For our reason for confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that with pure motives and sincerity which are from God -- not by human wisdom but by the grace of God -- we conducted ourselves in the world, and all the more toward you.

how much more glorious will the ministry of the Spirit be?

For if there was glory in the ministry that produced condemnation, how much more does the ministry that produces righteousness excel in glory!

For if what was made ineffective came with glory, how much more has what remains come in glory!

For all these things are for your sake, so that the grace that is including more and more people may cause thanksgiving to increase to the glory of God.

We were encouraged not only by his arrival, but also by the encouragement you gave him, as he reported to us your longing, your mourning, your deep concern for me, so that I rejoiced more than ever.

Therefore we have been encouraged. And in addition to our own encouragement, we rejoiced even more at the joy of Titus, because all of you have refreshed his spirit.

And we are sending with them our brother whom we have tested many times and found eager in many matters, but who now is much more eager than ever because of the great confidence he has in you.

For if I boast somewhat more about our authority that the Lord gave us for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of doing so.

Are they servants of Christ? (I am talking like I am out of my mind!) I am even more so: with much greater labors, with far more imprisonments, with more severe beatings, facing death many times.

Now I will most gladly spend and be spent for your lives! If I love you more, am I to be loved less?