2 Corinthians

Paul’s Controversial Defense

It is I, Paul, who, through the humility and kindness of Christ, appeal to you; the Paul who is timid among you and bold when far away from you!

Don’t compel me to act boldly when I arrive, as I am resolved and will dare to oppose those who believe I act out of human motives.

Human is our condition, but not our fight.

Our weapons for this fight are not human, but they have divine power to destroy strongholds—those arguments

and haughty thoughts that oppose the knowledge of God. We force every thought to obey Christ.

So, I am ready to punish any disobedience when you are supposed to show perfect obedience.

See things as they truly are. If someone believes they belong to Christ, let them remember that, just as they are Christ’s, I am too.

Although I may appear overly confident in the authority given to me by the Lord to build you up rather than tear you down, I will not be ashamed to say this.

Don’t think I can only scare you with letters.

Some say, ‘His letters are severe and strong, but as he is, he has no presence and is a poor speaker.’

To such people, I say, ‘Be careful: what my letters say from afar is what I will do when I come.’

The Power of the Apostle

How could I dare to compare myself with some people who boast about their own merits? Fools! They gauge themselves by their own standards and compare themselves only to themselves.

As for me, I will not boast beyond measure because I will not exceed the limits that the God of true measure has set for me: He provided the measuring stick when he made me to stand in your place.

It is not the same when someone ventures beyond his own field, into areas where he has not yet been able to set foot. But I am the one who first came to you with the gospel of Christ.

I am not claiming credit where others have already worked. Instead, we hope that as your faith grows, our ministry among you will also expand without exceeding our bounds.

So, we will share the gospel in places beyond your region without intruding on others’ territory, nor boasting or making ourselves seem important where the work has already been accomplished.

Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.

It is not the one who praises himself that is approved, but the one whom the Lord recommends.