For I would not dare say anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to make the Gentiles obedient by word and deed,

Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. In view of the fact that I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry,

But the Lord said to him, "Go! For this man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before Gentiles, kings, and the sons of Israel.

As they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work that I have called them to."

"Then He said to me, 'Go, because I will send you far away to the Gentiles.'"

I will rescue you from the people and from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you,

to open their eyes that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.'

So, what is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, and each has the role the Lord has given.

A person should consider us in this way: as servants of Christ and managers of God's mysteries.

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ; certain that God is appealing through us, we plead on Christ's behalf, "Be reconciled to God."

Are they servants of Christ? I'm talking like a madman-- I'm a better one: with far more labors, many more imprisonments, far worse beatings, near death many times.

On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel for the uncircumcised, just as Peter was for the circumcised.

For He who was at work with Peter in the apostleship to the circumcised was also at work with me among the Gentiles.

For this reason, I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles--

But even if I am poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.

For this I was appointed a herald, an apostle (I am telling the truth; I am not lying), and a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

For this [gospel] I was appointed a herald, apostle, and teacher,

But I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.

Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle and singled out for God's good news--

But I count my life of no value to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God's grace.

So then, does God supply you with the Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law or by hearing with faith?

On the contrary, after we had previously suffered and been outrageously treated in Philippi, as you know, we were emboldened by our God to speak the gospel of God to you in spite of great opposition.

For you remember our labor and hardship, brothers. Working night and day so that we would not burden any of you, we preached God's gospel to you.

based on the glorious gospel of the blessed God that was entrusted to me.

It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you concerning things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Angels desire to look into these things.

Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship.

Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

I will establish a sign among them, and I will send survivors from them to the nations-- to Tarshish, Put, Lud (who are archers), Tubal, Javan, and the islands far away-- who have not heard of My fame or seen My glory. And they will proclaim My glory among the nations.

They will bring all your brothers from all the nations as a gift to the LORD on horses and chariots, in litters, and on mules and camels, to My holy mountain Jerusalem, says the LORD, just as the Israelites bring an offering in a clean vessel to the house of the LORD.

and not just as we had hoped. Instead, they gave themselves especially to the Lord, then to us by God's will.

But even if I am poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.

But I have received everything in full, and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you provided-- a fragrant offering, a welcome sacrifice, pleasing to God.

Don't neglect to do good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.

you yourselves, as living stones, are being built into a spiritual house for a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

This hope does not disappoint, because God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

In the same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with unspoken groanings.

And He who searches the hearts knows the Spirit's mind-set, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

"And now I commit you to God and to the message of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified.

Do you not know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,

For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

in whom you also are being built together for God's dwelling in the Spirit.

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely. And may your spirit, soul, and body be kept sound and blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.