^15 [a]What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me.

^2 (A)through whom also we have access by faith into this grace ^(B)in which we stand, and ^(C)rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

The Outworking of Love

^16 (A)By this we know love, ^(B)because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. ¹⁷ But ^(C)whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?

¹⁸ My little children, ^(D)let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

¹³ For I bear him witness that he has a great ^[a]zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.

¹³ and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. ^(A)Be at peace among yourselves.

⁸ So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased ^(A)to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also ^(B)our own lives, because you had become dear to us.

⁴ But ^(A)let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and ^(B)not in another.

²² But ^(A)the fruit of the Spirit is ^(B)love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, ^(C)goodness, ^(D)faithfulness,

^19 (A)My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you,

^14 (A)that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the ^(B)Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive ^(C)the promise of the Spirit through faith.