Letters to the Churches

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

Such people should consider that what we are in our letters when absent, we will be in our actions when present.

We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they show their ignorance.

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.

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.

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,

so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. Then we will not be boasting in the work already done in another man’s territory.

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

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.

I consider myself in no way inferior to those “super-apostles.”

Although I am not a polished speaker, I am certainly not lacking in knowledge. We have made this clear to you in every way possible.

Was it a sin for me to humble myself in order to exalt you, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge?

I robbed other churches by accepting their support in order to serve you.

And when I was with you and in need, I was not a burden to anyone; for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my needs. I have refrained from being a burden to you in any way, and I will continue to do so.

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

Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!

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.

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

And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.

It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.

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.