Study Desk

And I am not trying to scare you with my letters.

Those people had better understand that when I am with you, I will do exactly what I say in my letters.

I am as concerned about you as God is. You were like a virgin bride I had chosen only for Christ.

But now I fear that you will be tricked, just as Eve was tricked by that lying snake. I am afraid that you might stop thinking about Christ in an honest and sincere way.

I think I am as good as any of those super apostles.

I don't want any of you to think that I am a fool. But if you do, then let me be a fool and brag a little.

I am ashamed to say that we are too weak to behave in such a way. If they can brag, so can I, but it is a foolish thing to do.

Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Jews? So am I. Are they from the family of Abraham? Well, so am I.

Are they servants of Christ? I am a fool to talk this way, but I serve him better than they do. I have worked harder and have been put in jail more times. I have been beaten with whips more and have been in danger of death more often.

Besides everything else, each day I am burdened down, worrying about all the churches.

When others are weak, I am weak too. When others are tricked into sin, I get angry.

If I have to brag, I will brag about how weak I am.

God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, knows I am not lying. And God is to be praised forever!

I will brag about that man, but not about myself, except to say how weak I am.

Of course, I am now referring to the wonderful things I saw. One of Satan's angels was sent to make me suffer terribly, so that I would not feel too proud.

But he replied, "My kindness is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak." So if Christ keeps giving me his power, I will gladly brag about how weak I am.

Yes, I am glad to be weak or insulted or mistreated or to have troubles and sufferings, if it is for Christ. Because when I am weak, I am strong.

I have been making a fool of myself. But you forced me to do it, when you should have been speaking up for me. I may be nothing at all, but I am as good as those super apostles.

I am planning to visit you for the third time. But I still won't make a burden of myself. What I really want is you, and not what you have. Children are not supposed to save up for their parents, but parents are supposed to take care of their children.

So I will gladly give all that I have and all that I am. Will you love me less for loving you too much?