2 Corinthians 10
10
Paul Defends His Work for Christ
1Do you think I am a coward when I am with you and brave when I am far away? Well, I ask you to listen, because Christ himself was humble and gentle. 2Some people have said we act like the people of this world. So when I arrive, I expect I will have to be firm and forceful in what I say to them. Please don't make me treat you that way. 3We live in this world, but we don't act like its people 4or fight our battles with the weapons of this world. Instead, we use God's power that can destroy fortresses. We destroy arguments 5and every bit of pride that keeps anyone from knowing God. We capture people's thoughts and make them obey Christ. 6And when you completely obey him, we will punish anyone who refuses to obey.
7You judge by appearances.#10.7 You judge by appearances: Or “Take a close look at yourselves.” If any of you think you are the only ones who belong to Christ, then think again. We belong to Christ as much as you do. 8Maybe I brag a little too much about the authority that the Lord gave me to help you and not to hurt you. Yet I am not embarrassed to brag. 9And I am not trying to scare you with my letters. 10Some of you are saying, “Paul's letters are harsh and powerful. But in person, he is a weakling and has nothing worth saying.” 11Those people had better understand that when I am with you, I will do exactly what I say in my letters.
12We won't dare compare ourselves with those who think so much of themselves. But they are foolish to compare themselves with themselves. 13We won't brag about something we don't have a right to brag about. We will only brag about the work God has sent us to do, and you are part of that work. 14We are not bragging more than we should. After all, we did bring the message about Christ to you.
15We don't brag about what others have done, as if we had done those things ourselves. But I hope as you become stronger in your faith, we will be able to reach many more of the people around you.#10.15 we will be able to reach many more of the people around you: Or “you will praise us even more because of our work among you.” That has always been our goal. 16Then we will be able to preach the good news in other lands where we cannot take credit for work someone else has already done. 17#Jr 9.24. The Scriptures say, “If you want to brag, then brag about the Lord.” 18You may brag about yourself, but the only approval that counts is the Lord's approval.
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Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)
© 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.
II Corinthians 10
10
The Spiritual War
1Now #Rom. 12:1I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—#1 Thess. 2:7who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you. 2But I beg you #1 Cor. 4:21; 2 Cor. 13:2, 10that when I am present I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. 3For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4#Eph. 6:13For the weapons #1 Cor. 9:7; (2 Cor. 6:7); 1 Tim. 1:18of our warfare are not carnal but #Acts 7:22mighty in God #Jer. 1:10; (2 Cor. 10:8; 13:10)for pulling down strongholds, 5#1 Cor. 1:19casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6#2 Cor. 13:2, 10and being ready to punish all disobedience when #2 Cor. 7:15your obedience is fulfilled.
Reality of Paul’s Authority
7#(John 7:24); 2 Cor. 5:12Do you look at things according to the outward appearance? #1 Cor. 1:12; 14:37If anyone is convinced in himself that he is Christ’s, let him again consider this in himself, that just as he is Christ’s, even so #(Rom. 14:8); 1 Cor. 3:23we are Christ’s. 8For even if I should boast somewhat more #2 Cor. 13:10about our authority, which the Lord gave us for edification and not for your destruction, #2 Cor. 7:14I shall not be ashamed— 9lest I seem to terrify you by letters. 10“For his letters,” they say, “are weighty and powerful, but #1 Cor. 2:3, 4; 2 Cor. 12:7; Gal. 4:13his bodily presence is weak, and his #(1 Cor. 1:17); 2 Cor. 11:6speech contemptible.” 11Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such we will also be in deed when we are present.
Limits of Paul’s Authority
12#2 Cor. 5:12For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. 13#2 Cor. 10:15We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us—a sphere which especially includes you. 14For we are not overextending ourselves (as though our authority did not extend to you), #1 Cor. 3:5, 6for it was to you that we came with the gospel of Christ; 15not boasting of things beyond measure, that is, #Rom. 15:20in other men’s labors, but having hope, that as your faith is increased, we shall be greatly enlarged by you in our sphere, 16to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s sphere of accomplishment.
17But #Is. 65:16; Jer. 9:24; 1 Cor. 1:31“he who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” 18For #Prov. 27:2not he who commends himself is approved, but #Rom. 2:29; (1 Cor. 4:5)whom the Lord commends.
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The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.