New Testament · 2 Corinthians

2 Corinthians 10

Paul’s Apostolic Authority

1Now I, Paul myself, urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Messiah — I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent! 2I 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 flesh^a.

3For though we walk in flesh, we do not war according to flesh, 4for the weapons of our warfare are not of flesh but powerful^b through God for the destruction of fortresses. 5We are destroying reasonings^c and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge^d of God, and we are taking every thought^e captive to the obedience of Messiah, 6and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.

7You are looking at things as they are outwardly; if anyone is confident in himself that he is of Messiah, let him consider this again within himself, that just as he is of Messiah, so also are we. 8For even if I boast somewhat further about our authority^f, which the Lord gave us for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be put to shame,

9for I do not wish to seem as if I would terrify you by my letters. 10For they say, "His letters are weighty and strong, but his personal presence is unimpressive and his speech^g contemptible." 11Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when absent, such persons we are also in deed when present.

12For 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. 13But 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. 14For 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 good news of Messiah;

15not boasting beyond our measure, that is, in other men's labors, but with the hope^h that as your faith grows, we will be, within our sphere, enlarged even more by you, 16so as to proclaim the good news even to the regions beyond you, and not to boast in what has been accomplished in the sphere of another.

17But he who boasts is to boast in the Lord. 18For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends.