why should not this spiritual service be attended with much greater splendor?

I am glad of it now, not because you had such sorrow, but because your sorrow led you to repentance, for you took your sorrow in accordance with the will of God, so that you should not suffer any loss at all from me.

so that I insisted that Titus, as he had formerly commenced it, should bring to completion this gracious contribution among you too.

Such people should consider this: When I arrive for action I shall do exactly what I said I would in my letters when far away.

For I am not overstepping my authority as though I should not reach you, for I was the very first to reach as far as you with the good news of Christ.

But I am praying God that you may never do anything wrong, not to show that I am standing the test, but that you should continue doing right, though I should fail to stand the test.