Study Desk

Are they ^(C1)Hebrews? ^(C2)So am I. Are they ^(C3)Israelites? ^(C3)So am I. Are they ^(F1)(C4)descendants of Abraham? ^(C5)So am I.

Are they ^(C1)servants of Christ?—I am speaking as if insane—I more so; in ^(C2)far more labors, in ^(C3)far more imprisonments, ^(F1)(C4)beaten times without number, often in danger of ^(C5)death.

Five times I received from the Jews ^(C1)thirty-nine lashes.

Three times I was ^(C1)beaten with rods, once I was ^(C2)stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent adrift at sea.

I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my ^(C1)countrymen, dangers from the ^(C2)Gentiles, dangers in the ^(C3)city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, dangers among ^(C4)false brothers;

I have been in ^(C1)labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in ^(C2)hunger and thirst, often ^(C3)without food, in cold and ^(F1)(C4)exposure.

Apart from such ^(F1)external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for ^(C1)all the churches.

Who is ^(C1)weak without my being weak? Who is ^(F1)led into sin ^(F2)without my intense concern?

If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my ^(C1)weakness.

The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, ^(C1)He who is blessed forever, ^(C2)knows that I am not lying.