Study Desk

I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me. Actually I should have been commended by you, for in no respect was I inferior to the most eminent apostles, even though I am a nobody.

Here for this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I do not seek what is yours, but you; for children are not responsible to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.

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

But be that as it may, I did not burden you myself; nevertheless, crafty fellow that I am, I took you in by deceit.

For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps there will be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances;

I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, immorality and sensuality which they have practiced.

This is the third time I am coming to you. EVERY FACT IS TO BE CONFIRMED BY THE TESTIMONY OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES.

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

I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel;

For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.

(Now in what I am writing to you, I assure you before God that I am not lying.)

What I am saying is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise.

I beg of you, brethren, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong;

But it is good always to be eagerly sought in a commendable manner, and not only when I am present with you.

My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you—

but I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.

But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished.

See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand.

This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.

for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.