"We having the same spirit of faith," Paul continued, "according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak." Fully convinced of the reality of the truth entrusted to him, nothing could induce Paul to handle the word of God deceitfully or to conceal the convictions of his soul. He would not purchase wealth, honor, or pleasure by conformity to the opinions of the world. Though in constant danger of martyrdom for the faith that he had preached to the Corinthians, he was not intimidated, for he knew that He who had died and risen again would raise him from the grave and present him to the Father. 332

"Men da vi har den samme troens Ånd," vedblev Paulus, "som i skriftordet: "Jeg troede, derfor talte jeg," så tror vi også og derfor taler vi også." I fuld overbevisning om virkeligheden i den sandhed, der var ham betroet, kunne intet påvirke Paulus til at omgås Guds ord svigefuldt eller til at skjule sin sjæls forvisning. Han ville ikke erhverve sig rigdom, ære eller nydelse ved at vise eftergivenhed overfor verdens meninger. Skønt han var i bestandig fare for at lide martyrdøden for den tro, han havde prædiket for korinterne, lod han sig ikke skræmme; thi han vidste, at han, som var død og opstanden, atter ville oprejse ham fra graven og føre ham frem for Faderen.