Study Desk

I may be unskilled as a speaker, but I'm not lacking in knowledge. We have made this clear to you in every possible way.

But I will continue doing what I have always done. This will undercut those who are looking for an opportunity to boast that their work is just like ours.

But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

Again I say, don't think that I am a fool to talk like this. But even if you do, listen to me, as you would to a foolish person, while I also boast a little.

Such boasting is not from the Lord, but I am acting like a fool.

After all, you think you are so wise, but you enjoy putting up with fools!

I'm ashamed to say that we've been too "weak" to do that! But whatever they dare to boast about—I'm talking like a fool again—I dare to boast about it, too.

Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again.

I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not.

This boasting will do no good, but I must go on. I will reluctantly tell about visions and revelations from the Lord.

Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know

That experience is worth boasting about, but I'm not going to do it. I will boast only about my weaknesses.

If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won't do it, because I don't want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message,

Some of you admit I was not a burden to you. But others still think I was sneaky and took advantage of you by trickery.

But how? Did any of the men I sent to you take advantage of you?

Although he was crucified in weakness, he now lives by the power of God. We, too, are weak, just as Christ was, but when we deal with you we will be alive with him and will have God's power.

For we cannot oppose the truth, but must always stand for the truth.

This letter is from Paul, an apostle. I was not appointed by any group of people or any human authority, but by Jesus Christ himself and by God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead.

but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ.

Obviously, I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant.