Part 7

009:008 And God is able to bestow every blessing on you in abundance, so that richly enjoying all sufficiency at all times, you may have ample means for all good works.

009:009 As it is written, "He has scattered abroad, he has given to the poor, his almsgiving remains for ever."

009:010 And God who continually supplies seed for the sower and bread for eating, will supply you with seed and multiply it, and will cause your almsgiving to yield a plentiful harvest.

009:011 May you be abundantly enriched so as to show all liberality, such as through our instrumentality brings thanksgiving to God.

009:012 For the service rendered in this sacred gift not only helps to relieve the wants of God's people, but it is also rich in its results and awakens a chorus of thanksgiving to God.

009:013 For, by the practical proof of it which you exhibit in this service, you cause God to be extolled for your fidelity to your professed adherence to the Good News of the Christ, and for the liberality of your contributions for them and for all who are in need,

009:014 while they themselves also in supplications on your behalf pour out their longing love towards you because of God's surpassing grace which is resting upon you.

009:015 Thanks be to God for His unspeakably precious gift!

010:001 But as for me Paul, I entreat you by the gentleness and self-forgetfulness of Christ--I who when among you have not an imposing personal presence, but when absent am fearlessly outspoken in dealing with you.

010:002 I beseech you not to compel me when present to make a bold display of the confidence with which I reckon I shall show my `courage' against some who reckon that we are guided by worldly principles.

010:003 For, though we are still living in the world, it is no worldly warfare that we are waging.

010:004 The weapons with which we fight are not human weapons, but are mighty for God in overthrowing strong fortresses.

010:005 For we overthrow arrogant `reckonings,' and every stronghold that towers high in defiance of the knowledge of God, and we carry off every thought as if into slavery-- into subjection to Christ;

010:006 while we hold ourselves in readiness to punish every act of disobedience, as soon as ever you as a Church have fully shown your obedience.

010:007 Is it outward appearances you look to? If any man is confident as regards himself that he specially belongs to Christ, let him consider again and reflect that just as he belongs to Christ, so also do we.

010:008 If, however, I were to boast more loudly of our Apostolic authority, which the Lord has given us that we may build you up, not pull you down, I should have no reason to feel ashamed.

010:009 Let it not seem as if I wanted to frighten you by my letters.

010:010 For they say "His letters are authoritative and forcible, but his personal presence is unimpressive, and as for eloquence, he has none."

010:011 Let such people take this into their reckoning, that whatever we are in word by our letters when absent, the same are we also in act when present.

010:012 For we have not the `courage' to rank ourselves among, or compare ourselves with, certain persons distinguished by their self-commendation. Yet they are not wise, measuring themselves, as they do, by one another and comparing themselves with one another.

010:013 We, however, will not exceed due limits in our boasting, but will keep within the limits of the sphere which God has assigned to us as a limit, which reaches even to you.

010:014 For there is no undue stretch of authority on our part, as though it did not extend to you. We pressed on even to Corinth, and were the first to proclaim to you the Good News of the Christ.

010:015 We do not exceed our due limits, and take credit for other men's labours; but we entertain the hope that, as your faith grows, we shall gain promotion among you-- still keeping within our own sphere--promotion to a larger field of labour,

010:016 and shall tell the Good News in the districts beyond you, not boasting in another man's sphere about work already done by him.

010:017 But "whoever boasts, let his boast be in the Lord."

010:018 For it is not the man that commends himself who is really approved, but he whom the Lord commends.

011:001 I wish you could have borne with a little foolish boasting on my part. Nay, do bear with me.

011:002 I am jealous over you with God's own jealousy. For I have betrothed you to Christ to present you to Him like a faithful bride to her one husband.