I must needs glory, though it is not expedient; but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. [I feel constrained to go on with my boosting, though I recognize that it is not expedient for me to do so since it gives my enemies further material for detraction and vilification. Yet I will sp... [ Continue Reading ]
I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I know not; or whether out of the body, I know not; God knoweth), such a one caught up even to the third heaven.... [ Continue Reading ]
And I know such a man (whether in the body, or apart from the body, I know not; God knoweth);... [ Continue Reading ]
how that he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for man to utter.... [ Continue Reading ]
On behalf of such a one will I glory: but on mine own behalf I will not glory, save in my weaknesses. [Here Paul speaks of an experience of his, but declines to name himself, or use the first person, lest he might be thought to be glorying in his own exaltation. He had been caught up into paradise,... [ Continue Reading ]
For if I should desire to glory, I shall not be foolish; for I shall speak the truth: but I forbear, lest any man should account of me above that which he seeth me to be, or heareth from me. [Now, if I should desire to boast, I should not need to foolishly vaunt myself as to imaginary things, but I... [ Continue Reading ]
And by reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, that I should not be exalted overmuch. [From the earliest ages down men have indulged in wild speculation as to what Paul... [ Continue Reading ]
Concerning this thing I besought the Lord thrice [Matthew 26:44], _that it might depart from me_.... [ Continue Reading ]
And he hath said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my power is made perfect in weakness. [Philippians 4:13; 1 Corinthians 2:3-5] _Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me_. [The prayer was not granted, but a compensation was ma... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. [God so orders it that the times of my weakness are the very hours when my strength is revealed, and thus each period of death is turned into... [ Continue Reading ]
I am become foolish: ye compelled me; for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing was I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I am nothing. [You, who should have spoken in my defense and commendation, by keeping silence have compelled me to boast, and to show that, nobody as I am,... [ Continue Reading ]
Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, by signs and wonders and mighty works.... [ Continue Reading ]
For what is there wherein ye were made inferior to the rest of the churches, except it be that I myself was not a burden to you? forgive me this wrong. [And you are without excuse in thus compelling me to defend myself by proving my apostleship, for it was proved long since among you by the miracles... [ Continue Reading ]
Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be a burden to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. [There has been much dispute as to whether Paul says that this is his third visit, or th... [ Continue Reading ]
And I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less?... [ Continue Reading ]
But be it so, I did not myself burden you; but, being crafty, I caught you with guile. [And as a doting parent I will gladly spend all that I have and all that I am for your soul's sake. Gladly, as it were, will I break the earthen vessel that its contents may be lavishly poured out upon you (2 Cori... [ Continue Reading ]
Did I take advantage of you by any one of them whom I have sent unto you?... [ Continue Reading ]
I exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps? [Now let us look at the facts and see where I used such guile. My detractors admit that I myself took nothing: then I must have taken it through... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye think all this time that we are excusing ourselves unto you. In the sight of God speak we in Christ. But all things, beloved, are for your edifying.... [ Continue Reading ]
For I fear, lest by any means, when I come, I should find you not such as I would, and should myself be found of you such as ye would not; lest by any means there should be strife [1 Corinthians 6:7],_ jealous_ y [2 Corinthians 11:19; 2 Corinthians 11:22], _wraths, factions_ [1 Cor 1:11], _backbitin... [ Continue Reading ]
lest again when I come my God should humble me before you, and I should mourn for many of them that have sinned heretofore, and repented not of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they committed. [Doubtless all the while you have been reading or listening to my words you have be... [ Continue Reading ]