Getting Competitive About Who Did the Most for the Lord |
2 Corinthians 10:1-18 Paul's 2nd Epistle to the Corinthians [in Smaller Chunks] |
Now, I, Paul, [urge] you myself, who [when here, is] base, a.k.a. lowly] among you, but being absent, [I] am bold toward you: [through] the meekness, [a.k.a. humbleness,] & gentleness of Christ. |
But I [urge] you, [so] that I [won't] be bold when I'm [there] with that confidence, [with which] I [consider] some to be bold, [who] think of us, as if we walked, [a.k.a. followed,] according to the [worldly] flesh. |
For [although] we walk in the flesh [as humans,] we don't war, [a.k.a. battle, according to,] the [worldly] flesh. (For the weapons of our warfare aren't carnal, [a.k.a. related to worldly desires.] |
But [we are] mighty through God, [for] pulling down [the defenses of worldly desires that have] strongholds [within us, such as:] casting down [evil plots;] & [casting down] every high thing [of power] that [exalts] itself against the knowledge of God, [Who] [brings] [those held] [captive] [by worldly] [thoughts,] to obedience [through] Christ. [Luke 14:11 For [whoever exalts] himself, shall be abased, [a.k.a. humbled.] And he, [who humbles] himself, shall be exalted.] |
And having a readiness, [a.k.a. willingness,] to [punish] all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled, do you look on things, [according] [to their] outward appearance? |
If any man [trusts within] himself, that he is Christ's [follower,] let him think [about] this again [within] himself, [so] that, [like] he is Christ's [follower,] even we are [also] Christ's. |
For I should boast somewhat more [about] our authority though, which the Lord [has] given us for edification, [a.k.a. education,] & not for your destruction, I shouldn't be ashamed [of it.] [So] that, I [wouldn't] seem as if, [I'm terrifying] you by [my] letters. |
For they say, [Paul's] letters are weighty, [a.k.a. heavy,] & powerful. But [Paul's] bodily presence is weak, & his speech [is] contemptible, [a.k.a. detestable.] Let [someone] such [as] this, think that [since] we are in word, [a.k.a. communicate,] by letters when we are absent, [a.k.a. away from you,] [that our] [deeds] will also be [like our words] when we are present, [a.k.a. with you.] |
For we dare not make ourselves [similar to the large] number [of some,] or compare ourselves with some, [who] commend, [a.k.a. praise,] themselves. But they [measure] themselves [against] themselves, & [compare] themselves, among themselves, [who] aren't wise. |
But we won't boast of things, [beyond] our measure, but according to the [measurement] of the [ruler,] which God [has] distributed to us, a [measurement] that [includes] even you. [Proverbs 27:1-2 [Don't] boast yourself [about] tomorrow; for you [don't know] what a day may [produce.] Let another man praise you, & not your own mouth; a stranger [praise you,] & not your own lips.] |
For we [don't] stretch, [a.k.a. exaggerate,] ourselves beyond our measure as though we [hadn't caught] up to you. For we [have] come as far as you, in also preaching the Gospel of Christ. |
Not boasting [about] things [beyond] our measure, that is, [we don't include,] other men's [labors, a.k.a. work.] [Romans 15:18-20 For I won't dare speak of any of those things [that] Christ [hasn't performed through] me, to make the Gentiles obedient, [in] word & deed, through mighty signs & wonders, [a.k.a. miracles, through] the [Holy] Spirit of God. So that from Jerusalem, & [around] to Illyricum, I have fully preached the Gospel of Christ. [Even] so, I strived to preach the Gospel where Christ wasn't [already] [known,] lest I should build upon another man's foundation.] |
But [we] [have] hope [that] when your faith [has] increased, according to our [ruler,] we shall [become] abundantly enlarged by you to preach the Gospel [about Jesus Christ,] in the regions beyond you, & not to boast in [what] things another man's [accomplished, &] made ready to [put into] our [hands.] |
But he, [who boasts,] let him [boast] in the Lord. [Psalm 50:23 [Whoever offers] praise, glorifies Me, & to him, [who] [orders, a.k.a. puts in order,] his conversation aright, [a.k.a. correctly,] I [will] [declare] [to him] the Salvation of God.] |
For he isn't approved, [who commends, a.k.a. praises,] himself, but whom the Lord [commends.] [John 5:44 How can you believe [those who] receive honor [from] one another, & [don't] seek the honor that only [comes] from God?] |