Study Desk

I have previously said when I was present the second time, and though now absent I say in advance to those who have ^(C1)sinned in the past and to all the rest as well, that ^(C2)if I come again I will not ^(C3)spare anyone,

since you are ^(C1)seeking proof of the ^(C2)Christ who speaks in me, who is not weak toward you, but ^(C3)mighty in you.

For indeed He was ^(C1)crucified because of weakness, yet He lives ^(C2)because of the power of God. For we too are ^(C3)weak ^(F1)in Him, yet ^(C4)we will live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you.

^(C1)Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; ^(C2)examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you ^(F1)(C3)fail the test?

But I expect that you will realize that we ourselves ^(F1)do not fail the test.

Now we pray to God that you do nothing wrong; not so that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, though we may ^(F1)appear unapproved.

For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.

For we rejoice when we ourselves are ^(C1)weak, but you are strong; this we also pray for, ^(F1)that you ^(C2)become mature.

For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present ^(C1)I need not use ^(C2)severity, in accordance with the ^(C3)authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.