2Corinthians 10:7-12 Do you 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 has 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. For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. 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. 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.
‘Do you look on things after the outward appearance?’ Regardless of outward appearance, let my (Paul) enemies know that if they are Christ’s, even so, are we.
‘Ashamed’ [Greek: aischuno] Paul was not ashamed to boast (as a testimony to honour God) a little of the power that God has given him and he promised them that when he came he will prove to them that he was just as powerful as he stated in his letters (10:8-11).
‘For edification, and not for your destruction’ Paul wrote to them to put them on their guard as he was edifying them according to Christ’s gospel and to lead them to put away their sins so that their disobedience did not lead to their destruction.
‘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.’ He states that he could have boasted a little of his authority in God, but one thing that he will not do and that was to join those who brag on themselves, measuring themselves among themselves.
Living the Word 