And they did this not just as we had hoped, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and to us by the will of God.

And with this confidence I intended to come to you first so that you would get a second opportunity to see us,

For we were not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach as far as you, because we were the first to reach as far as you with the gospel about Christ.

So here is my opinion on this matter: It is to your advantage, since you made a good start last year both in your giving and your desire to give,

who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a down payment.

For indeed, what had been glorious now has no glory because of the tremendously greater glory of what replaced it.

For if the eagerness is present, the gift itself is acceptable according to whatever one has, not according to what he does not have.

Thus we urged Titus that, just as he had previously begun this work, so also he should complete this act of kindness for you.