(Tap footnote to read it. Old Testament quotations are underlined. "Love" with a caret ("^love") is agapé.1"agapé" The Greek words ἀγάπη (agapé, noun), and ἀγαπάω (agapaó; verb) are typically translated "love". However, unlike our English word "love" – which primarily speaks of affection and feelings – agapé centers on choice and behavior. It’s the "love" based on will, choice, behavior, and action; not feelings. (Feelings-based love is the Greek word φιλέω (phileó), which properly means "brotherly love/affection".) Thus, you could hate someone passionately and still treat him with "agapé". Agapé "love" is best understood as the pursuit of what is most beneficial to someone or something, regardless of the cost to yourself or the type of response received from the person or thing. It can also indicate a preference for someone or something over other things. )
Paul’s Sarcastic Boasting Continues
- To boast is necessary, but indeed not profitable, yet I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.
- I have known a man in the Anointed fourteen years ago. (I haven’t known whether in the body or out of the body, I don’t *know; God *knows) Such a man was snatched up to the third heaven.
- And I have known such a man, (whether in the body or separate from the body, I haven’t known; God has known)
- that he was snatched up into paradise and heard unspeakably holy1“unspeakably holy” is one word in Greek which refers to words which are so holy they either cannot or should not be spoken by man words not lawful for man to speak.
- I will boast about such a man, but I won’t boast about myself except in my weaknesses.
- For even if I wanted to boast, I wouldn’t be a fool for I would speak the truth. But I refrain, lest someone think of me more than what he sees in me or hears of me,
- and the exceeding greatness of my revelations. Therefore, a thorn in the flesh was given to me so I don’t exalt myself;2“exalt myself” could also be translated “be exalted” because the middle and passive endings for this Greek word are the same. a messenger of Satan to torment me so I don’t exalt myself.3“I don’t exalt myself” see previous note
- I begged the Lord about this three times so it might depart from me.
- And He has said to me, “My grace is enough for you, for My power is completed in weakness.” Therefore I would rather boast4“I would rather boast” is more literally “I will rather boast most gladly in my weaknesses so the power of the Anointed might encamp5“encamp” The Greek word here literally means to pitch a tent and live there. on me.
- Therefore I’m pleased in weaknesses, in injuries, in calamities, in persecutions, and in distresses for the sake of the Anointed; for when I’m weak, then I’m strong.
- I have become like a foolish man; you compelled me to for I ought to be commended by you. For I fell short of the ‘super apostles’ in nothing, even if I am nothing.
- Indeed, the signs of a true apostle were performed among you in all endurance, and in signs of both wonders and miracles.
- For in what were you inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I myself didn’t burden you? Forgive me for this ‘injustice’.
Paul’s Upcoming Visit
- Behold, this third time I’m ready to come to you, and I won’t burden you. For I don’t seek what’s yours, but you. For the children aren’t obligated to save up for the parents, but the parents to save up for the children.
- But I will most gladly spend – and will be completely spent – for the sake of your souls. If I’m ^loving you abundantly, am I ^loved less?
- But so be it. I didn’t burden you, but – being cunning – I took you through trickery.
- Of any man whom I have sent to you, I didn’t exploit you through him, did I?
- I urged Titus to go and sent the brother with him. Titus didn’t exploit you, did he? Didn’t we walk in the same spirit? Didn’t we walk in the same steps?
- Do you think that we are defending ourselves to you all along? We speak in front of God in the Anointed. And beloved, all things are for the sake of building you up.
- For I fear, lest having come to you, I perhaps might not find you such as I desire, and I might not be found by you such as you desire. Lest perhaps there is quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, slanders, covert slanders, arrogance, and disorder.
- Lest with me having come again, my God might humble me before you and I might mourn many of the men who *sinned beforehand and didn’t repent of the impurity, and fornication, and wanton debauchery that they did.
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