Marks of the Ministry
WE then, as workers together with Him, also beseech you: that you receive not the grace of God in vain.
2 For He saith: “I have heard you at the accepted time, and in the day of salvation I have helped you; behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation!”
3 ¶ We give occasion for offence to no one, in anything: that the ministry be not found at fault.
4 Rather in all things, showing ourselves as ministers of God, in much endurance, in tribulations, in troubles, in distresses,
5 In beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in labours, in sleeplessness, in fastings;
6 In pureness, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in sincere love;
7 In the word of truth, in the power of God, through the weapons of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
8 Through glory and dishonour; through defamation and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;
9 As ignorant, and yet able to understand; as dying, and behold we live; as punished, yet not put to death;
10 As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
Set Apart to God
11 ¶ O Corinthians, our mouth is open to you, our heart is enlarged.
12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own inner parts.
13 Now in exchange for the same (I speak as to my children), be you also enlarged in heart.
14 ¶ Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship has righteousness and lawlessness? and what fellowship has light with darkness?
15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?
16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God; as God has said: “I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Therefore come out from among them, and be set apart, saith the Lord, and touch not the defiled, and I will accept you;
18 And be a Father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”