Study Desk

Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the descendants of Abraham? So am I.

Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?

The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is blessed forever, knows I am not lying.

So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

I have been a fool; you forced it on me. You ought to have commended me, since I am not in any way inferior to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.

Look, I am ready to come to you this third time. I will not burden you, since I am not seeking what is yours, but you. For children ought not save up for their parents, but parents for their children.

I will most gladly spend and be spent for you. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?

Now granted, I did not burden you; yet sly as I am, I took you in by deceit!

This is the third time I am coming to you. Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.

I gave a warning when I was present the second time, and now I give a warning while I am absent to those who sinned before and to all the rest: If I come again, I will not be lenient,

This is why I am writing these things while absent, so that when I am there I may not have to deal harshly with you, in keeping with the authority the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.

Final Warnings and Exhortations This is the third time I am coming to you. Every fact must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. I gave a warning when I was present the second time, and now I give a warning while I am absent to those who sinned before and to all the rest: If I come again, I will not be lenient, since you seek proof of Christ speaking in me. He is not weak toward you, but powerful among you. In fact, He was crucified in weakness, but He lives by God's power. For we also are weak in Him, yet toward you we will live with Him by God's power. Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith. Examine yourselves. Or do you yourselves not recognize that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless you fail the test. And I hope you will recognize that we do not fail the test. Now we pray to God that you do nothing wrong—not that we may appear to pass the test, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear to fail. For we are not able to do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. In fact, we rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. We also pray that you become fully mature. This is why I am writing these things while absent, that when I am there I will not use severity, in keeping with the authority the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down. Finally, brothers, rejoice. Become mature, be encouraged, be of the same mind, be at peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.

I am amazed that you are so quickly turning away from him who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—

For am I now trying to persuade people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

I declare in the sight of God: I am not lying in what I write to you.

I am fearful for you, that perhaps my labor for you has been wasted.

But it is always good to be pursued in a good manner—and not just when I am with you.

My children, I am again suffering labor pains for you until Christ is formed in you.

Take note! I, Paul, am telling you that if you get yourselves circumcised, Christ will not benefit you at all.

I myself am persuaded in the Lord you will not accept any other view. But whoever it is that is confusing you will pay the penalty.