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:
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But 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.
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(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
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Casting 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;
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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.
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For 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:
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For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.
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Let 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.
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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.
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But 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.
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For 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:
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Not 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,
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To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand.
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Chapter Study & Analysis
Overview
2 Corinthians 10 sees Paul defending his apostolic authority against those who judged him by outward appearances. He explains that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but spiritual, capable of pulling down strongholds and thoughts against God.
CONTEMPORARY APPLICATIONS
1. Spiritual Warfare: Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but involves "pulling down strong holds" (v. 4). We must use prayer, truth, and the Word rather than worldly manipulation to fight spiritual battles.2. Captive Thoughts: We are called to bring "every thought to the obedience of Christ" (v. 5). Mental discipline and filtering our ideas through Scripture are essential for spiritual victory.
3. Proper Commendation: It is not the one who commends himself that is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends (v. 18). We should seek God’s approval over human applause or self-promotion.
Practical Lessons
FORMAL PRAYER
Almighty God, whose weapons are mighty to the pulling down of strongholds: help us to cast down every high thing that exalteth itself against Thy knowledge. Bring our every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. Amen.