2 Corinthians 10:3-18

3For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war 1according to the flesh, 4for the 2weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but 3divinely powerful 4for the destruction of fortresses. 5We are destroying speculations and every 5lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the 6obedience of Christ, 6and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever 7your obedience is complete.

789You are looking at 10things as they are outwardly. 11If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ’s, 12so also are we. 8For even if 13I boast somewhat 14further about our 15authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be put to shame, 916for I do not wish to seem as if I would terrify you by my letters. 10For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his 17personal presence is 18unimpressive and 19his speech contemptible.” 11Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when absent, such persons we are also in deed when present.

12For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with 20some of those who 21commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding. 13But we will not boast 22beyond our measure, but 2324within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you. 14For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we did not reach to you, for 25we were the first to come even as far as you in the 26gospel of Christ; 15not boasting 27beyond our measure, that is, in 28other men’s labors, but with the hope that as 29your faith grows, we will be, 30within our sphere, 31enlarged even more by you, 16so as to 32preach the gospel even to 33the regions beyond you, and not to boast 3435in what has been accomplished in the sphere of another. 17But 36he who boasts is to boast in the Lord. 18For it is not he who 37commends himself that is approved, but he 38whom the Lord commends.