Christ’s Epistle^(A)

3 Do ^(B)we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some others, ^(C)epistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you?

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.

Be Reconciled to God

¹² For ^(A)we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity ^(B)to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart.

²⁷ And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, ^(A)he greatly helped those who had believed through grace;

Limits of Paul’s Authority

^12 (A)For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

³ And when I come, ^(A)whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem.

^19 (A)Again, ^[a]do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? ^(B)We speak before God in Christ. ^(C)But we do all things, beloved, for your edification.

⁸ For even if I should boast somewhat more ^(A)about our authority, which the Lord gave ^[a]us for ^[b]edification and not for your destruction, ^(B)I shall not be ashamed—

¹⁷ For we are not, as ^[a]so many, ^(A)peddling^[b] the word of God; but as ^(B)of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.