The weapons we fight with(A) are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power(B) to demolish strongholds.(C) We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God,(D) and we take captive every thought to make it obedient(E) to Christ. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.(F)

You are judging by appearances.[a](G) If anyone is confident that they belong to Christ,(H) they should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as they do.(I) So even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us(J) for building you up rather than tearing you down,(K) I will not be ashamed of it. I do not want to seem to be trying to frighten you with my letters. 10 For some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive(L) and his speaking amounts to nothing.”(M) 11 Such people should realize that what we are in our letters when we are absent, we will be in our actions when we are present.

12 We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves.(N) When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 10:7 Or Look at the obvious facts

(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

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;

And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

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.

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:

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.

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