Study Desk

Now by the mildness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you-I, Paul, who am humble when face to face with you, but bold when away.

For some say, "His letters are weighty and forceful, but his physical presence is unimpressive, and his speaking is of no account."

We, however, will not boast beyond our limits, but only within the field of influence that God has assigned to us-a field that reaches even to you.

Neither do we boast beyond our limits in the labors of others. But we hope that, as your faith increases, our area of influence among you will greatly increase as well,

For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

I hope you will bear with a little of my foolishness, but you are already doing that.

But I will keep on doing what I am doing, in order to undercut those who want an opportunity to be regarded as our equals in the things of which they boast.

I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool. But if you do, then receive me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little.

In this confident boasting of mine, I am not speaking as the Lord would, but as a fool.

Are they servants of Christ? I am speaking like I am out of my mind, but I am so much more: in harder labor, in more imprisonments, in worse beatings, in frequent danger of death.

But I was lowered in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his grasp.

I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows.

And I know that this man-whether in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows-

I will boast about such a man, but I will not boast about myself, except in my weaknesses.

Even if I wanted to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me,

But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.

I have become a fool, but you drove me to it. In fact, you should have commended me, since I am in no way inferior to those "super-apostles," even though I am nothing.

See, I am ready to come to you a third time, and I will not be a burden, because I am not seeking your possessions, but you. For children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.

Be that as it may, I was not a burden to you; but crafty as I am, I caught you by trickery.

since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you.