“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.” (2 Corinthians 10:1-18 AV)
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