Study Desk

And if I have a prophet's power, and have knowledge of all secret things; and if I have all faith, by which mountains may be moved from their place, but have not love, I am nothing.

When I was a child, I made use of a child's language, I had a child's feelings and a child's thoughts: now that I am a man, I have put away the things of a child.

But if the sense of the voice is not clear to me, I am like a man from a strange country to him who is talking, and he will be the same to me.

I give praise to God that I am able to make use of tongues more than you all:

If any man seems to himself to be a prophet or to have the Spirit, let him take note of the things which I am writing to you, as being the word of the Lord.

Now I am going to make clear to you, my brothers, what the good news was which I gave to you, and which you took, and on which your faith is based,

For I am the least of the Apostles, having no right to be named an Apostle, because of my cruel attacks on the church of God.

But by the grace of God, I am what I am: and his grace which was given to me has not been for nothing; for I did more work than all of them; though not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

If then it is I who am the preacher, or they, this is our word, and to this you have given your faith.

See, I am giving you the revelation of a secret: we will not all come to the sleep of death, but we will all be changed.

Now if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without fear; because he is doing the Lord's work, even as I am:

See then that he has the honour which is right. But send him on his way in peace, so that he may come to me: for I am looking for him with the brothers.

And I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for they have done what was needed to make your work complete.

If then I had such a purpose, did I seem to be changing suddenly? or am I guided in my purposes by the flesh, saying, Yes, today, and, No, tomorrow?

Now to give me back payment of the same sort (I am talking as to my children), let your hearts be wide open to me.

My words to you are without fear, I am full of pride on account of you: I have great comfort and joy in all our troubles.

Now I am glad, not that you had sorrow, but that your sorrow was the cause of a change of heart; for yours was a holy sorrow so that you might undergo no loss by us in anything.

I am not giving you an order, but using the ready mind of others as a test of the quality of your love.

And I am not saying this so that others may get off free, while the weight comes on you:

Now I, Paul, myself make request to you by the quiet and gentle behaviour of Christ, I who am poor in spirit when with you, but who say what is in my mind to you without fear when I am away from you: