Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also came across him. Some said, "Whatever does the fellow mean with his scraps of learning'?" Others said, "He looks like a herald of foreign deities" (this was because he preached 'Jesus' and 'the Resurrection').

When he brought this forward in his defence, Festus called out, "Paul, you are quite mad! Your great learning is driving you insane."

Are wise

You Corinthians have your heart's desire already, have you? You have heaven's rich bliss already! You have come into your kingdom without us! I wish indeed you had come into your kingdom, so that we could share it with you!

Shun idolatry, then, my beloved.

We are weak

It was in weakness and fear and with great trembling that I visited you;

My opponent says, 'Paul's letters are weighty and telling, but his personality is weak and his delivery is beneath contempt.'

Who is weak, and I do not feel his weakness? Whose faith is hurt, and I am not aglow with indignation?

but he told me, "It is enough for you to have my grace: it is in weakness that [my] power is fully felt." So I am proud to boast of all my weakness, and thus to have the power of Christ resting on my life.

That will prove to you that I am indeed a spokesman of Christ. It is no weak Christ you have to do with, but a Christ of power.

But ye

I fed you with milk, not with solid food. You were not able for solid food, and you are not able even now;

So let anyone who thinks he stands secure, take care in case he falls.

But we

He who listens to you listens to me, he who rejects you rejects me, and he who rejects me rejects him who sent me."

He also told the following parable to certain persons who were sure of their own goodness and looked down upon everybody else.

hence, he who disregards this, disregards not man but the God who gave you his holy Spirit.

General references

It was in weakness and fear and with great trembling that I visited you;

I am speaking to sensible people; weigh my words for yourselves.

Let us go to him outside the camp, then, bearing his obloquy