Study Desk

We take no pride in the work others have done there. But we hope your faith will keep growing because of help from others. Then we will grow because of you.

Some of the time I had no money when I was with you. But I did not ask you for money. The Christians from the country of Macedonia brought me what I needed. I did not ask you and I will not ask you for anything.

Those men are false missionaries. They lie about their work. But they make themselves look like true missionaries of Christ.

Let me say it again. Do not think of me as a fool. But if you do, then let this foolish man speak a little about himself.

I am ashamed to say that I am weak! But I do not do as they do. Whatever they say about themselves, I can say about myself also. (I know what I am saying sounds foolish.)

I have made many hard trips. I have been in danger from high water on rivers. I have been in danger from robbers. I have been in danger from the Jews. I have been in danger from people who do not know God. I have been in danger in cities and in the desert. I have been in danger on the sea. I have been in danger among people who say they belong to Christ but do not.

But I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and I got away.

I have to talk about myself, even if it does no good. But I will keep on telling about some things I saw in a special dream and that which the Lord has shown me.

I say it again, I know this man was taken up. But I do not know if his body or just his spirit was taken up. Only God knows.

I will be proud about this man, but I will not be proud about myself except to say things which show how weak I am.

Even if I talk about myself, I would not be a fool because it is the truth. But I will say no more because I want no one to think better of me than he does when he sees or hears me.

The things God showed me were so great. But to keep me from being too full of pride because of seeing these things, I have been given trouble in my body. It was sent from Satan to hurt me. It keeps me from being proud.

I have been making a fool of myself talking like this. But you made me do it. You should be telling what I have done. Even if I am nothing at all, I am not less important than those false missionaries of yours.

It is true that I was not a heavy load to you. But some say I set a trap for you.

Christ's weak human body died on a cross. It is by God's power that Christ lives today. We are weak. We are as He was. But we will be alive with Christ through the power God has for us.

We pray to God that you do no wrong. We do not pray this to show that our teaching is so great, but that you will keep on doing what is right, even if it looks as if we have done much wrong.

I am surprised you are leaving Christ so soon. You were chosen through His loving-favor. But now you are turning and listening to another kind of good news.

But God chose me before I was born. By His loving-favor He called me to work for Him.

But we did not listen to them or do what they wanted us to do so the truth of the Good News might be yours.

But when Peter came to Antioch, I had to stand up against him because he was guilty.