1 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of
Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold
toward you: 2 But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present
with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which
think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God
to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5 Casting down imaginations, and
every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and
bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
6 And
having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience
is fulfilled.
7 Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man
trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this
again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.
8 For though I
should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given
us for edification (to build you up), and not for your destruction, I should not be
ashamed: 9 That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters. 10
For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily
presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. 11 Let such an one think
this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such
will we be also in deed when we are present.
12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare
ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring
themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are
not wise.
13 But we will not boast of things without our measure, but
according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a
measure to reach even unto you.
14 For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we
reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching
the gospel of Christ: 15 Not boasting of things without our measure, that
is, of other men's labours; but having hope, when your faith is
increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule
abundantly, 16 To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not
to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand.
17 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
18 For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.
Beginning of This Chapter
Table of Content