Paul gives the church three more reasons to accept his apostolic authority and teaching. They center on God and God’s work in Paul, not in Paul himself. He explains that God gave him a heavenly vision, that God gave him a thorn to keep him humble, and God also permitted him to exercise apostolic signs. His emphasis is on weakness because God's power is very evident in human weakness. For these reasons, the Corinthians should give Paul a good hearing.

The book of Proverbs offers us many incentives to be truthful, and to put away lying lips. The idea of "truth" in Proverbs--and all of Scripture-- is not relative to one's opinion, circumstances, or culture. Truth is what is revealed in God's Word. We learn that God delights in the truth, and so do those who are recipients of truthful speech. Truth is also irrefutable and necessary for upholding the testimony of the who are just and innocent. Truthfulness arises from a heart that is pure and undefiled. Lying, on the other hand, exposes the sinful and evil intents of the heart. Those who lie are detestable in the sight of others and will only bring shame and ruin upon themselves.

For our Lord's Table service, we thought through how our love for God should be a warm, close love, like that of the Lord for His people. If our love is cold and distant with little conversation (prayer) and time spent in worship, then we really need to ask God's help.