Paul’s Concern for the Corinthians

You have made me act like a fool—boasting like this. You ought to be writing commendations for me, for I am not at all
inferior to these “super apostles,” even though I am nothing at all. When I was with you, I certainly gave you proof
that I am an apostle. For I patiently did many signs and wonders and miracles among you. The only thing I failed to do,
which I do in the other churches, was to become a financial burden to you. Please forgive me for this wrong!

Now I am coming to you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you. I don’t want what you have—I want you.
After all, children don’t provide for their parents. Rather, parents provide for their children. I will gladly spend myself
and all I have for you, even though it seems that the more I love you, the less you love me.

Some of you admit I was not a burden to you. But others still think I was sneaky and took advantage of you by trickery.
But how? Did any of the men I sent to you take advantage of you? When I urged Titus to visit you and sent our other
brother with him, did Titus take advantage of you? No! For we have the same spirit and walk in each other’s steps, doing
things the same way.

Perhaps you think we’re saying these things just to defend ourselves. No, we tell you this as Christ’s servants, and with
God as our witness. Everything we do, dear friends, is to strengthen you. For I am afraid that when I come I won’t like
what I find, and you won’t like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness,
slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior. Yes, I am afraid that when I come again, God will humble me in your
presence. And I will be grieved because many of you have not given up your old sins. You have not repented of your
impurity, sexual immorality, and eagerness for lustful pleasure.