Concern for Their Faithfulness

11 Oh, that you would bear with me in a little ^(A)folly—and indeed you do bear with me.

¹⁹ For you put up with fools gladly, ^(A)since you yourselves are wise!

⁴ For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a ^(A)different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!

¹³ For ^(A)if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you.

²¹ To our shame ^(A)I say that we were too weak for that! But ^(B)in whatever anyone is bold—I speak foolishly—I am bold also.

Reluctant Boasting

¹⁶ I say again, let no one think me a fool. If otherwise, at least receive me as a fool, that I also may boast a little. ¹⁷ What I speak, ^(A)I speak not according to the Lord, but as it were, foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.

²¹ For since, in the ^(A)wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

² He can ^[a]have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to ^(A)weakness.

Signs of an Apostle

¹¹ I have become ^(A)a fool ^[a]in boasting; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; for ^(B)in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though ^(C)I am nothing.

¹⁰ We are ^(A)fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! ^(B)We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored!