10:1  NOW I myself, Paul, beseech you, by the gentleness and consideration of Christ [Himself; I] who [am] lowly enough [so they say] when among you face to face, but bold (fearless and outspoken) to you when [I am] absent from you!

10:2  I entreat you when I do come [to you] that I may not [be driven to such] boldness as I intend to show toward those few who suspect us of acting according to the flesh [on the low level of worldly motives and as if invested with only human powers].

10:3  For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh {and} using mere human weapons.

10:4  For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow {and} destruction of strongholds,

10:5  [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments {and} theories {and} reasonings and every proud {and} lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought {and} purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One),

10:6  Being in readiness to punish every [insubordinate for his] disobedience, when your own submission {and} obedience [as a church] are fully secured {and} complete.

10:7  Look at [this obvious fact] which is before your eyes. If anyone is confident that he is Christ's, let him reflect {and} remind himself that even as he is Christ's, so too are we.

10:8  For even though I boast rather freely about our power {and} authority, which the Lord gave for your upbuilding and not for demolishing you, yet I shall not be put to shame [for exceeding the truth],

10:9  Neither would I seem to be overawing {or} frightening you with my letters;

10:10  For they say, His letters are weighty {and} impressive and forceful {and} telling, but his personality {and} bodily presence are weak, and his speech {and} delivery are utterly contemptible (of no account).

10:11  Let such people realize that what we say by letters when we are absent, [we put] also into deeds when we are present--

10:12  Not that we [have the audacity to] venture to class or [even to] compare ourselves with some who exalt {and} furnish testimonials for themselves! However, when they measure themselves with themselves and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding {and} behave unwisely.

10:13  We, on the other hand, will not boast beyond our legitimate province {and} proper limit, but will keep within the limits [of our commission which] God has allotted us as our measuring line and which reaches {and} includes even you.

10:14  For we are not overstepping the limits of our province {and} stretching beyond our ability to reach, as though we reached not (had no legitimate mission) to you, for we were [the very first] to come even as far as to you with the good news (the Gospel) of Christ.

10:15  We do not boast therefore, beyond our proper limit, over other men's labors, but we have the hope {and} confident expectation that as your faith continues to grow, our field among you may be greatly enlarged, still within the limits of our commission,

10:16  So that [we may even] preach the Gospel in lands [lying] beyond you, without making a boast of work already done in another [man's] sphere of activity [before we came on the scene].

10:17  However, let him who boasts {and} glories boast {and} glory in the Lord.

10:18  For [it is] not [the man] who praises {and} commends himself who is approved {and} accepted, but [it is the person] whom the Lord accredits {and} commends.