1 Paul defends his ministry
1 Now Rom. 12:1I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, ch. 12:5who [a]in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:
2 But I beseech you, 1 Cor. 4:21;ch. 13:2,10that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I [b]think to be bold against some, which [c]think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4 (Eph. 6:13;1 Thes. 5:8For the weapons 1 Tim. 1:18;2 Tim. 2:3of our warfare are not carnal, but Acts 7:22;1 Cor. 2:5mighty [d]through God Jer. 1:10to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5 1 Cor. 1:19Casting down [e]imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
6 ch. 13:2,10And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when ch. 7:15your obedience is fulfilled.
7 John 7:24Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? 1 Cor. 14:37;1 John 4:6If 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 1 Cor. 3:23;ch. 11:23we Christ's.
8 For though I should boast somewhat more ch. 13:10of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, ch. 7:14I should not be ashamed:
9 That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.
10 For his letters, [f]say they, are weighty and powerful; but 1 Cor. 2:3,4;Gal. 4:13his bodily presence is weak, and his 1 Cor. 1:17speech contemptible.
11 Let such a 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 ch. 5:12For 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 amongst themselves, [g]are not wise.
13 ver. 15But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the [h]rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.
14 For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: 1 Cor. 3:5for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ:
15 Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, Rom. 15:20of other men's labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be [i]enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,
16 To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's [j]line of things made ready to our hand.
17 Is. 65:16;Jer. 9:24;1 Cor. 1:31But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
18 For Prov. 27:2not he that commendeth himself is approved, but Rom. 2:29;1 Cor. 4:5whom the Lord commendeth.
19 Paul's fear of false teachers
