Letters to the Churches

(For his epistles indeed, say they, are weighty and strong; but his bodily presence is weak and his speech contemptible):

Let such a one think this, that such as we are in word by epistles when absent, such also we will be indeed when present.

For we dare not match or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but we measure ourselves by ourselves and compare ourselves with ourselves.

But we will not glory beyond our measure: but according to the measure of the rule which God hath measured to us, a measure to reach even unto you.

For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as if we reached not unto you. For we are come as far as to you in the Gospel of Christ.

Not glorying beyond measure in other men's labours: but having hope of your increasing faith, to be magnified in you according to our rule abundantly.

Yea, unto those places that are beyond you to preach the gospel: not to glory in another man's rule, in those things that are made ready to our hand.

But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

For not he who commendeth himself is approved: but he, whom God commendeth.

Would to God you could bear with some little of my folly! But do bear with me.

For I am jealous of you with the jealousy of God. For I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

But I fear lest, as the serpent seduced Eve by his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted and fall from the simplicity that is in Christ.

For if he that cometh preacheth another Christ, whom we have not preached; or if you receive another Spirit, whom you have not received; or another gospel, which you have not received: you might well bear with him.

For I suppose that I have done nothing less than the great apostles.

For although I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge: but in all things we have been made manifest to you.

Or did I commit a fault, humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached unto you the Gospel of God freely?

I have taken from other churches, receiving wages of them for your ministry.

And, when I was present with you and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was wanting to me, the brethren supplied who came from Macedonia. And in all things I have kept myself from being burthensome to you: and so I will keep myself.

The truth of Christ is in me, that this glorying shall not be broken off in me in the regions of Achaia.

Wherefore? Because I love you not? God knoweth it.

But what I do, that I will do: that I may cut off the occasion from them that desire occasion: that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.

For such false apostles are deceitful workmen, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

And no wonder: for Satan himself transformeth himself into an angel of light.

Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers be transformed as the ministers of justice, whose end shall be according to their works.

I say again (Let no man think me to be foolish: otherwise take me as one foolish, that I also may glory a little):