1 Now I Paul myself beseech you, by the mildness and modesty of Christ, who in presence indeed am lowly 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 am thought to be bold, against some, who reckon 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 weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty to God unto the pulling down of fortifications, destroying counsels,
5 And every height that exhalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every understanding unto the obedience of Christ;
6 And having in readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience shall be fulfilled.
7 See the things that are according to outward appearance. If any man trust to himself, that he is Christ's, let him think this again with himself, that as he is Christ's, so are we also.
8 For if also I should boast somewhat more of our power, which the Lord hath given us unto edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed.
9 But that I may not be thought as it were to terrify you by epistles,
10 (For his epistles indeed, say they, are weighty and strong; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible,)
11 Let such a one think this, that such as we are in word by epistles, when absent, such also we will be indeed when present.
12 For we dare not match, or compare ourselves with some, that commend themselves; but we measure ourselves by ourselves, and compare ourselves with ourselves.
13 But we will not glory beyond our measure; but according to the measure of the rule, which God hath measured to us, a measure to reach even unto you.
14 For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as if we reached not unto you. For we are come as far as to you in the gospel of Christ.
15 Not glorying beyond measure in other men's labours; but having hope of your increasing faith, to be magnified in you according to our rule abundantly;
16 Yea, unto those places that are beyond you, to preach the gospel, not to glory in another man's rule, in those things that are made ready to our hand.
17 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
18 For not he who commendeth himself, is approved, but he, whom God commendeth.
Versículos relacionados com 2 Corinthians, 10:
Chapter 10 of Paul's second letter to the Corinthians is dedicated to defending the apostle against those who accuse him of being weak and not having authority as leader of the church. Paul begins by explaining that although he is a human leader, his authority comes from God and that he is not fighting human weapons, but with divine help. He then continues to argue that his criticism is not personal, but for the good of the Church and for the glory of God. Here are five verses related to the topics addressed in 2 Corinthians 10:
Ephesians 6:12: "For our struggle is not against blood and flesh, but against the principalities and the powers, against the dominators of this dark world, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly regions." This verse emphasizes the idea that Paul's struggle is not against human beings, but against the spiritual forces of evil.
Colossians 2:10: "And you are perfect in Him, which is the head of every principality and power." This verse points out that Paul's authority comes from Jesus Christ, which is the head of all authorities.
1 Corinthians 4:3-4: "However, it is very little to me to be judged by you or by a human court, nor do I judge myself. For I feel guilty, yet I consider myself justified, but I consider myself justified , for who judges me is the Lord. " This verse shows that Paul does not care about human opinion, but on the opinion of God, which really has the authority to judge him.
2 Corinthians 13:10: "Therefore I write these things being absent, so that when present, it does not use rigor, according to the authority that the Lord has given me for edification, and not for destruction." Here Paul again emphasizes that his authority comes from God and is used to build the church.
1 Peter 5:5: "Similarly you, the youngest, thirst subject to the elders. And girds you all with humility to each other, because God resists the superb, but gives grace to the humble." This verse highlights the importance of humility regarding leadership and suggests that the kind of leadership Paul is defending is a humble leadership and subject to God.
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