Through Christ, God gave me the special work of an apostle. {\cf2\super [7]} God gave me this work to lead people of all nations to believe and obey God. And I do this work for Christ.
God has given me a special gift. That is why I have something to say to every person among you. Don’t think that you are better than you really are. You must see yourself like you really are. Decide what you are by the kind of faith God has given you.
We all have different gifts. Each gift came because of the grace (kindness) that God gave us. If a person has the gift of prophecy, {\cf2\super [131]} then that person should use that gift with the faith he has.
But, because of God’s grace (gift), that is what I am. And his grace that he gave me was not wasted. I worked harder than all the other apostles. (But I was not really the one working. It was God’s grace that was with me.)
Like an expert builder I built the foundation {\cf2\super [17]} of that house. I used the gift that God gave me to do this. Other people are building on that foundation. But each person should be careful how he builds.
James, Peter, and John seemed to be the leaders. They saw that God had given me this special grace (gift). So they accepted Barnabas and me. Peter, James, and John said, “Paul and Barnabas, we agree that you should go to the people who are not Jews. We will go to the Jews.”
Tell these things to the brothers and sisters there. This will show that you are a good servant of Christ Jesus. You will show that you are made strong by the words of faith and good teaching that you have followed.
That is why I want you to remember the gift God gave you. God gave you that gift when I put my hands on {\cf2\super [3]} you. Now I want you to use that gift and let it grow more and more, like a small flame grows into a fire.
Continue telling the people these things. And warn those people before God not to argue about words. Arguing about words does not help any person. And it ruins those people who listen.
My brothers and sisters, I beg you to listen patiently to these things I have said. I said these things to strengthen you. And this letter is not very long.
Silas will bring this letter to you. I know that he is a faithful brother \{in Christ\}. I wrote this short letter to encourage you. I wanted to tell you that this is the true grace (kindness) of God. Stand strong in that grace.
Remember that we are saved because our Lord is patient. Our dear brother Paul told you that same thing when he wrote to you with the wisdom that God gave him.