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:
2 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.
3 For 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;)
5 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;
6 And 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.
8 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:
9 That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.
10 For [his] letters, say they, [are] weighty and powerful; but [his] bodily presence [is] weak, and [his] speech contemptible.
11 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.
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.
13 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.
14 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:
15 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,
16 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.
17 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
18 For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord 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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