哥林多後書 10
保羅為他的工作辯護
1 我－保羅，就是與你們見面的時候是謙卑的，不在你們那裏的時候向你們是勇敢的，如今親自藉著基督的溫柔、和平勸你們。 2 有人以為我是憑著血氣行事，我也以為必須用勇敢待這等人；求你們不要叫我在你們那裏的時候，有這樣的勇敢。 3 因為我們雖然在血氣中行事，卻不憑著血氣爭戰。 4 我們爭戰的兵器本不是屬血氣的，乃是在上帝面前有能力，可以攻破堅固的營壘， 5 將各樣的計謀，各樣攔阻人認識上帝的那些自高之事，一概攻破了，又將人所有的心意奪回，使他都順服基督。 6 並且我已經預備好了，等你們十分順服的時候，要責罰那一切不順服的人。
7 你們是看眼前的嗎？倘若有人自信是屬基督的，他要再想想，他如何屬基督，我們也是如何屬基督的。 8 主賜給我們權柄，是要造就你們，並不是要敗壞你們；我就是為這權柄稍微誇口，也不至於慚愧。 9 我說這話，免得你們以為我寫信是要威嚇你們； 10 因為有人說：「他的信又沉重又厲害，及至見面，卻是氣貌不揚，言語粗俗的。」 11 這等人當想，我們不在那裏的時候，信上的言語如何，見面的時候，行事也必如何。 12 因為我們不敢將自己和那自薦的人同列相比。他們用自己度量自己，用自己比較自己，乃是不通達的。 13 我們不願意分外誇口，只要照上帝所量給我們的界限搆到你們那裏。 14 我們並非過了自己的界限，好像搆不到你們那裏；因為我們早到你們那裏，傳了基督的福音。
當指著主誇口
15 我們不仗著別人所勞碌的，分外誇口；但指望你們信心增長的時候，所量給我們的界限，就可以因著你們更加開展， 16 得以將福音傳到你們以外的地方；並不是在別人界限之內，藉著他現成的事誇口。 17 但誇口的，當指著主誇口。 18 因為蒙悅納的，不是自己稱許的，乃是主所稱許的。
2 Corinthians 10
Paul’s Authority from the Lord
1 Now I, Paul, appeal to yout personallyt by the meekness and gentlenesst of Christ (I who am meekt when present amongt you, but am full of couraget toward you when away!) –2 now I ask that when I am present I may not have to be bold with the confidence that (I expect) I will dare to use against some who consider us to be behavingt according to human standards.t3 For though we livet as human beings,t we do not wage war according to human standards,t4 for the weapons of our warfare are not human weapons,t but are made powerful by Godt for tearing down strongholds.s We tear down argumentst5 and every arrogant obstaclet that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to make it obeyt Christ.6 We are also ready to punish every act of disobedience,t whenever your obedience is complete.7 You are looking at outward appearances.t If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should reflect on this again: Just as he himself belongs to Christ, so too do we.8 For if I boast somewhat more about our authority that the Lord gave ust for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of doing so.t9 I do not want to seem as though I am trying to terrify you with my letters,10 because some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but his physical presence is weakt and his speech is of no account.”t
11 Let such a person consider this: What we sayt by letters when we are absent, we also are in actions when we are present.
Paul’s Mission
12 For we would not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who recommend themselves. But when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding.t13 But we will not boast beyond certain limits,t but will confine our boastingt according to the limits of the work to which God has appointed us,t that reaches even as far as you.14 For we were not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach as far as you, because we were the first to reach as far as you with the gospel about Christ.t15 Nor do we boast beyond certain limitst in the workt done by others, but we hopet that as your faith continues to grow, our work may be greatly expandedt among you according to our limits,t16 so that we may preach the gospel in the regions that lie beyond you, and not boast of work already done in another person’s area.17 But the one who boasts must boast in the Lord.ts
18 For it is not the person who commends himself who is approved, but the person the Lord commends.