2Cor 5:13 Cross References

2 Corinthians 5:13

13: If it seems that we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit.

Once again, don't think that I have lost my wits to talk like this. But even if you do, listen to me, as you would to a foolish person, while I also boast a little.
Such bragging is not something the Lord wants, but I am acting like a fool.

Suddenly, Festus shouted, "Paul, you are insane. Too much study has made you crazy!"
But Paul replied, "I am not insane, Most Excellent Festus. I am speaking the sober truth.

I have plenty to boast about and would be no fool in doing it, because I would be telling the truth. But I won't do it. I don't want anyone to think more highly of me than what they can actually see in my life and my message,

I hope you will be patient with me as I keep on talking like a fool. Please bear with me.

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.

Our dedication to Christ makes us look like fools, but you are so wise! We are weak, but you are so powerful! You are well thought of, but we are laughed at.
To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, without enough clothes to keep us warm. We have endured many beatings, and we have no homes of our own.
We have worked wearily with our own hands to earn our living. We bless those who curse us. We are patient with those who abuse us.
We respond gently when evil things are said about us. Yet we are treated like the world's garbage, like everybody's trash--right up to the present moment.

David retorted to Michal, "I was dancing before the LORD, who chose me above your father and his family! He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the LORD. So I am willing to act like a fool in order to show my joy in the LORD.
Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, but I will be held in honor by the girls of whom you have spoken!"

As God's messenger, I give each of you this warning: Be honest in your estimate of yourselves, measuring your value by how much faith God has given you.

My purpose was not to write about who did the wrong or who was wronged. I wrote to you so that in the sight of God you could show how much you really do care for us.

I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am completing what remains of Christ's sufferings for his body, the church.

So you can see that we were not preaching with any deceit or impure purposes or trickery.
For we speak as messengers who have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He is the one who examines the motives of our hearts.
Never once did we try to win you with flattery, as you very well know. And God is our witness that we were not just pretending to be your friends so you would give us money!
As for praise, we have never asked for it from you or anyone else.
As apostles of Christ we certainly had a right to make some demands of you, but we were as gentle among you as a mother feeding and caring for her own children.

For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. And you know that the way we lived among you was further proof of the truth of our message.

I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.

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