All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;

that is, God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord.

and not only that, but he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us in this gracious work which we are carrying on, for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will.

You look at things as they are outwardly. If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ's, let him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ's, so also are we.

For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends.

And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

For you put up with anyone if he makes slaves of you, or preys upon you, or takes advantage of you, or exalts himself, or strikes you in the face.