Paul and the False Apostles

I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness. Do bear with me!

Paul's Sufferings as an Apostle

I repeat, let no one think me foolish. But even if you do, accept me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little.

What I am saying with this boastful confidence, I say not as the Lord would but as a fool.

For you gladly bear with fools, being wise yourselves!

To my shame, I must say, we were too weak for that! But whatever anyone else dares to boast of—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast of that.

though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me.

Concern for the Corinthian Church

I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing.