Study Desk

For it isn't he who commends himself who is approved, but whom the Lord commends.

For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy. For I married you to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ.

For if he who comes preaches another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or if you receive a different spirit, which you did not receive, or a different gospel, which you did not accept, you put up with that well enough.

For I reckon that I am not at all behind the very best apostles.

Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached to you God's gospel for nothing?

When I was present with you and was in need, I wasn't a burden on anyone, for the brothers, when they came from Macedonia, supplied the measure of my need. In everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and I will continue to do so.

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as Christ's apostles.

And no wonder, for even Satan masquerades as an angel of light.

For you bear with the foolish gladly, being wise.

For you bear with a man, if he brings you into bondage, if he devours you, if he takes you captive, if he exalts himself, if he strikes you on the face.

Besides those things that are outside, there is that which presses on me daily, anxiety for all the assemblies.

It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. For I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

how he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

For if I would desire to boast, I will not be foolish; for I will speak the truth. But I forbear, so that no man may account of me above that which he sees in me, or hears from me.

He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.

Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.

I have become foolish in boasting. You compelled me, for I ought to have been commended by you, for in nothing was I behind the very best apostles, though I am nothing.

For what is there in which you were made inferior to the rest of the assemblies, unless it is that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong.

Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I seek not your possessions, but you. For the children ought not to save up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less?