1I wish you would put up with a little foolishness Mk 7:22; 2Co 11:17,21 from me. Yes, do put up with me. Or Yes, you are putting up with me

2For I am jealous Jms 3:16 over you with a godly jealousy, Nm 25:13; Gl 4:17 because I have promised you in marriage to one husband — to present a pure Php 4:8 virgin to Christ.

3But I fear that, as the serpent Gn 3:1; Lk 10:19 deceived Rm 7:11; 16:18; 1Co 3:18; 2Th 2:3; 1Tm 2:14 Eve Gn 3:20 by his cunning, your minds may be seduced from a complete and pure Other mss omit and pure devotion to Christ. 1Th 3:5

4For if a person comes and preaches another Jesus, 1Co 3:11 whom we did not preach, or you receive a different spirit, 1Jn 4:1 which you had not received, or a different gospel, Gl 1:6 which you had not accepted, you put up with it splendidly!

5Now I consider myself in no way inferior to the “super-apostles.” Jd 17

6Though untrained in public speaking, 1Co 1:17 I am certainly not untrained in knowledge. Php 3:8; 1Jn 4:8 Indeed, we have always made that clear to you in everything.

7Or did I commit a sin by humbling Lk 14:11 myself so that you might be exalted, Lk 1:52 because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge? Ac 18:3

8I robbed other churches by taking pay from them to minister to you.

9When I was present with you and in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia Ac 16:9 supplied my needs. Php 4:10 I have kept myself, and will keep myself, from burdening you in any way.

10As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be stopped Or silenced in the regions of Achaia. Ac 18:12

11Why? Because I don’t love you? God knows I do!

12But I will continue to do what I am doing, in order to deny Lit cut off the opportunity of those who want an opportunity to be regarded just as our equals in what they boast about.

13For such people are false apostles, Rv 2:2 deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.

14And no wonder! For Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

15So it is no great thing if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their destiny Lit end will be according to their works. Gl 3:10

16I repeat: No one should consider me a fool. But if you do, at least accept me as a fool, so I too may boast a little.

17What I say in this matter Or business, or confidence of boasting, I don’t speak as the Lord would, but foolishly.

18Since many boast in an unspiritual way, Lit boast according to the flesh I will also boast.

19For you, being so wise, gladly put up with fools! Pr 3:7

20In fact, you put up with it if someone enslaves you, if someone devours Gl 5:15 you, if someone captures you, if someone dominates you, or if someone hits Mt 5:39 you in the face.

21I say this to our shame: We have been weak.