Study Desk

If anyone thinks he is a prophet or is endowed with the Spirit, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is a command of the Lord.

For I am the least of all the emissaries, unfit to be called an emissary, because I persecuted the Messianic Community of God.

But by God's grace I am what I am, and his grace towards me was not in vain; on the contrary, I have worked harder than all of them, although it was not I but the grace of God with me.

I will visit you after I have gone through Macedonia, for I am intending to pass through Macedonia,

For I don't want to see you now, when I am only passing through; because I am hoping to spend some time with you, if the Lord allows it.

If Timothy comes, see that he has nothing to be afraid of while he is with you; for he is doing the Lord's work, just as I am.

I am glad that Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus are here, because they have helped make up for your not being here.

So, just to be "fair" (I am using the language of children), open wide your hearts too.

I am not saying this to put blame on you, for I have already said that you have a place in our hearts, whether we live together or die together;

that I am very confident in you; that I am very proud of you; that you have filled me with encouragement; and that in spite of all our troubles, I am overflowing with joy.

I am glad that I can have such complete confidence in you.

I am not issuing an order; rather, I am testing the genuineness of your love against the diligence of others.

As I say, in regard to this matter I am only giving an opinion. A year ago you were not only the first to take action but the first to want to do so. Now it would be to your advantage

But now I am sending the brothers so that our boast about you in this regard will not prove hollow, so that you will be ready, as I said you would be.

Now it is I myself, Sha'ul, making an appeal to you with the meekness and forbearance that come from the Messiah, I who am considered timid when face-to-face with you but intimidating from a distance.

But I beg you not to force me to be intimidating when I am with you, as I expect to be toward some who regard us as living in a worldly way.

For even if I boast a little too much about the authority the Lord has given us — authority to build you up, not tear you down — I am not ashamed.

For I am jealous for you with God's kind of jealousy; since I promised to present you as a pure virgin in marriage to your one husband, the Messiah;

I repeat: don't let anyone think I am a fool. But even if you do, at least receive me as a fool; so that I too may do a little boasting!

What I am saying is not in accordance with the Lord; rather, this conceited boasting is spoken as a fool would speak.