Study Desk

to level all the barriers they contrive for obstructing the divine doctrine, and to make their pride captive to the authority of Christ.

and I am prepar'd, when you have discharg'd your duty, to make examples of the rest for their disobedience.

for though I should more than ever magnify my authority, which the Lord hath given us for your improvement, and not for your ruin, I should have no reason to be ashamed;

(for 'tis objected that my letters are weighty and powerful, but my bodily presence weak, and my preaching

for I dare not rank or compare my self with some who vaunt themselves: but they making their self-conceit the only standard whereby to judge of themselves, show their want of judgment.

for I do not stretch beyond my limits to take you in; since in preaching the gospel of Christ, we are advanced even to you.

for not he that commendeth himself, but he whom the Lord commendeth, is the approved.

for I am jealous over you with religious jealousy: since I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

for I think I am not at all inferior to the chiefest of the apostles.

If I have degraded myself for your advantage by preaching the holy gospel to you gratis, is that such a trespass?

when I was present among you, and in want, I was chargeable to no man: for the brethren which came from Macedonia, supplied my necessities: and as I have, so I always shall keep myself from being burdensome to you.

for these are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguised so as to pass for true apostles.

and no wonder; for satan himself may put on the appearance of an angel of light.

for as wise as you are your selves, you easily bear with the folly of others.

in Damascus the governor for king Aretas, posted guards at the city-gates, with a design to apprehend me:

Have not I reason to glory? for now I shall mention my visions and revelations from the Lord.

this I know, that he was snatch'd up into paradise, and heard such secrets as it is not lawful for a man to reveal.

tho' if I had a mind to glory, I might do it without vanity, for I should say nothing but what is true: but now I forbear, lest any man should ascribe more to me than my actions, or my preaching can justify.

but he said to me, "my favour is sufficient for thee: for my strength is shown to be perfect by thy weakness." with pleasure therefore will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may be seen to dwell in me.

I take pleasure then in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am afflicted, then it is I have fortitude.