Also set his seal upon us, and gave us his Spirit in our hearts as a pledge of future blessings.

But all this is the work of God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave us the Ministry of Reconciliation--

In addition to the encouragement that this gave us, we were made far happier still by the happiness of Titus for his heart has been cheered by you all.

And that, not only in the way we had expected; but first they gave themselves to the Lord, and to us also, in accordance with God's will.

(As Scripture says--'He scattered broadcast, he gave to the poor; His righteousness continues for ever.'

Even if I boast extravagantly about our authority--which the Lord gave us for building up your faith and not for overthrowing it--still I have no reason to be ashamed.

This is my reason for writing as I am now doing, while I am away from you, so that, when I am with you, I may not act harshly in the exercise of the authority which the Lord gave me--and gave me for building up and not for pulling down.