Study Desk

Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!

For some say, "Paul's letters are demanding and forceful, but in person he is weak, and his speeches are worthless!"

We are not reaching beyond these boundaries when we claim authority over you, as if we had never visited you. For we were the first to travel all the way to Corinth with the Good News of Christ.

Nor do we boast and claim credit for the work someone else has done. Instead, we hope that your faith will grow so that the boundaries of our work among you will be extended.

When people commend themselves, it doesn't count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them.

For I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself. I promised you as a pure bride to one husband—Christ.

And when I was with you and didn't have enough to live on, I did not become a financial burden to anyone. For the brothers who came from Macedonia brought me all that I needed. I have never been a burden to you, and I never will be.

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.

Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches.

That's why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

You have made me act like a fool. You ought to be writing commendations for me, for I am not at all inferior to these "super apostles," even though I am nothing at all.

When I was with you, I certainly gave you proof that I am an apostle. For I patiently did many signs and wonders and miracles among you.

The only thing I failed to do, which I do in the other churches, was to become a financial burden to you. Please forgive me for this wrong!

Now I am coming to you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you. I don't want what you have—I want you. After all, children don't provide for their parents. Rather, parents provide for their children.

I will gladly spend myself and all I have for you, even though it seems that the more I love you, the less you love me.

When I urged Titus to visit you and sent our other brother with him, did Titus take advantage of you? No! For we have the same spirit and walk in each other's steps, doing things the same way.

For I am afraid that when I come I won't like what I find, and you won't like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior.

Yes, I am afraid that when I come again, God will humble me in your presence. And I will be grieved because many of you have not given up your old sins. You have not repented of your impurity, sexual immorality, and eagerness for lustful pleasure.

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

I am writing this to you before I come, hoping that I won't need to deal severely with you when I do come. For I want to use the authority the Lord has given me to strengthen you, not to tear you down.