1 I, Paul, am appealing to you through the meekness and gentleness of Christ {Christos, Perfect Gentle Model}—I who, face to face, am lowly {tapeinos: outwardly unimpressive} among you, yet when absent I speak boldly toward you.
2 But I beg you that I may not, when present, be bold with the confidence {pepoithesis: firm assurance} with which I reckon to dare against some who consider us as walking according to the flesh {sarx: human limitations}.
3 For although we walk in the flesh, we do not carry on our campaign {strateuomai: spiritual conflict} by the standards {sarx: human nature} of the flesh.
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but powerful in God {Theos, Strength in Warfare} for the pulling down of strongholds {ochuromaton: entrenched barriers} and demolishing arguments.
5 And every high thing that is raised against the knowledge of God {Theos, Supreme Revealed One}, and we are taking every thought captive into the obedience of Christ {Christos, Perfectly Obedient Pattern}.
6 And we stand ready {hetoimos: prepared stance} to punish every disobedience, once your obedience {hupakoe: responsive submission} is fulfilled.
7 Are you looking at things according to outward appearance {prosopon: external focus}? If anyone is confident in himself that he is of Christ {Christos, Shared Lord}, let him consider this again within himself: that just as he is of Christ, so also are we.
8 Even if I were to boast a bit more about our authority, which the Lord {Kyrios, Giver of Authority} gave for building up {oikodomē: spiritual strengthening} and not for tearing you down, I would not be ashamed.
9 In order that I might not seem {doxo: appear outwardly} as if I am frightening you by my letters {epistolon: written messages}.
10 For they say, “His letters {epistolai: written messages} carry weight and power, but when he is present his bodily presence {parousia: in-person appearance} seems weak, and his speech is contemptible.”
11 Let such a person consider {logizomai: carefully reckon} this, that just as we are in word through letters when absent, so also we will be in deed {ergon: concrete conduct} when present.
12 For we do not dare to classify {enkrinai: assign to group} or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but they, measuring themselves among themselves and comparing themselves with themselves, do not understand {syniemi: lack real insight}.
13 But we will not boast in things that are beyond measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God {Theos, Divine Apportioner} allotted to us, a measure to reach even as far as you {hymon: Corinthian believers}.
14 For we are not overextending {hyperekteino: stretch beyond limits} ourselves as though we were not reaching to you, for we did come as far as you in the gospel of Christ {Christos, Proclaimed Messiah}.
15 Not boasting beyond measure {ametra: without limit} in the labors of others, but having hope that, as your faith is increased, we may be greatly enlarged among you according to our rule, into abundance {perisseia: overflowing blessing}.
16 To proclaim the good news in the regions beyond you, not to boast in another's sphere {kanon: assigned ministry area} with respect to things prepared {hetoima: prior labors}.
17 But let the one who boasts {kauchomenos: expressing praise or pride} boast in the Lord {Kyrios, Rightful Source of Glory}.
18 For approval does not lie with one who commends himself, but with the one whom the Lord {Kyrios, Righteous Evaluator} commends {synistemi: recognizes as worthy}.