Gospel Forged Endurance
JUSTIN SERRA

Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God invain. For he says,

“In a favorable time I listened to you,

and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”

Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. We put no obstaclein anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of Godwe commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships,calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity,knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and thepower of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left;through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors,and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; aspunished, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet makingmany rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.

11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. 12 You are notrestricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. 13 In return (I speak as tochildren) widen your hearts also.