The Spiritual War
1 NowI, Paul, myselfampleading withyouby the meekness and gentleness of Christ—who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you.
2 But I beg youthat 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 For the weaponsof our warfarearenot carnal butmighty in Godfor pulling down strongholds,
5 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 and being ready to punish all disobedience whenyour obedience is fulfilled.
Reality of Paul’s Authority
7 Do you look at things according to the outward appearance?If anyone is convinced in himself that heisChrist’s, let him again consider this in himself, that just as he is Christ’s, even soweareChrist’s.
8 For even if I should boast somewhat moreabout our authority, which the Lord gave us for edification and not for your destruction,I shall not be ashamed—
9 lest I seem to terrify you by letters.
10 “Forhisletters,” they say, “areweighty and powerful, buthisbodily presenceisweak, andhisspeech contemptible.”
11 Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, suchwewillalsobein deed when we are present.
Limits of Paul’s Authority
12 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 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 thoughourauthoritydid not extend to you),for it was to you that we came with the gospel of Christ;
15 not boasting of things beyond measure,thatis,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“he who glories, let him glory in theLord.”
18 Fornot he who commends himself is approved, butwhom the Lord commends.