10:1 Now I Paul am personally exhorting you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ. On the one hand, when present with you I am base; but on the other hand, when absent I am bold toward you. |
10:2 But I am beseeching you so that, when I am present, I may not have to be bold with the confidence with which I intend to show boldness toward some, who think that we are walking according to the flesh. |
10:3 For although we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. |
10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the overthrowing of strongholds, |
10:5 Casting down vain imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought into the obedience of Christ; |
10:6 And having a readiness to avenge all disobedience, whenever your obedience has been fulfilled. |
10:7 Are you looking at things according to their appearance? If anyone is persuaded in his own mind that he is Christ's, let him reconsider this concerning himself; for exactly as he is Christ's, so also are we Christ's. |
10:8 For even if I should boast somewhat more concerning our authority, which the Lord has given to us for your edification and not for your destruction, I shall not be put to shame |
10:9 In order that I may not seem as though I am frightening you by means of epistles. |
10:10 "For on the one hand," they say, "his epistles are weighty and strong; but on the other hand, his bodily presence is weak, and his speech is contemptible." |
10:11 Let such a one think about this: that exactly as we are in word by epistles when we are absent, so we will be in action when we are present. |
10:12 But we dare not join ranks with or compare ourselves with those who are commending themselves; for those who measure themselves by themselves, and compare themselves with themselves, have no understanding. |
10:13 Now we will not boast of things beyond our measure, but according to the measure of the rule that God has distributed to us, which extends even to you. |
10:14 For we are not stretching beyond our measure, as if we did not extend to you (for we also came to you with the gospel of Christ). |
10:15 We are not boasting in things beyond our measure, such as other men's labors; but we have hope that when your faith is increased, we will be abundantly enriched by you according to our rule of faith, |
10:16 In order to preach the gospel to the regions beyond you, and not to boast in things made ready in another man's territory. |
10:17 But the one who is boasting, let him boast in the Lord. |
10:18 For the one who is approved is not the one who commends himself, but the one whom the Lord commends. |