Jesus

We are not overstepping our bounds, as if we had not come to you. Indeed, we were the first to reach you with the gospel of Christ.

Rather, “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”

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

I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. For I promised you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.

I am afraid, however, that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may be led astray from your simple and pure devotion to Christ.

For if someone comes and proclaims a Jesus other than the One we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit than the One you received, or a different gospel than the one you accepted, you put up with it way too easily.

As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia.

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.

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.

The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is forever worthy of praise, knows that I am not lying.

I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to gain, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.

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.

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away 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.

Have you been thinking all along that we were making a defense to you? We speak before God in Christ, and all of this, beloved, is to build you up.

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

For He was indeed crucified in weakness, yet He lives by God’s power. And though we are weak in Him, yet by God’s power we will live with Him to serve you.

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Can’t you see for yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you actually fail the test?

This is why I write these things while absent, so that when I am present I will not need to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.

Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead—

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,

who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,

I am amazed how quickly you are deserting the One who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—