For we don’t want you to be unaware, brothers, of our affliction that took place in Asia: we were completely overwhelmed—beyond our strength—so that we even despaired of life.

He has also sealed us and given us the Spirit as a down payment in our hearts.

we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed.

And the One who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment.

For we must all appear before the tribunal of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or worthless.

Working together with Him, we also appeal to you, “Don’t receive God’s grace in vain.”

I don’t say this to condemn you, for I have already said that you are in our hearts, to live together and to die together.

For if I boast some more about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for tearing you down, I am not ashamed.

I don’t want to seem as though I am trying to terrify you with my letters.

For we don’t dare classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. But in measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves to themselves, they lack understanding.

so that we may proclaim the good news to the regions beyond you, not boasting about what has already been done in someone else’s area of ministry.

Why? Because I don’t love you? God knows I do!

What I say in this matter of boasting, I don’t speak as the Lord would, but foolishly.

so I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his hands.

I know a man in Christ who was caught up into the third heaven 14 years ago. Whether he was in the body or out of the body, I don’t know, God knows.

This is why I am writing these things while absent, that when I am there I will not use severity, in keeping with the authority the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.