Accept One Another

1I add, we that are better inform'd ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not study our own pleasure. 2let every one of us consult the good of his neighbour to his edification. 3for even Christ did not consult his own satisfaction; but as it is written, "the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me." 4now whatever was heretofore writ, was writ for our instruction; that we through patience and the comfortable promises of the scriptures might have hope. 5May the God of patience and consolation, make you equally concern'd for one another, according to the example of Christ Jesus, 6that ye may unanimously with one voice glorify God, even the father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Christ the Servant of Jews and Gentiles

7wherefore be kindly affected to one another, as Christ was to you, that you might glorify God.

8for I tell you, that Jesus Christ was a minister to the Jews, to manifest the veracity of God in fulfilling the promises made to the fathers:

9and you Gentiles ought to glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, "for this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name."

10and again the scripture saith, "rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people."

11and elsewhere, praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles, and laud him, all ye people."

12besides Esaias saith, "there shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles hope."

13Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope through the power of the holy spirit.

Paul the Minister to the Gentiles

14As to myself, I am persuaded, my brethren, that you abound in goodness, and in variety of knowledge, and are able to instruct one another. 15nevertheless, brethren, I have writ to the Gentile part of you, and admonish'd you with the greater freedom by virtue of the commission that God has given me, 16to be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, officiating the gospel of God, that the Gentiles might be made an acceptable offering, being sanctified by the holy spirit. 17I have therefore matter of glorying thro' Jesus Christ, with respect to divine service. 18for I will not offer to mention any thing, but what Christ has wrought by me, to make the Gentiles christians, both in profession and practice: 19by virtue of the miracles and prodigies wrought by the power of the divine spirit; so that from Jerusalem, and the neighbouring country, quite to Illyricum, 20I have effectually preached the gospel of Christ: yet so as studiously to avoid preaching it where Christ was owned, lest I should build upon another man's foundation; for,

21as it is written, "they to whom he was not mentioned, shall see: and they that have not heard, shall understand."

22This has chiefly hindred me from coming to you.

Paul’s Travel Plans
(1 Corinthians 16:5–9)

23but now there being no further occasion for me in these parts, and having had a great desire these many years to visit you; 24when I take my journey into Spain, I hope to see you in my way, and be forwarded by you to that place, after having for some time enjoy'd the pleasure of your company. 25but now I am going to Jerusalem, to distribute charity to the converts. 26for those of Macedonia and Achaia, have thought fit to make a contribution for the poor converts at Jerusalem. 27they have thought fit, I say, and they owed them as much, for if the Gentiles have participated of their spirituals, they are bound on their side to minister to them in their temporals. 28when I have dispatch'd this affair, and have secur'd to them this collection, I will come to you in my way to Spain. 29and I know that when I do come, I shall come charged with the blessings of Christ.

30in the mean time, I conjure you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the spirit, that you join with me in earnest prayers to God for me; 31that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea; and that the charitable service which I am employed about, for the converts at Jerusalem, may be acceptable to them: 32that by the will of God we may meet with joy, and rest together in peace. 33now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.