In this Bible study on 2 Corinthians 1:12–14, Fr. Gabriel reflects on St. Paul’s defense of his integrity and ministry. Paul emphasizes that he has acted with simplicity and godly sincerity, not using worldly wisdom but relying on the grace of God. Fr. Gabriel explains that Paul is being accused of insincerity and inconsistency, but Paul assures the Corinthians that his actions and teachings have been transparent and rooted in God’s grace—not in his own wisdom or agenda.

Fr. Gabriel connects Paul’s message to the spiritual life, emphasizing how pride can show up either as self-reliance or as despair. He unpacks how true boasting is not about our own accomplishments but about what God has done through us. Paul’s honesty about his own struggles reminds us that even in deep suffering, God can bring transformation when we learn to surrender our will and trust Him. The goal is not self-sufficiency, but synergy—working with God in simplicity and humility.

The study closes with a discussion on discernment and living with a pure heart. Fr. Gabriel encourages cultivating an “honest and good heart,” echoing Christ’s words about the good soil. He emphasizes that the Christian life should be marked by childlike trust, simplicity, and listening to God’s will over our own. When we live this way, we allow God’s grace to work in and through us—just as it did in the life and ministry of St. Paul.