I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I don't know, or whether out of the body, I don't know; God knows), such a one caught up into the third heaven.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I don't mean to prescribe to you, but that the zeal of others may show you are as sincerely well-affected.

for tho' I am involv'd with the world, I don't sustain the war with their poor arts:

I don't assume to myself the credit of other men's labours in another province, but hope, that when your faith is increased, the bounds now prescribed will be enlarged by you yet farther;

but tho' I don't know whether it was in the body, or out of the body, which God only knows,