As the truthof Christis in me, thisboastingof minewill not be stoppedin the regionsof Achaia.
But while Galliowas proconsulof Achaia,the Jewswith one accordrose up againstPauland broughthim beforethe judgment seat,
And when he wantedto go acrossto Achaia,the brethrenencouragedhim and wroteto the disciplesto welcomehim; and when he had arrived,he greatlyhelpedthosewho had believedthroughgrace,
For God,whomI servein my spiritin the [preaching of the] gospelof His Son,is my witness[as to] howunceasinglyI makementionof you,
also[greet] the churchthat is in their house.GreetEpaenetus,my beloved,whois the first convertto Christfrom Asia.
I am tellingthe truthin Christ,I am not lying,my consciencetestifieswith me in the HolySpirit,
NowI urgeyou, brethren(you knowthe householdof Stephanas,that they were the first fruitsof Achaia,and that they have devotedthemselvesfor ministryto the saints),
Paul,an apostleof ChristJesusby the willof God,and Timothy[our] brother,To the churchof Godwhich is at Corinthwith allthe saintswho are throughoutAchaia:
But I callGodas witnessto my soul,that to spareyou I did not comeagainto Corinth.
not boastingbeyond[our] measure,[that] [is], in other men'slabors,but with the hopethat as your faithgrows,we will be, withinour sphere,enlargedevenmoreby you,
But whatI am doingI will continueto do,sothat I may cut offopportunityfrom thosewho desirean opportunityto be regardedjustas we are in the matter about whichthey are boasting.
The Godand Fatherof the LordJesus,He who is blessedforever,knowsthat I am not lying.
All this timeyou have been thinkingthat we are defendingourselves to you. [Actually], it is in the sightof Godthat we have been speakingin Christ;and allfor your upbuilding,beloved.
for I knowyour readiness,of whichI boastaboutyou to the Macedonians,[namely], that Achaiahas been preparedsincelast year,and your zealhas stirredup mostof them.
(Nowin whatI am writingto you, I assureyou beforeGodthat I am not lying.)
"I have been crucifiedwith Christ;and it is no longerI who live,but Christlivesin me; and the [life] whichI nowlivein the fleshI liveby faithin the Sonof God,who lovedme and gaveHimselfup for me.
You are witnesses,and [so is] God,howdevoutlyand uprightlyand blamelesslywe behavedtoward you believers;
For we nevercamewith flatteringspeech,as you know,norwith a pretextfor greed--Godis witness--
For thisI was appointeda preacherand an apostle(I am tellingthe truth,I am not lying)as a teacherof the Gentilesin faithand truth.