For our momentary, light suffering is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison

But you should be eager for the greater gifts. And now I will show you a way that is beyond comparison.

For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how I was savagely persecuting the church of God and trying to destroy it.

Did that which is good, then, become death to me? Absolutely not! But sin, so that it would be shown to be sin, produced death in me through what is good, so that through the commandment sin would become utterly sinful.

For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, regarding the affliction that happened to us in the province of Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of living.