Study Desk

I wish you would put up with a little foolishness^(a) from me. Yes, do put up with me.^[a]

For I am jealous^(b) over you with a godly jealousy,^(c) because I have promised you in marriage to one husband—to present a pure^(d) virgin to Christ.

But I fear that, as the serpent^(e) deceived^(f) Eve^(g) by his cunning, your minds may be seduced from a complete and pure^[b] devotion to Christ.^(h)

For if a person comes and preaches another Jesus,⁽ⁱ⁾ whom we did not preach, or you receive a different spirit,^(j) which you had not received, or a different gospel,^(k) which you had not accepted, you put up with it splendidly!

Now I consider myself in no way inferior to the "super-apostles."^(l)

Though untrained in public speaking,^(m) I am certainly not untrained in knowledge.⁽ⁿ⁾ Indeed, we have always made that clear to you in everything.

Or did I commit a sin by humbling^(o) myself so that you might be exalted,^(p) because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge?^(q)

I robbed other churches by taking pay from them to minister to you.

When I was present with you and in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia^(r) supplied my needs.^(s) I have kept myself, and will keep myself, from burdening you in any way.

As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be stopped^[c] in the regions of Achaia.^(t)

Why? Because I don't love you? God knows I do!

But I will continue to do what I am doing, in order to deny^[d] the opportunity of those who want an opportunity to be regarded just as our equals in what they boast about.

For such people are false apostles,^(u) deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.

And no wonder! For Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

So it is no great thing if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their destiny^[e] will be according to their works.^(v)