KJV
2 Corinthians 10
1¶ Now 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.
7¶ Do 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.
12¶ For 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.
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.
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Anointing your Home 2 Corinthians 10:3–5
For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. / The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. / We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Approval 2 Corinthians 10:18
For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
Arguments 2 Corinthians 10:5
We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Armor: Figurative 2 Corinthians 10:4
The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
Bad Thoughts 2 Corinthians 10:3–5
For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. / The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. / We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Battlefield of the Mind 2 Corinthians 10:3–5
For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. / The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. / We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Being Insecure 2 Corinthians 10:12
We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they show their ignorance.
Being Obedient 2 Corinthians 10:5
We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Blessing: Spiritual, from God 2 Corinthians 10:4
The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
Boasting: Spiritual 2 Corinthians 10:12–18
We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they show their ignorance. / We, however, will not boast beyond our limits, but only within the field of influence that God has assigned to us—a field that reaches even to you. / We are not overstepping our bounds, as if we had not come to you. Indeed, we were the first to reach you with the gospel of Christ.
Boredom 2 Corinthians 10:5
We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Captivity: Figurative 2 Corinthians 10:5
We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Christian Minister: Character and Attributes of 2 Corinthians 10:1, 2, 8
Now by the mildness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am humble when face to face with you, but bold when away. / I beg you that when I come I may not need to be as bold as I expect toward those who presume that we live according to the flesh. / For even if I boast somewhat excessively about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed.
Christian Minister: Duties of 2 Corinthians 10:8
For even if I boast somewhat excessively about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed.
Church: Rules of Discipline In, Mosaic and Christian 2 Corinthians 10:1–11
Now by the mildness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am humble when face to face with you, but bold when away. / I beg you that when I come I may not need to be as bold as I expect toward those who presume that we live according to the flesh. / For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh.
Companionship 2 Corinthians 10:12
We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they show their ignorance.
Competition 2 Corinthians 10:12
We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they show their ignorance.
Contempt: False Teachers 2 Corinthians 10:10
For some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but his physical presence is unimpressive, and his speaking is of no account.”
Corinth: The Congregation of Alienation of, from Paul 2 Corinthians 10:1
Now by the mildness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am humble when face to face with you, but bold when away.
Defending Our Faith 2 Corinthians 10:5
We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Deliverance Ministry 2 Corinthians 10:3–5
For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. / The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. / We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Discipline of the Church is for Edification 2 Corinthians 10:8
For even if I boast somewhat excessively about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed.
Edification is the Object of Ministerial Authority 2 Corinthians 10:8
For even if I boast somewhat excessively about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed.
Example: Christ, Our 2 Corinthians 10:1
Now by the mildness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am humble when face to face with you, but bold when away.
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2 Corinthians 10:1-6 Verses 1-6
While others thought meanly, and spake scornfully of the apostle, he had low thoughts, and spake humbly of himself. We should be aware of our own infirmities, and think humbly of ourselves, even when men reproach us. The work of the ministry is a spiritual warfare with spiritual enemies, and for spiritual purposes. Outward force is not the method of the gospel, but strong persuasions, by the power of truth and the meekness of wisdom. Conscience is accountable to God only; and people must be persuaded to God and their duty, not driven by force. Thus the weapons of our warfare are very powerful; the evidence of truth is convincing. What opposition is made against the gospel, by the powers of sin and Satan in the hearts of men! But observe the conquest the word of God gains. The appointed means, however feeble they appear to some, will be mighty through God. And the preaching of the cross, by men of faith and prayer, has always been fatal to idolatry, impiety, and wickedness.
2 Corinthians 10:7-11 Verses 7-11
In outward appearance, Paul was mean and despised in the eyes of some, but this was a false rule to judge by. We must not think that none outward appearance, as if the want of such things proved a man not to be a real Christian, or an able, faithful minister of the lowly Saviour.
2 Corinthians 10:12-18 Verses 12-18
If we would compare ourselves with others who excel us, this would be a good method to keep us humble. The apostle fixes a good rule for his conduct; namely, not to boast of things without his measure, which was the measure God had distributed to him. There is not a more fruitful source of error, than to judge of persons and opinions by our own prejudices. How common is it for persons to judge of their own religious character, by the opinions and maxims of the world around them! But how different is the rule of God's word! And of all flattery, self-flattery is the worst. Therefore, instead of praising ourselves, we should strive to approve ourselves to God. In a word, let us glory in the Lord our salvation, and in all other things only as evidences of his love, or means of promoting his glory. Instead of praising ourselves, or seeking the praise of men, let us desire that honour which cometh from God only.