Dual Panel1NOW I myself, Paul, beseech you, by the gentleness and consideration of Christ [Himself; I] who [am] lowly enough [so they say] when among you face to face, but bold (fearless and outspoken) to you when [I am] absent from you!
2I entreat you when I do come [to you] that I may not [be driven to such] boldness as I intend to show toward those few who suspect us of acting according to the flesh [on the low level of worldly motives and as if invested with only human powers].
3For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh {and} using mere human weapons.
4For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow {and} destruction of strongholds,
5[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments {and} theories {and} reasonings and every proud {and} lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought {and} purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One),
6Being in readiness to punish every [insubordinate for his] disobedience, when your own submission {and} obedience [as a church] are fully secured {and} complete.
7Look at [this obvious fact] which is before your eyes. If anyone is confident that he is Christ's, let him reflect {and} remind himself that even as he is Christ's, so too are we.
8For even though I boast rather freely about our power {and} authority, which the Lord gave for your upbuilding and not for demolishing you, yet I shall not be put to shame [for exceeding the truth],
9Neither would I seem to be overawing {or} frightening you with my letters;
10For they say, His letters are weighty {and} impressive and forceful {and} telling, but his personality {and} bodily presence are weak, and his speech {and} delivery are utterly contemptible (of no account).
11Let such people realize that what we say by letters when we are absent, [we put] also into deeds when we are present--
12Not that we [have the audacity to] venture to class or [even to] compare ourselves with some who exalt {and} furnish testimonials for themselves! However, when they measure themselves with themselves and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding {and} behave unwisely.
13We, on the other hand, will not boast beyond our legitimate province {and} proper limit, but will keep within the limits [of our commission which] God has allotted us as our measuring line and which reaches {and} includes even you.
14For we are not overstepping the limits of our province {and} stretching beyond our ability to reach, as though we reached not (had no legitimate mission) to you, for we were [the very first] to come even as far as to you with the good news (the Gospel) of Christ.
15We do not boast therefore, beyond our proper limit, over other men's labors, but we have the hope {and} confident expectation that as your faith continues to grow, our field among you may be greatly enlarged, still within the limits of our commission,
16So that [we may even] preach the Gospel in lands [lying] beyond you, without making a boast of work already done in another [man's] sphere of activity [before we came on the scene].
17However, let him who boasts {and} glories boast {and} glory in the Lord.
18For [it is] not [the man] who praises {and} commends himself who is approved {and} accepted, but [it is the person] whom the Lord accredits {and} commends.