2 Corinthians / Paul's Apostolic Authority and Spiritual Warfare

Paul's Apostolic Authority and Spiritual Warfare

2 Corinthians 10:1-18

Chapter 10

¹ But I, Paul, myself exhort you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in person am lowly among you, but when absent boldly act toward you; ² I beg only that, though absent, I might be bold in the confidence which I reckon to dare against some who reckon us as walking according to the flesh. ³ for though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh— ⁴ For the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly but powerful to God for the overthrow of strongholds—overthrowing reasonings. ⁵ and every height raised up against the knowledge of God, and taking captive every thought into the obedience of Christ, ⁶ and having in readiness to avenge all disobedience, whenever your obedience is fulfilled. ⁷ You look at things according to appearance. If anyone has persuaded himself that he is of Christ, let him reckon this again with himself, that just as he is of Christ, so also we are. ⁸ For even if I boast a little more about our authority—which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you—I will not be put to shame. ⁹ so that I might not seem as if I am frightening you through the letters ¹⁰ because the letters, he says, are weighty and strong, but the bodily presence is weak and the word is despised. ¹¹ Let such a one reckon this: just as we are in word through letters when absent, we will also be in deed when present. ¹² For we do not dare to class ourselves or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but they, measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves with themselves, do not understand. ¹³ We, however, will not boast beyond our limits, but according to the measure of the rule that God apportioned to us—a measure to reach even as far as you— ¹⁴ For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we had not reached you, because we have reached you even with the gospel of Christ— ¹⁵ not boasting beyond measure in others' labors, but having hope that as your faith grows, we will be magnified according to our rule abundantly, ¹⁶ to proclaim the gospel in the regions beyond you, not to boast in another's sphere of authority unto the ready things. ¹⁷ But the one who boasts in the Lord, let him boast. ¹⁸ For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.