1Now I Paul myself entreat you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ , I who in your presence am lowly among you , but being absent am of good courage toward you : 2yea , I beseech you , that I may not when present show courage with the confidence wherewith I count to be bold against some , who count of us as if we walked according to the flesh . 3For though we walk in the flesh , we do not war according to the flesh 4( for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh , but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds ); 5casting down imaginations , and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God , and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ ; 6and being in readiness to avenge all disobedience , when your obedience shall be made full .
Paul's Authority and Apostolic Credentials
7Ye look at the things that are before your face . If any man trusteth in himself that he is Christ ’s, let him consider this again with himself , that , even as he is Christ ’s, so also are we . 8For though I should glory somewhat abundantly concerning our authority ( which the Lord gave for building you up , and not for casting you down ), I shall not be put to shame: 9that I may not seem as if I would terrify you by my letters . 10For , His letters , they say , are weighty and strong ; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account . 11Let such a one reckon this , that , what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such are we also in deed when we are present . 12For we are not bold to number or compare ourselves with certain of them that commend themselves : but they themselves , measuring themselves by themselves , and comparing themselves with themselves , are without understanding .
Boasting in the Lord
13But we will not glory beyond our measure , but according to the measure of the province which God apportioned to us as a measure , to reach even unto you . 14For we stretch not ourselves overmuch, as though we reached not unto you : for we came even as far as unto you in the gospel of Christ : 15not glorying beyond our measure, that is , in other men ’ s labors ; but having hope that , as your faith groweth , we shall be magnified in you according to our province unto further abundance , 16so as to preach the gospel even unto the parts beyond you , and not to glory in another ’s province in regard of things ready to our hand . 17But he that glorieth , let him glory in the Lord . 18For not he that commendeth himself is approved , but whom the Lord commendeth .