Study Desk

For although we are living in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh,

for the weapons of our warfare are not merely human, but powerful to God for the tearing down of fortresses, tearing down arguments

For even if I boast somewhat more about our authority that the Lord gave us for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be put to shame,

For we do not dare to classify or to compare ourselves with some who commend themselves, but they themselves, when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, do not understand.

For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we had not reached you, because we have reached even as far as you with the gospel of Christ,

For it is not the one commending himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy, because I promised you in marriage to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.

For if the one who comes proclaims another Jesus whom we have not proclaimed, or you receive a different spirit which you did not receive, or a different gospel which you did not accept, you put up with it well enough!

For I consider myself in no way to be inferior to the preeminent apostles.

I robbed other churches by accepting support from them for the ministry to you.

And when I was present with you and was in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my need, and in everything I kept myself from being a burden to you, and will keep myself from being a burden.

For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.

And no wonder, for Satan himself disguises himself as an angel of light.

For because you are wise, you put up with foolish people gladly!

For you put up with it if someone enslaves you, if someone devours you, if someone takes advantage of you, if someone is presumptious toward you, if someone strikes you in the face.

that he was caught up to paradise and heard words not to be spoken, which it is not permitted for a person to speak.

For if I want to boast, I will not be foolish, because I will be telling the truth, but I am refraining, so that no one can credit to me more than what he sees in me or hears anything from me,

And he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, because the power is perfected in weakness." Therefore rather I will boast most gladly in my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may reside in me.

Therefore I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in calamities, in persecutions and difficulties for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.

I have become a fool! You compelled me, for I ought to have been commended by you, for I am in no way inferior to the preeminent apostles, even if I am nothing.