We do not give anyone an occasion for taking an offense in anything, so that no fault may be found with our ministry.

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

Now the one who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment.

Now we make known to you, brothers and sisters, the grace of God given to the churches of Macedonia,

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.

But thanks be to God who put in the heart of Titus the same devotion I have for you,

Just as it is written, “He has scattered widely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness remains forever.”

We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to be proud of us, so that you may be able to answer those who take pride in outward appearance and not in what is in the heart.

And all these things are from God who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and who has given us the ministry of reconciliation.

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,

For if I boast somewhat more about our authority that the Lord gave us for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of doing so.

even because of the extraordinary character of the revelations. Therefore, so that I would not become arrogant, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to trouble me – so that I would not become arrogant.

Because of this I am writing these things while absent, so that when I arrive I may not have to deal harshly with you by using my authority – the Lord gave it to me for building up, not for tearing down!