Quotes About Community

Confident of this, I planned to visit you first, so that you might receive a double blessing.

I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia, and to return to you from Macedonia, and then to have you help me on my way to Judea.

Now it is God who establishes both us and you in Christ. He anointed us,

Not that we lord it over your faith, but we are fellow workers with you for your joy, because it is by faith that you stand firm.

For if I grieve you, who is left to cheer me but those whom I have grieved?

I wrote as I did so that on my arrival I would not be saddened by those who ought to make me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would share my joy.

Now if anyone has caused grief, he has not grieved me but all of you—to some degree, not to overstate it.

The punishment imposed on him by the majority is sufficient for him.

So instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.

Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him.

You yourselves are our letter, inscribed on our hearts, known and read by everyone.

All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is extending to more and more people may overflow in thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians. Our hearts are open wide.

As a fair exchange, I ask you as my children: Open wide your hearts also.

What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.”

And: “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one.

I do not say this to condemn you. I have said before that you so occupy our hearts that we live and die together with you.

Great is my confidence in you; great is my pride in you; I am filled with encouragement; in all our troubles my joy overflows.

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

and not only by his arrival, but also by the comfort he had received from you. He told us about your longing, your mourning, and your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced all the more.

On account of this, we are encouraged. In addition to our own encouragement, we were even more delighted by the joy of Titus. For his spirit has been refreshed by all of you.

Now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the churches of Macedonia.

In the terrible ordeal they suffered, their abundant joy and deep poverty overflowed into rich generosity.