Study Desk

Become imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.

If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body," not because of this is it not a part of the body.

And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body, not because of this is it not a part of the body.

And if I have the gift of prophecy and I know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so that I can remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, he should recognize that the things which I am writing to you are of the Lord.

For I am the least of the apostles, not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been in vain, but I labored even more than all of them, and not I, but the grace of God with me.

But I will come to you whenever I go through Macedonia (for I am going through Macedonia),

But if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without cause to fear, for he is carrying out the Lord's work, as I also am.

Therefore do not let anyone disdain him, but send him on his way in peace in order that he may come to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers.

Now the same way in exchange (I am speaking as to children), you open wide your hearts also.

Great is my confidence toward you; great is my boasting on your behalf; I am filled with encouragement; I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction.

I rejoice, because in everything I am completely confident in you.

I am not saying this as a command, but proving the genuineness of your love by means of the diligence of others.

And I am giving an opinion in this matter, because this is profitable for you who not only began previously, a year ago, to do something, but also to want to do it.

But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you would not prove to be empty in this case, so that you may be prepared just as I was saying,

Now I, Paul, appeal to you myself by the humility and gentleness of Christ, who when I am present in person am humble among you, but when I am absent am bold toward you—

now I ask when I am present that I will not need to be bold with the confidence with which I propose to show boldness toward some who consider us as behaving according to the flesh.

For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy, because I promised you in marriage to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.

But I am afraid lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds may be led astray from the sincerity and the purity of devotion to Christ.