The Mission of Titus

8:16 But thanks be to God who put in the heart of Titus the same devotion24 I have for you, 8:17 because he not only accepted our request, but since he was very eager,25 he is coming26 to you of his own accord.27 8:18 And we are sending28 along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his work in spreading the gospel.29 8:19 In addition,30 this brother31 has also been chosen by the churches as our traveling companion as we administer this generous gift32 to the glory of the Lord himself and to show our readiness to help.33 8:20 We did this34 as a precaution so that no one should blame us in regard to this generous gift we are administering. 8:21 For we are concerned about what is right not only before the Lord but also before men.35 8:22 And we are sending36 with them our brother whom we have tested many times and found eager in many matters, but who now is much more eager than ever because of the great confidence he has in you. 8:23 If there is any question37 about Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; if there is any question about our brothers, they are messengers38 of the churches, a glory to Christ. 8:24 Therefore show39 them openly before the churches the proof of your love and of our pride in you.40

Preparing the Gift

9:1 For it is not necessary1 for me to write you about this service2 to the saints, 9:2 because I know your eagerness to help.3 I keep boasting to the Macedonians about this eagerness of yours,4 that Achaia has been ready to give5 since last year, and your zeal to participate6 has stirred up most of them.7 9:3 But I am sending8 these brothers so that our boasting about you may not be empty in this case, so that you may be ready9 just as I kept telling them. 9:4 For if any of the Macedonians should come with me and find that you are not ready to give, we would be humiliated10 (not to mention you) by this confidence we had in you.11 9:5 Therefore I thought it necessary to urge these brothers to go to you in advance and to arrange ahead of time the generous contribution12 you had promised, so this may be ready as a generous gift13 and not as something you feel forced to do.14 9:6 My point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously15 will also reap generously. 9:7 Each one of you should give16 just as he has decided in his heart,17 not reluctantly18 or under compulsion,19 because God loves a cheerful giver. 9:8 And God is able to make all grace overflow20 to you so that because you have enough21 of everything in every way at all times, you will overflow22 in every good work. 9:9 Just as it is written, “He23 has scattered widely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness remains forever.”24 9:10 Now God25 who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your supply of seed and will cause the harvest of your righteousness to grow. 9:11 You will be enriched in every way so that you may be generous on every occasion,26 which is producing through us thanksgiving to God, 9:12 because the service of this ministry is not only providing for27 the needs of the saints but is also overflowing with many thanks to God. 9:13 Through the evidence28 of this service29 they will glorify God because of your obedience to your confession in the gospel of Christ and the generosity of your sharing30 with them and with everyone. 9:14 And in their prayers on your behalf they long for you because of the extraordinary grace God has shown to you.31 9:15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!32

Paul’s Authority from the Lord

10:1 Now I, Paul, appeal to you1 personally2 by the meekness and gentleness3 of Christ (I who am meek4 when present among5 you, but am full of courage6 toward you when away!)—10:2 now I ask that when I am present I may not have to be bold with the confidence that (I expect) I will dare to use against some who consider us to be behaving7 according to human standards.8 10:3 For though we live9 as human beings,10 we do not wage war according to human standards,11 10:4 for the weapons of our warfare are not human weapons,12 but are made powerful by God13 for tearing down strongholds.14 We tear down arguments15 10:5 and every arrogant obstacle16 that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to make it obey17 Christ. 10:6 We are also ready to punish every act of disobedience,18 whenever your obedience is complete. 10:7 You are looking at outward appearances.19 If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should reflect on this again: Just as he himself belongs to Christ, so too do we. 10:8 For if I boast somewhat more about our authority that the Lord gave us20 for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of doing so.21 10:9 I do not want to seem as though I am trying to terrify you with my letters, 10:10 because some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but his physical presence is weak22 and his speech is of no account.”23 10:11 Let such a person consider this: What we say24 by letters when we are absent, we also are in actions when we are present.