Paul's exhortation and the Macedonian example

Of God; for we do not even say that the law is not from God, even if it reached its end. He says the proclamation is a ministry of reconciliation, through which believing ones shall be reconciled to God (2 Cor 5:18-19). Thus it must be understood: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ. Thus then it must be grasped: that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, which is to say through Christ (2 Cor 5:19).

Now we are ambassadors instead of Christ, entreating you by God through us (2 Cor 5:20). Then also he shows that he is grieved because of those keeping the law; for on account of Christ, he says, not on account of the law (2 Cor 5:20). And God entreats through us as through Christ, of whom we are ministers and servants (2 Cor 5:20).

He showed from here how he is grieved because of those striving who keep the law; for keeping the law, he says, we have become sinners (2 Cor 5:21). Christ has become sin, so that he might deliver us from sin (2 Cor 5:21). And God provided these things; receive the reconciliation, turning away from keeping the legalities (2 Cor 6:1).

It was permitted to the apostles not only to entreat but also to cooperate and suffer with them toward salvation, so that they might sincerely receive the grace from God (2 Cor 6:4). As an unbreakable foundation, endurance is pre-laid, which enduring, it is easy to face every trial (2 Cor 6:7).

The weapons of righteousness: the right hand to do good works, and the left to avoid evil deeds, and through both of these righteousness is established; for it is clear that when one is absent, the other becomes idle (2 Cor 6:7). Through the glory, indeed, of those receiving the word and marveling at it, and through the dishonor of those insulting the believing ones; and the same word is also regarding the following (2 Cor 6:8).

Having said 'do not be compressed in us', he teaches this: instead of 'we do not compress you with the saving teaching, nor shall there be a lack from us'; for our heart has been widened and our mouth has been opened for teaching (2 Cor 6:11-13). And you therefore, as in a response, widen your own mind and receive the teaching; for your heart has not been enlarged in such a way as to receive the teachings from me. So that you are not compressed by yourselves, not being more than we...

And they are receptive. 2 Cor 7:9 'Receive us, saying, so that in nothing we may be harmed by us.' For if I kept silent, he says, and did not strike, you were not grieved; but if you were not grieved, you would have been harmed if you were not repenting. I rejoice, he says, over your afflictions, because they are not worldly but spiritual. And he remembers next the things happening to him through Christ in Asia. 2 Cor 7:12 And indeed because of this he wrote. But as it seems and as the outcome showed, not because of this I wrote, but so that your eagerness and your obedience might be shown; so that through another appearance, another was understood. 2 Cor 7:13 In this he has been refreshed, because they were obeying his teaching.

2 Cor 8:2 In which, he says, they are greatly afflicted being persecuted, in this they rejoice more, and their poverty according to the depth overflowed into the wealth of their generosity. And the apostle testifies to the Macedonians that being poor they became bountiful in well-doing, so that also the Corinthians might be stirred toward fruitfulness. 2 Cor 8:6 The eagerness of the Macedonians toward well-doing prompted us to entreat Titus to come to you, so that he might also prompt you toward fruitfulness. And because of this he also said this, since they had from him the grace of the teaching. 2 Cor 8:8 Through the others, he says, of the Macedonians.

2 Cor 8:18— This joining to the fact that we sent along the brother, whose praise is in the gospel, so that with much and vigorous well-doing from those of the Gentiles they might suffice to serve, being restrained and guarded, lest anyone should blame us as hindering the well-doing toward the saints. Before the Lord it is good to serve in well-doing, and before men not to be blamed and slandered in the vigor of the ministry. 2 Cor 10:2–6 Not as the soldiers of the world receive pay, so also we preach regarding receiving pay. And having readiness to avenge every disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. Because I knew that some are persuaded by speech and exhortation, I was not willing immediately to use the sword, as I consider against some, since they did not seem to be obeying by speech alone. First, however...