He must grow greater and greater, but I less and less."

But there is no comparison between God's gift and that offense. For if one man's offense made the mass of mankind die, God's mercy and his gift given through the favor of the one man Jesus Christ have far more powerfully affected mankind.

Then law slipped in, and multiplied the offense. But greatly as sin multiplied, God's mercy has far surpassed it,

Then what shall we conclude? Are we to continue to sin to increase the spread of mercy?

So if we have already been made upright by his death, it is far more certain that through him we shall be saved from God's anger!

If, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, it is far more certain that now that we are reconciled we shall be saved through sharing in his life!

For if that one man's offense made death reign through that one man, all the more will those who receive God's overflowing mercy and his gift of uprightness live and reign through the one individual Jesus Christ.

and like new-born babes crave the pure spiritual milk that will make you grow up to salvation,

You must grow in the blessing and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Glory to him now and forever.

We must lovingly hold to the truth and grow up into perfect union with him who is the head??hrist himself.

Now, brothers, we ask and entreat you, in the name of the Lord Jesus, to live as you learned from us that you must live, to please God??s indeed you are doing, only do it more and more.

so that the lives you live may be worthy of your Master and wholly pleasing to him, and you may be fruitful in all kinds of good deeds, and may grow into fuller knowledge of God.

The apostles said to the Master, "Give us more faith."

I do not indulge in extravagant boasts over work done by others, but I do hope that as your faith increases, my influence may be immensely enlarged through you,

We always have to thank God for you, brothers, as it is right that we should, because your faith is growing so wonderfully and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.

I am convinced of this, and so I know that I shall stay on and serve you all, to help you to develop and to be glad in your faith.

May the Lord make your love for one another and for all men wide and full like my love for you,

and you are doing it to all the brothers all over Macedonia. But we do entreat you, brothers, to surpass yourselves

who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the coming age eternal life."