2 Corinthians

The second epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians, chapter 10, New English Translation and King James Version

Chapter 10 New English Translation

Paul's Authority from the LORD

1 Now I, Paul, appeal to you personally by the meekness and gentleness of Christ (I who am meek when present among you, but am full of courage toward you when away! ) - 2 now I ask that when I am present I may not have to be bold with the confidence that (I expect) I will dare to use against some who consider us to be behaving according to human standards. 3 For though we live as human beings, we do not wage war according to human standards, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not human weapons, but are made powerful by God for tearing down strongholds. We tear down arguments 5 and every arrogant obstacle that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to make it obey Christ. 6 We are also ready to punish every act of disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete. 7 You are looking at outward appearances. If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should reflect on this again: Just as he himself belongs to Christ, so too do we. 8 For if I boast somewhat more about our authority that the LORD gave us for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of doing so. 9 I do not want to seem as though I am trying to terrify you with my letters, 10 because some say, "His letters are weighty and forceful, but his physical presence is weak and his speech is of no account." 11 Let such a person consider this: What we say by letters when we are absent, we also are in actions when we are present.

Paul's Mission

12 For we would not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who recommend themselves. But when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding. 13 But we will not boast beyond certain limits, but will confine our boasting according to the limits of the work to which God has appointed us, that reaches even as far as you. 14 For we were not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach as far as you, because we were the first to reach as far as you with the gospel about Christ. 15 Nor do we boast beyond certain limits in the work done by others, but we hope that as your faith continues to grow, our work may be greatly expanded among you according to our limits, 16 so that we may preach the gospel in the regions that lie beyond you, and not boast of work already done in another person's area. 17 But the one who boasts must boast in the LORD. 18 For it is not the person who commends himself who is approved, but the person the LORD commends.

King James Version

   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, 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.