2 Corinthians 10

Spiritual Warfare and God's Power 2 Corinthians 10:3–6

³Verse 3. For though we walk in the flesh, we don’t wage war according to the flesh; ⁴Verse 4. for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds, ⁵Verse 5. throwing 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; ⁶Verse 6. and being in readiness to avenge all disobedience, when your obedience will be made full.

Judging by Spiritual Standards 2 Corinthians 10:7–11

⁷Verse 7. Do you look at things only as they appear in front of your face? If anyone trusts in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again with himself, that, even as he is Christ’s, so also we are Christ’s. ⁸Verse 8. For though I should boast somewhat abundantly concerning our authority, (which the Lord gave for building you up, and not for casting you down) I will not be disappointed, ⁹Verse 9. that I may not seem as if I desire to terrify you by my letters. ¹⁰Verse 10. For, “His letters”, they say, “are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech is despised.”

¹¹Verse 11. Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such are we also in deed when we are present.

Proper Limits of Apostolic Authority 2 Corinthians 10:12–15

¹²Verse 12. For we are not bold to number or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves. But they themselves, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are without understanding. ¹³Verse 13. But we will not boast beyond proper limits, but within the boundaries with which God appointed to us, which reach even to you. ¹⁴Verse 14. For we don’t stretch ourselves too much, as though we didn’t reach to you. For we came even as far as to you with the Good News of Christ, ¹⁵Verse 15. not boasting beyond proper limits in other men’s labors, but having hope that as your faith grows, we will be abundantly enlarged by you in our sphere of influence,

The Source of Commendation 2 Corinthians 10:16–18

¹⁶Verse 16. so as to preach the Good News even to the parts beyond you, not to boast in what someone else has already done. ¹⁷Verse 17. But “he who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.” ¹⁸Verse 18. For it isn’t he who commends himself who is approved, but whom the Lord commends.