What has a temple of God in common with one of idols? For you are the temple of the living God, as God has said: I will dwell in them, and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

for I testify that according to their power, and beyond their power, they gave voluntarily,

beseeching us, with much entreaty, that they might give, and take part in the ministering to the saints;

and they did this, not only as we had hoped, but they gave them selves first to the Lord, and then to us, through the will of God;

If it is necessary to speak of Titus, he is my partner and fellow-worker for you; if our brethren are spoken of, they are the apostles of the churches, the glory of Christ.

(since through the proof which this service gives, they glorify God for your acknowledged subjection to the gospel of Christ, and for the liberality of your contribution for them, and for all;)

and in their prayer for you, since they have strong affection for you on account of the eminent grace of God that is in you.

For we do not presume to rank or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves: but they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with them selves, have no understanding.

But what I am -doing I will also continue to do, that I may cut off occasion from those who desire an occasion, that in what they boast, they may be found even as we.

Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they of the posterity of Abraham? So am I.

Are they ministers of Christ? (I say it foolishly,) I am above them. In labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths often.

lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn over many of those who have already sinned, and have not repented of the uncleanness and lewdness and wantonness which they have committed.