2 Corinthians 10

New King James Version

The Spiritual War

10 Now^(A)I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—^(B)who in presenceamlowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you.² But I begyou^(C)that 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.³ For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.^4 (D)For the weapons^(E)of our warfarearenot^[a]carnal but^(F)mighty in God^(G)for pulling down strongholds,^5 (H)casting 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 (I)and being ready to punish all disobedience when^(J)your obedience is fulfilled.

Reality of Paul’s Authority

^7 (K)Do you look at things according to the outward appearance?^(L)If anyone is convinced in himself that he is Christ’s, let him again consider this in himself, that just as heisChrist’s, even^[b]so^(M)weareChrist’s.⁸ For even if I should boast somewhat more^(N)about our authority, which the Lord gave^[c]us for^[d]edification and not for your destruction,^(O)I shall not be ashamed—⁹ lest I seem to terrify you by letters.¹⁰ “Forhisletters,” they say, “areweighty and powerful, but^(P)hisbodily presenceisweak, andhis^(Q)speech contemptible.”¹¹ Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, suchwe willalsobein deed when we are present.

Limits of Paul’s Authority

^12 (R)For 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 (S)We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us—a sphere which especially includes you.¹⁴ For we are not overextending ourselves (as thoughour authoritydid not extend to you),^(T)for it was to you that we came with the gospel of Christ;¹⁵ not boasting of things beyond measure,that is,^(U)in other men’s labors, but having hope,thatas your faith is increased, we shall be greatly enlarged by you in our sphere,¹⁶ to preach the gospel in theregionsbeyond you,andnot to boast in another man’s sphere of accomplishment.

¹⁷ But^(V)“he who glories, let him glory in theLord.”¹⁸ For^(W)not he who commends himself is approved, but^(X)whom the Lord commends.