Study Desk

I do not say this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love against the earnestness of others.

And in this matter I am giving my advice: it is appropriate for you who began last year not only to do something but even to desire to do something—

But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you may not prove to have been empty in this case, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be;

I myself, Paul, appeal to you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away!—

I ask that when I am present I need not show boldness by daring to oppose those who think we are acting according to human standards.

I do not want to seem as though I am trying to frighten you with my letters.

But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by its cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

I think that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles.

I repeat, let no one think that I am a fool; but if you do, then accept me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little.

What I am saying in regard to this boastful confidence, I am saying not with the Lord's authority, but as a fool;

To my shame, I must say, we were too weak for that! But whatever anyone dares to boast of—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast of that.

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

Are they ministers of Christ? I am talking like a madman—I am a better one: with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless floggings, and often near death.

And, besides other things, I am under daily pressure because of my anxiety for all the churches.

Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I am not indignant?

Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.

I have been a fool! You forced me to it. Indeed you should have been the ones commending me, for I am not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing.

Here I am, ready to come to you this third time. And I will not be a burden, because I do not want what is yours but you; for children ought not to lay 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?

This is the third time I am coming to you. "Any charge must be sustained by the evidence of two or three witnesses."