If they have a question about something, they should ask their own husbands at home. It is shameful for women to speak in church meetings.

I am the least important of the apostles. I’m not even fit to be called an apostle. I tried to destroy God’s church.

The Offering for the Lord’s People

Now I want to deal with the offering of money for the Lord’s people. Do what I told the churches in Galatia to do.

Final Greetings

The churches in Asia Minor send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly because of the Lord’s love. So does the church that meets in their house.

I, Paul, am writing this letter. I am an apostle of Christ Jesus just as God planned. Timothy our brother joins me in writing. We are sending this letter to you, the members of God’s church in Corinth. It is also for all God’s holy people everywhere in Achaia.

Paul Has Joy When the Church Turns Away From Sin

Make room for us in your hearts. We haven’t done anything wrong to anyone. We haven’t caused anyone to sin. We haven’t taken advantage of anyone.

Giving Freely to the Lord’s People

Brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given to the churches in Macedonia.

Along with Titus, we are sending another brother. All the churches praise him for his service in telling the good news.

He was also chosen by the churches to go with us as we bring the offering. We are in charge of it. We want to honor the Lord himself. We want to show how ready we are to help.

Titus is my helper. He and I work together among you. Our brothers are messengers from the churches. They honor Christ.

So show them that you really love them. Show them why we are proud of you. Then the churches can see it.

Paul Speaks Up for His Service to the Church

Christ is humble and free of pride. Because of this, I make my appeal to you. I, Paul, am the one you call “shy” when I am face to face with you. But when I am away from you, you think I am “bold” toward you.

I received help from other churches so I could serve you. This was almost like robbing them.

Besides everything else, every day I am concerned about all the churches. It is a very heavy load.

How were you less important than the other churches? The only difference was that I didn’t cause you any expense. Forgive me for that wrong!

All the brothers and sisters who are with me join me in writing. We are sending this letter to you, the members of the churches in Galatia.

You have heard how I lived earlier in my Jewish way of life. With all my strength I attacked the church of God. I tried to destroy it.

The members of Christ’s churches in Judea did not know me in a personal way.

James, Peter and John are respected as pillars in the church. They recognized the special grace given to me. So they shook my hand and the hand of Barnabas. They wanted to show they accepted us. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles. They would go to the Jews.

God placed all things under Christ’s rule. He appointed him to be ruler over everything for the church.

The church is Christ’s body and is filled by Christ. He fills everything in every way.

He wanted the rulers and authorities in the heavenly world to come to know his great wisdom. The church would make it known to them.

Give him glory in the church and in Christ Jesus. Give him glory through all time and for ever and ever. Amen.

So Christ himself gave the gift of the apostles to the church. He gave the prophets and those who preach the good news. And he also gave the pastors and teachers as a gift to the church.

The husband is the head of the wife, just as Christ is the head of the church. The church is Christ’s body. He is its Savior.