with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more
diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you.
[23] Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my
partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messengers of the
churches, and the glory of Christ.
[24] Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of
your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.
2Cor.9
[1] For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:
[2] For I know
the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a
year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.
[3] Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of
you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:
[4] Lest haply if they of Macedonia
come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident
boasting.
[5] Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you,
and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as
a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.
[6] But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap
also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
[7] Every man according as he
purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
[8]
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things,
may abound to every good work:
[9] (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his
righteousness remaineth for ever.
[10] Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread
for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
[11] Being
enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
[12] For the
administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many
thanksgivings unto God;
[13] Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed
subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;
[14]
And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.
[15] Thanks be
unto God for his unspeakable gift.
2Cor.10
[1] Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am
base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:
[2] But I beseech you, that I may not be bold
when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as
if we walked according to the flesh.
[3] For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
[4]
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong
holds;)
[5] Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of
God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
[6] And having in a readiness
to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
[7] Do ye look on things after the outward
appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as
he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.
[8] For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority,
which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:
[9]
That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.
[10] For his letters, say they, are weighty and
powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.
[11] Let such an one think this,
that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are
present.
[12] For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend
themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves,
are not wise.
[13] But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of
the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.
[14] For we stretch not
ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you
also in preaching the gospel of Christ:
[15] Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other
men's labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according
to our rule abundantly,
[16] To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another