The Ministry of Reconciliation

¹¹ Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord,^(A) we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.^(B)

²³ save others by snatching them from the fire;^(A) to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.^[a](B)

³¹ It is a dreadful thing^(A) to fall into the hands^(B) of the living God.^(C)

²⁴ And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.^{(A) 25} Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,^{(B) 26} and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil,^(C) who has taken them captive to do his will.

¹⁵ Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life^(A) was thrown into the lake of fire.

³ For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives,^(A) nor are we trying to trick you.^{(B) 4} On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel.^(C) We are not trying to please people^(D) but God, who tests our hearts.^{(E) 5} You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed^(F)—God is our witness.^{(G) 6} We were not looking for praise from people,^(H) not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles^(I) of Christ we could have asserted our authority.^{(J) 7} Instead, we were like young children^[a] among you.

Just as a nursing mother cares for her children,^{(K) 8} so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God^(L) but our lives as well.^{(M) 9} Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked^(N) night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone^(O) while we preached the gospel of God to you. ¹⁰ You are witnesses,^(P) and so is God,^(Q) of how holy,^(R) righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. ¹¹ For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children,^{(S) 12} encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy^(T) of God, who calls^(U) you into his kingdom and glory.

6 As God’s co-workers^(A) we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.^(B)

²⁰ We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors,^(A) as though God were making his appeal through us.^(B) We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.^(C)

Present Weakness and Resurrection Life

4 Therefore, since through God’s mercy^(A) we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.^{(B) 2} Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways;^(C) we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God.^(D) On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience^(E) in the sight of God.