2 Corinthians 10

1 Now I Paul, myself, entreat you by the humility and gentleness of Christ; I who in your presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you.2 Yes, I beg you that I may not, when present, show courage with the confidence with which I intend to be bold against some, who consider us to be walking according to the flesh.3 For though we walk in the flesh, we don’t wage war according to the flesh;4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds,5 throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ;6 and being in readiness to avenge all disobedience, when your obedience will be made full.7 Do you look at things only as they appear in front of your face? If anyone trusts in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again with himself, that, even as he is Christ’s, so also we are Christ’s.8 For though I should boast somewhat abundantly concerning our authority, (which the Lord gave for building you up, and not for casting you down) I will not be disappointed,9 that I may not seem as if I desire to terrify you by my letters.10 For, “His letters,” they say, “are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech is despised.”11 Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such are we also in deed when we are present.12 For we are not bold to number or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves. But they themselves, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are without understanding.13 But we will not boast beyond proper limits, but within the boundaries with which God appointed to us, which reach even to you.14 For we don’t stretch ourselves too much, as though we didn’t reach to you. For we came even as far as to you with the Good News of Christ,15 not boasting beyond proper limits in other men’s labors, but having hope that as your faith grows, we will be abundantly enlarged by you in our sphere of influence,16 so as to preach the Good News even to the parts beyond you, not to boast in what someone else has already done.17 But “he who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.”t

18 For it isn’t he who commends himself who is approved, but whom the Lord commends.

2 Corinthians 10

Paul Describes Himself

1 Now I, Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ-I who am meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent!2 I ask that when I am present I need not be bold with the confidence with which I propose to be courageous against some, who regard us as if we walked according to the flesh.3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh,4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.5  We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,6 and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.

7 You are looking at things as they are outwardly. If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ's, let him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ's, so also are we.8 For even if I boast somewhat further about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be put to shame,9 for I do not wish to seem as if I would terrify you by my letters.10 For they say, "His letters are weighty and strong, but his personal presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible."11 Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when absent, such persons we are also in deed when present.

12 For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding.13 But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you.14 For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we did not reach to you, for we were the first to come even as far as you in the gospel of Christ;15 not boasting beyond our measure, that is, in other men's labors, but with the hope that as your faith grows, we will be, within our sphere, enlarged even more by you,16 so as to preach the gospel even to the regions beyond you, and not to boast in what has been accomplished in the sphere of another.17 But HE WHO BOASTS IS TO BOAST IN THE LORD.18 For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends.