1Now 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 : 2But 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 . 3For 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 ;) 5Casting 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 ; 6And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience , when your obedience is fulfilled .
Paul's Authority and Apostolic Credentials
7Do 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 . 8For 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 : 9That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters . 10For his letters , say they , are weighty and powerful ; but his bodily presence is weak , and his speech contemptible . 11Let 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 . 12For 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 .
Boasting in the Lord
13But 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 . 14For 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 : 15Not 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 , 16To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you , and not to boast in another man’s line of things made 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 .