Study Desk

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, as I am fully known.

For I am the least of the apostles, not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.

What I am saying, brothers and sisters, is this: Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor can corruption inherit incorruption.

Listen, I am telling you a mystery: We will not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed,

If Timothy comes, see that he has nothing to fear while with you, because he is doing the Lord’s work, just as I am.

So let no one look down on him. Send him on his way in peace so that he can come to me, because I am expecting him with the brothers.

I am delighted to have Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus present, because these men have made up for your absence.

I wrote this very thing so that when I came I wouldn’t have pain from those who ought to give me joy, because I am confident about all of you that my joy will also be yours.

I am very frank with you; I have great pride in you. I am filled with encouragement; I am overflowing with joy in all our afflictions.

I am not saying this as a command. Rather, by means of the diligence of others, I am testing the genuineness of your love.

And in this matter I am giving advice because it is profitable for you, who began last year not only to do something but also to want to do it.

But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you in this matter would not prove empty, and so that you would be ready just as I said.

Now I Paul, myself, appeal to you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble among you in person but bold toward you when absent.

I beg you that when I am present I will not need to be bold with the confidence by which I plan to challenge certain people who think we are behaving according to the flesh.

I don’t want to seem as though I am trying to terrify you with my letters.

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

Even if I am untrained in public speaking, I am certainly not untrained in knowledge. Indeed, we have in every way made that clear to you in everything.

But I will continue to do what I am doing, in order to deny an opportunity to those who want to be regarded as our equals in what they boast about.

What I am saying in this matter of boasting, I don’t speak as the Lord would, but as it were, foolishly.