Study Desk

If anyone thinks he is a prophet or a spiritual person, he must acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord's command.2 Corinthians 10:7; 1 John 4:6;">[xr]

For I am the least of the apostles and not even fit to be called an apostle because I persecuted God's church.Acts 8:3; 9:1; Galatians 1:13; Ephesians 3:8; Philippians 3:6; 1 Timothy 1:13;">[xr]

But by God's grace I am what I am, and his grace shown to me was not wasted. Instead, I worked harder than all the others - not I, of course, but God's grace that was with me.Matthew 10:20; Romans 15:18-19; 2 Corinthians 3:5; 11:23; 12:11; Galatians 2:8; Ephesians 2:7-8; 3:7; Philippians 2:13;">[xr]

I face death every day! That is as certain, brothers,brothers">[fn] as it is that I am proud of you in Christ Jesus our Lord.Romans 8:36; 1 Corinthians 4:9; 2 Corinthians 4:10-11; 11:23; 1 Thessalonians 2:19;">[xr]

Therefore, no one should treat him with contempt. Send him on his way in peace so that he may come to me, because I am expecting him along with the brothers.Acts 15:33; 1 Timothy 4:12;">[xr]

I am glad that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus came here, because they have supplied what was lacking from you.2 Corinthians 11:9; Philippians 2:30;">[xr]

I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand.Colossians 4:18; 2 Thessalonians 3:17;">[xr]

After all, if I were to grieve you, who should make me happy but the person I am making sad?

I am not saying this to condemn you. I told you before that you are in our hearts to die together and to live together.2 Corinthians 6:11-12;">[xr]

I have great confidence in you. I am very proud of you. I am very much encouraged. I am overjoyed in all our troubles.1 Corinthians 1:4; 2 Corinthians 1:4,14; 3:12; Philippians 2:17; Colossians 1:24;">[xr]

Now I am happy, not because you had such sorrow, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you were sorry in a godly way, and so you were not hurt by us in any way.

I am not commanding you but testing the genuineness of your love by the enthusiasm of others.1 Corinthians 7:6;">[xr]

I am giving you my opinion on this matter because it will be helpful to you. Last year you were not only willing to do something, but had already started to do it.Proverbs 19:17; Matthew 10:42; 1 Corinthians 7:25; 2 Corinthians 9:2; 1 Timothy 6:18-19; Hebrews 13:16;">[xr]

Now I myself, Paul, plead with you with the gentleness and kindness of Christ - I who am humble when I am face to face with you but forceful toward you when I am away!Romans 12:1; 2 Corinthians 12:5,7, 9-10;">[xr]

I do not want you to think that I am trying to frighten you with my letters.

I am jealous of you with God's own jealousy, because I promised you in marriage to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.Leviticus 21:13; Hosea 2:19-20; 1 Corinthians 4:15; Galatians 4:17-18; Colossians 1:28;">[xr]

However, I am afraid that just as the serpent deceived Eve by its tricks, so your minds may somehow be lured away from sincere and pureand pure">[fn] devotion to Christ.Genesis 3:4; John 8:44; Ephesians 6:24; Colossians 2:4,8, 18; 1 Timothy 1:3; 4:1; Hebrews 13:9; 2 Peter 3:17;">[xr]

Even though I may be untrained as an orator, I am not so in the field of knowledge. We have made this clear to all of you in every possible way.1 Corinthians 1:17; 2 Corinthians 4:2; 5:11; 10:10; 12:12; Ephesians 3:4;">[xr]

I will say it again: No one should think that I am a fool. But if you do, then treat me like a fool so that I can also boast a little.2 Corinthians 11:1;">[xr]

When I talk as a confident boaster, I am not talking with the Lord's authority but like a fool.1 Corinthians 7:6,12; 2 Corinthians 6:4;">[xr]