For if we have lost our minds, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you.

Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation,

namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their wrongdoings against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin in our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Their Ministry Commended

And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain—

but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in difficulties,

in the word of truth, and in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left,

Or what agreement does the temple of God have with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I will dwell among them and walk among them; And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

Paul Reveals His Heart

Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let’s cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

But God, who comforts the discouraged, comforted us by the arrival of Titus;

I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us.

For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.

For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment of wrong! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter.

So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the offender nor for the sake of the one offended, but that your earnestness in our behalf might be made known to you in the sight of God.

Great Generosity

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

and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.

But thanks be to God who puts the same earnestness in your behalf in the heart of Titus.

God Gives Most

For it is superfluous for me to write to you about this ministry to the saints;

Each one must do just as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

And God is able to make all grace overflow to you, so that, always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;

you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.

For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.

Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all,

while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you.