Study Desk

Now I am happy, but not because I hurt your feelings. It is because God used your hurt feelings to make you turn back to him, and none of you were harmed by us.

When God makes you feel sorry enough to turn to him and be saved, you don't have anything to feel bad about. But when this world makes you feel sorry, it can cause your death.

I am not trying to make life easier for others by making life harder for you. But it is only fair

But we want to do what pleases the Lord and what people think is right.

Some followers from Macedonia may come with me, and I want them to find that you have the money ready. If you don't, I would be embarrassed for trusting you to do this. But you would be embarrassed even more.

Remember this saying, "A few seeds make a small harvest, but a lot of seeds make a big harvest."

Each of you must make up your own mind about how much to give. But don't feel sorry that you must give and don't feel that you are forced to give. God loves people who love to give.

We live in this world, but we don't act like its people

Some of you are saying, "Paul's letters are harsh and powerful. But in person, he is a weakling and has nothing worth saying."

We won't dare compare ourselves with those who think so much of themselves. But they are foolish to compare themselves with themselves.

We don't brag about what others have done, as if we had done those things ourselves. But I hope that as you become stronger in your faith, we will be able to reach many more of the people around you. That has always been our goal.

You may brag about yourself, but the only approval that counts is the Lord's approval.

But now I fear that you will be tricked, just as Eve was tricked by that lying snake. I am afraid that you might stop thinking about Christ in an honest and sincere way.

We told you about Jesus, and you received the Holy Spirit and accepted our message. But you let some people tell you about another Jesus. Now you are ready to receive another spirit and accept a different message.

I may not speak as well as they do, but I know as much. And this has already been made perfectly clear to you.

I don't want any of you to think that I am a fool. But if you do, then let me be a fool and brag a little.

I am ashamed to say that we are too weak to behave in such a way. If they can brag, so can I, but it is a foolish thing to do.

Are they servants of Christ? I am a fool to talk this way, but I serve him better than they do. I have worked harder and have been put in jail more times. I have been beaten with whips more and have been in danger of death more often.

But I escaped by being let down in a basket through a window in the city wall.

I have to brag. There is nothing to be gained by it, but I must brag about the visions and other things that the Lord has shown me.