and if ye salute your brethren only, what mighty matter is that? do not even the heathens do the same?

but he denied it before them all, saying, I know nothing of the matter.

When they were in the house, the disciples asked him again concerning this matter, and he said to them,

I have likewise thought proper; most excellent Theophilus, to write to you a particular account; having made a very diligent inquiry into the whole matter,

but the angel said to them, be not afraid, I am only come to bring you great news, which will be matter of joy to you and to the whole world.

now the Scribes and Pharisees were upon the watch to see if he would work a cure upon the sabbath-day, and so have matter of accusation against him.

blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be satisfied. blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall find matter of mirth.

however, let not this be the matter of your rejoicing, that the spirits are subject to you: but rejoice, that you have a title to the joys of heaven.

if then you can't effect so small a matter, why are you disquieted about a much longer time?

so the servant return'd, and related the whole matter to his master, who in resentment said to his servant, go immediately into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring hither the poor, the maimed, the halt, and the blind.

who hearing the noise of a crowd passing by, ask'd what the matter was.

and upon their return from the sepulchre, they related the whole matter to the eleven, and all the other disciples.

When they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some made it a matter of ridicule: others said, we will hear you again upon this subject;

and when Paul was going to speak, Gallio said to the Jews, "if it were a matter of some injustice or something immoral, O Jews, it would be reasonable to hear you out.

but the Greeks in a body fell upon Sosthenes the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the tribunal: whilst Gallio was unconcern'd about the matter.

for if Abraham was justified by works, he had matter of pretension, whereas he had no such claim from God.

so that this is a matter not dependent on him that wills or runs, but on God, who shews mercy.

now if your brother be endanger'd by your eating, you violate the obligations of love: for such a matter as eating, will you risk his life, for whom Christ died?

I have therefore matter of glorying thro' Jesus Christ, with respect to divine service.

as for me, it is a matter of no great concern that I should be called to account by you, or any human authority; not that I am my own judge;

this you have made a matter of levity, instead of being concern'd in discarding him that has done such an action.

but I have not made use of these advantages. neither have I writ this to obtain such maintenance: for I had rather die for want, than be deprived of such matter of glorying.

that the idol, or that what is offered in sacrifice to the idol, is a matter of consequence?

for this is to me matter of glorying, the testimony of my conscience, that without artifice, and with religious sincerity, not by worldly wisdom, but by God's favourable assistance I have behaved my self towards all men, but more particularly to you.

as some of you have already own'd, that I am matter of joy to you, as you will be to me in the day of the Lord Jesus Christ:

'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.

what I say, I say it not as an apostle, but as it were to indulge my vanity in this matter of boasting.

but let every one bring his own work to the test, and then he will have matter of glorying in himself alone, and not in another.

for even they who are circumcised, do not themselves observe the law in other respects; but they dedesire to have you circumcised, that they may have matter of glorying upon that account.

Wherefore I desire that you be not dejected at the tribulations I am under for your sake, which are matter of glory to you.

is it not however some advantage? since in either way, whether it be occasionally, or professedly, Christ is preach'd; which is now, and always will be matter of joy to me.

I sent him on purpose to acquaint you with my circumstances, and give you matter of comfort.

Consider the various tryals that surround you, my brethren, as matter of great joy; knowing this,

Happy is he that reads, and attends to the words of this prophecy, and observes the matter therein contain'd: for the time draws nigh.