Back to BooksSimple English

2 Corinthians

Paul defends his apostleship and teaches on the power of God in weakness and the importance of generous giving.

Chapter 10

Back to Chapters

1 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:

*Now I, Paul, ask you gently, like how Christ was gentle, to listen. When I'm with you, I act humble, but when I'm not, I speak more confidently.

2 But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.

*I kindly ask you not to let me be too confident when I'm with people who might see us as only focusing on our physical selves.

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

*Even though we live in physical bodies, we don't fight for worldly things.

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

*Our fighting tools aren't physical, but they are powerful with God's help to knock down big obstacles.

5 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;

*Stop thinking about proud ideas that go against knowing God, and make all your thoughts obey Jesus.

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

*Ready to punish disobedience once you've obeyed fully.

7 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.

*Are you judging by appearances? If someone believes they belong to Christ, they should also realize that we all belong to Christ in the same way.

8 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:

*Even though I can brag a little about the power the Lord has given us to build up, not harm you, I wouldn't feel embarrassed.

9 That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.

*So that you don't think I'm trying to scare you with my messages.

10 For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.

*They claim that his letters are important and strong, but he himself is not very strong and his talking is not respected.

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.

*If someone writes like this, they should understand: When we communicate using letters while not together, we will act the same way in person.

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.

*We don't think we're as important as others who boast about themselves. Instead, they judge themselves and compare themselves to each other, which isn't smart.

13 But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.

*But we won't brag about things that aren't ours, but we'll brag according to the amount God has given us, enough to include you too.

14 For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ:

*We don't go beyond what we can do, like we haven't reached you. We came to you too, to spread the good news about Jesus.

15 Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men’s labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,

*Don't brag about things that aren't yours or based on your own efforts, like other people's hard work. Instead, with growing faith, hope for expansion in which you will generously help us according to our guidelines.

16 To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s line of things made ready to our hand.

*To spread the good news to faraway places and not to brag about someone else's prepared work.

17 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

*But whoever boasts, let them boast about the Lord.

18 For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.

*One isn't approved by boasting, but by the Lord's endorsement.

Back to Chapters

* work in progress, there will be mistakes

Copyright © 2025 - Gema369 All Rights Reserved