Study Desk

I, Paul, am writing the last part of this letter with my own hand.

I am happy to say this. Whatever we did in this world, and for sure when we were with you, we were honest and had pure desires. We did not trust in human wisdom. Our power came from God's loving-favor.

Yes, I changed my mind. Does that show that I change my mind a lot? Do I plan things as people of the world who say yes when they mean no? You know I am not like that!

As God is true, my yes means yes. I am not the kind of person who says one thing and means another.

That is why I wrote that letter to you. I did not want to visit you and be made sad by the ones who should be making me happy. I am sure when I am happy, you are happy also.

I am speaking to you now as if you were my own children. Open your hearts wide to us! That will pay us back for what we have done for you.

I trust you and am proud of you. You give me much comfort and joy even when I suffer.

I am not sorry now if my letter made you sad. I know it made you sad, but it was only for awhile.

I am happy now. It is not because you were hurt by my letter, but because it turned you from sin to God. God used it and you were not hurt by what we did.

I am happy that I can have complete trust in you.

I am not saying that you must do this, but I have told you how others have helped. This is a way to prove how true your love is.

Show these men you love them and let the churches see your love. Show them the reason I am proud of you.

I am sending these Christian brothers so the words I said about you will prove to be true and you will be ready to help.

I, Paul, ask you this myself. I do it through Christ Who is so gentle and kind. Some people say that I am gentle and quiet when I am with you, but that I have no fear and that my language is strong when I am away from you.

I am not ashamed if I say this of myself. The Lord gave me the right and the power to help you become stronger, not to break you down.

I do not want you to think I am trying to make you afraid with my letters.

I am jealous for you with a God-like jealousy. I have given you, as a woman who has never had a man, to one Husband, Who is Christ.

Eve was fooled by the snake in the garden of Eden. In the same way, I am afraid that you will be fooled and led away from your pure love for Christ.

I do not think I am less than those special missionaries who are coming to you.

Even if it is hard for me to speak, I know what I am talking about. You know this by now.