Colossians 1:29

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:

Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation:

And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.

Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.

Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;

Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;

Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.