolve, faithful to the Lord.

Everywhere they strengthened the disciples by encouraging them to hold fast to the faith, and warned them saying, "It is through many afflictions that we must make our way into the Kingdom of God."

"Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock among which the Holy Spirit has placed you to take the oversight for Him and act as shepherds to the Church of God, which He has bought with His own blood.

But as to you, brethren, I am convinced-- yes, I Paul am convinced--that, even apart from my teaching, you are already full of goodness of heart, and enriched with complete Christian knowledge, and are also competent to instruct one another.

But to each of us a manifestation of the Spirit has been granted for the common good.

Having therefore these promises, beloved friends, let us purify ourselves from all defilement of body and of spirit, and secure perfect holiness through the fear of God.

I am convinced of this, and I know that I shall remain, and shall go on working side by side with you all, to promote your progress and joy in the faith;

I do not say that I have already won the race or have already reached perfection. But I am pressing on, striving to lay hold of the prize for which also Christ has laid hold of me.

Him we preach, admonishing every one and instructing every one, with all possible wisdom, so that we may bring every one into God's presence, made perfect through Christ.

Therefore encourage one another, and let each one help to strengthen his friend, as in fact you do.

Therefore leaving elementary instruction about the Christ, let us advance to mature manhood and not be continually re-laying a foundation of repentance from lifeless works and of faith in God,

Obey your leaders and be submissive to them. For they are keeping watch over your souls as those who will have to give account; that they may do this with joy and not with lamentation. For that would be of no advantage to you.

The work

For Judas was reckoned as one of our number, and a share in this ministry was allotted to him."

But even the sacrifice of my life I count as nothing, if only I may perfect my earthly course, and be faithful to the duty which the Lord Jesus has entrusted to me of proclaiming, as of supreme importance, the Good News of God's grace.

if it is the gift of administration, let the administrator exercise a sound judgement in his duties.

As for us Apostles, let any one take this view of us--we are Christ's officers, and stewards of God's secret truths.

will not the service of the Spirit be far more glorious?

Therefore, being engaged in this service and being mindful of the mercy which has been shown us, we are not cowards.

And all this is from God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and has appointed us to serve in the ministry of reconciliation.

We endeavour to give people no cause for stumbling in anything, lest the work we are doing should fall into discredit.

And tell Archippus to discharge carefully the duties devolving upon him as a servant of the Lord.

I am thankful to Him who made me strong--even Christ Jesus our Lord--because He has judged me to be faithful and has put me into His service,

But as for you, you must exercise habitual self-control, and not live a self-indulgent life, but do the duty of an evangelist and fully discharge the obligations of your office.

The edifying

Dependent on Him, the whole body--its various parts closely fitting and firmly adhering to one another-- grows by the aid of every contributory link, with power proportioned to the need of each individual part, so as to build itself up in a spirit of love.

Therefore let us aim at whatever makes for peace and mutual upbuilding of character.

Let each of us endeavour to please his fellow Christian, aiming at a blessing calculated to build him up.

He who speaks in an unknown tongue does good to himself, but he who prophesies does good to the Church.

You are imagining, all this time, that we are making our defense at your bar. In reality it is as in God's presence and in communion with Christ that we speak; but, dear friends, it is all with a view to your progress in goodness.

Therefore encourage one another, and let each one help to strengthen his friend, as in fact you do.

The body

There is but one body and but one Spirit, as also when you were called you had one and the same hope held out to you.

the completeness of Him who everywhere fills the universe with Himself.

Now I can find joy amid my sufferings for you, and I fill up in my own person whatever is lacking in Christ's afflictions on behalf of His Body, the Church.

General references

But a stranger they will by no means follow, but will run away from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers."

But to each of us a manifestation of the Spirit has been granted for the common good.

Do not think meanly of utterances of prophecy;