I think this is a fascinating chapter but it is perhaps very easy to overlook as just Paul talking about himself.

Paul constantly risked his life. He traveled far. He was determined to spread the news of the world's savior. He took the Great Commission seriously.

At the same time, apparently, many false teachers were also traveling about, claiming to be prophets and to know the truth and yet largely there to just dupe money from the people. I think of what we might call a "snake oil" salesman from the late 1800s and early 1900s. "You have an ill? I have the pill? Any problem you have, I can sell you something to fix it." Lots of those guys still around, usually on late night infomercials.

But Paul spoke in truth ... and what could He do to make sure that He stood out from the rest? Well, He needed to tell them about himself ... tell people about all that He had endured and all that He was willing to endure because He knew the truth and had to speak the truth.

But this chapter also show why Paul did this ... because he loved the people he was talking to. He took seriously Jesus' commandment to love one another. And, out of love, he had to tell them how to have eternal life with the Father.

Here's what strikes me about this ... Paul's behavior is exactly what we should also be doing today ... out of our love for them, telling others about God's love for them, His sacrifice for them, and His desire for intimacy with them.

It makes me wonder ... when I do share with others, is it out of love ... or out of just feeling like it is what I am supposed to do. Doing it out of love undoubtedly makes a huge difference.