now it is God who keeps you fix'd in the doctrine of Christ; who has appointed me,

to those unbelievers, whose minds the God of this world has so blinded, that the glorious lustre of the gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, does not enlighten them.

for it is God that has reconciled the world to himself, by Jesus Christ, by not imputing their sins to them; and hath committed to us the gospel of reconciliation.

Are you not become associates with infidels? but what affinity is there between virtue and vice? and what communication has light with darkness?

what concord can Christ maintain with Belial? what concern has a believer with an infidel?

and what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God has said, "I will dwell with, and walk among them; I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Receive me as one who has wronged no man, who has corrupted no man, who has defrauded no man.

'tis observable, even this religious sorrow which you had, what solicitude has it not wrought in you, what apologies, what indignation, what fear, what desire, what zeal, yea, what revenge! so that by your whole conduct, ye have shown your selves to be clear from guilt in this matter.

for I know your generous propensity, and I mention'd it with applause to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a year ago; so that your zeal has influenc'd many others.

and you will have the advantage of their earnest prayers, for the exceeding favour God has bestowed upon them by you:

I will not boast of any thing done without my province, but confine myself within that line by which God has mark'd out my bounds, and in which you are included.

if my language is inelegant, my knowledge is not contemptible; but has been fully display'd among you on all occasions.

since you demand a proof of my mission from Christ, who with regard to you has shown no want of power among you.