Study Desk

Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is caused to stumble, and I don't burn?

Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Messiah's sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.

I have become foolish in boasting. You compelled me, for I ought to have been commended by you, for in nothing was I behind the very best apostles, though I am nothing.

Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I seek not your possessions, but you. For the children ought not to save up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

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

For I am afraid that by any means, when I come, I might find you not the way I want to, and that I might be found by you as you don't desire; that by any means there would be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts, riots;

This is the third time I am coming to you. "At the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word established."

For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? For if I were still pleasing men, I wouldn't be a servant of Messiah.

I am afraid for you, that I might have wasted my labor for you.

I beg you, brothers, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong,

But it is always good to be zealous in a good cause, and not only when I am present with you.

My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Messiah 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, brothers, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling-block of the cross has been removed.

For this cause I, Sha'ul, am the prisoner of Messiah Yeshua on behalf of you Goyim,

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

But that you also may know my affairs, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will make known to you all things;

but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the Good News.

But I am in a dilemma between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Messiah, which is far better.

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the Good News of Messiah, that, whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your state, that you stand firm in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the Good News;