Shared Word Translation
2 Corinthians 10
Paul Defends His Ministry
Now I, Paul, myself appeal to you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent— I beg that when I am present I may not have to be bold with the confidence by which I consider showing boldness against some who think of us as walking according to the flesh.
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power for the tearing down of strongholds. We tear down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.
Look at what is before your eyes. If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, let him consider again that just as he belongs to Christ, so also do we. For even if I boast somewhat excessively about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be put to shame.
I do not want to seem as though I am frightening you by my letters. For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account.” Let such a person understand that what we say by letter when absent, we also do when present.
For we do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding.
But we will not boast beyond measure, but within the measure of the sphere that God has assigned to us—a measure that reaches even to you. For we are not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach you, for we were the first to come even to you with the good news of Christ.
We do not boast beyond measure in the labors of others, but our hope is that as your faith increases, our sphere among you may be enlarged still more, so that we may proclaim the good news in lands beyond you, without boasting in work already done in another’s sphere.
“Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.