2 Corinthians 10

Paul Defends His Ministry

1 Alright, this is Paul talking. I am coming at you real humble, like Christ, even though some of you all think I am tough when I write but soft when I show up.

2 I am asking you all not to make me come with that same boldness I use on those who think we are walking in a worldly way. Do not get it twisted.

3 Yeah, we live in the world, but we do not fight our battles like the world does.

4 The weapons we are working with are not regular. They are God-powered to knock down strongholds.

5 We take down arguments and every high thought that tries to go against the knowledge of God. We make every thought bow down to Christ.

6 And once you all are on point, we will be ready to handle any disobedience.

7 Look at what is real right in front of you. If anyone is confident that they are in Christ, they need to remember we are in Christ too, just like them.

8 Even if I go hard about the authority the Lord gave me, it is for building you all up, not tearing you down. I am not ashamed of that.

9 I do not want to scare you with my letters.

10 Some people say, “Paul’s letters are serious and strong, but in person he is weak, and he is not a great speaker.”

11 Those folks better know: what we say in our letters, we will back it up when we are face-to-face.

12 We do not dare compare ourselves with those who are busy comparing themselves to each other. That is foolish.

13 We only brag about what God assigned us, and that includes you all.

14 We are not going beyond our limits, because we actually reached you with the gospel.

15 We are not taking credit for work someone else did. We are hoping that as your faith grows, our work with you all will expand.

16 We want to take the message even further, beyond you all, without stepping on someone else’s territory.

17 If you are going to brag, brag about the Lord.

18 It is not about who approves themselves; it is about who the Lord approves.