After all, if I were to grieve you, who should make me happy but the person I am making sad?

This is the very reason I wrote you, so that when I did come I might not be made sad by those who should have made me happy. For I had confidence that all of you would share the joy that I have.

He died for all people, so that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for the one who died and rose for them.

Not that others should have relief while you have hardship. Rather, it is a question of fairness.

Look at the plain facts! If anyone is confident that he belongs to the Messiah, he should remind himself of this: Just as he belongs to the Messiah, so do we.

Someone like this should take note of the following: What we say by letter when we are absent is what we will do when present!

"The person who boasts should boast in the Lord."

For if someone comes along and preaches another Jesus than the one we preached, or should you receive a different spirit from the one you received or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you are all too willing to listen.

I will say it again: No one should think that I am a fool. But if you do, then treat me like a fool so that I can also boast a little.

I have become a fool. You forced me to be one. Really, I should have been commended by you, for I am not in any way inferior to your "super-apostles," even if I am nothing.

Now I'm ready to visit you for a third time, and I will not bother you for help. I do not want your things, but rather you yourselves. Children should not have to support their parents, but parents their children.