1 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who according to outward appearance am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: (Paul is asking the Corinthians to allow him to be humble and gentle towards them; how, if he hears of strife and backbiting among them, he will be bold enough to straighten them out.)
2 But I pray you, that I may not be bold when I am present with the confidence, wherewith I reckon to dare against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. (This is an important lesson for you. You should be bold towards others, when it is deserved. Follow those who teach God's Word, not their own words. God's Word is able to give you strength and boldness to dare to face Satan himself. You know it isn't your power that Satan fears. It is the power of God that is in you that Satan fears.)
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh: (We do not use carnal weapons to fight Satan. We use spiritual weapons to fight the powers and principalities in dark places. Do not fight these demonic powers unless you do so in the name of Jesus Christ. For it is His power that assures the victory.)
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (see Rom. 7:14 and 1 Pet. 2:11), but mighty by God to the destruction of strong holds;) (If you attack Satan with carnal weapons, he will laugh at your futile attempts. Spiritual weapons are capable of tearing down any stronghold Satan tries to build in your life. Use those spiritual weapons boldly in the name of Jesus Christ. Satan will have you in his pocket, if you humble yourself before him.)
5 Casting down thoughts (or reasonings), and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (Boldly cast away those things in your life that exalt themselves before the knowledge of God and those that are disobedient to Christ.)
6 And having in a readiness to avenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. (Do you want to be blessed? Do things according to God's Word. Discipline yourself in His Word. Does the Word say to be meek and gentle? No! The Word says revenge all disobedience. Take names and "Kick Dragon".)
7 Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? if any one trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, so are we also Christ's. (Don't be deceived by outward appearance of those that claim to be of Christ. Look in their heart. If they have Christ within then, it will be very apparent.)
8 For if I should glory somewhat more concerning our authority, which the Lord gave us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed: (Authority is not given so you can run over people. Authority given of God is for edification. It gives them the strength to survive difficult times. Paul would not be ashamed to utilize to correct and lift other up. That is true love.)
9 In order that I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.
10 For his letters, say they, are weighty (see Acts 20:29) and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account. (See Acts 4:11. There was contention in the church even in the early years. Paul was accused of being bold in his letters, but weak in his speech and presence. Paul spoke colloquial Greek. The super preachers in Jerusalem didn't think Paul was a very good preacher. Paul's character could stand up to these accusers on his worst day. If you follow Christ, be prepared for the world to attack you. Armed with God's Word, you can boldly set the world straight.)
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. (They had better not tell Paul he was weak to his face. The authority given to him by God would allow Paul to be just as powerful whether by letter, or face to face.)
12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves among themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, do not understand. (The super preacher had quite a large ego. They were very bold at commending themselves. They were bold for the wrong reasons. Paul would have no part of that. Wisdom is comparing your behavior with what God's Word states your behavior should be. Fools commend themselves and measure themselves by their own behavior.)
13 But we will not boast with reference to things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule (Gr. kanōn. Hence our Eng. "canon") which God has distributed to us, a measure to arrive unto you also. (Measure yourself by God's Word, not man's words. His Word edifies, strengthens, builds and matures us. What man has to say usually doesn't amount to much, and it is often contrary to God's Word. Paul didn't need men on an ego trip to commend him. Paul didn't seek the super preachers approval. Paul's credentials were God given.)
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: (Paul is saying we brought the gospel of Christ to you in the first place. Why are you listening to fools.)
15 Not boasting in things without our measure, that is, of other men's labors; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be magnified in you according to our rule unto abundance, (That little seed planted by Paul was filled with hope that the fruit produced would be magnified many times. Truth will grow when it is Christ Who does the edifying rather than super preachers on an ego trip edifying one another. It is Christ Who set the measure long, long, ago. We don't need to compare ourselves by some man's measure, but by the Lord Jesus Christ's measure.)
16 To preach the gospel to the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand. (Paul didn't need some man to prepare a sermon for him. The gospel was the gospel of Jesus Christ.)
17 But he that glories, let him glory in the Lord. (Quoted from Jer. 9:24. Take the truth you have been given and spread the good news. If you want to boast, then boast in the Lord. Be bold in the Lord.)
18 For not he that commends himself is approved (see Rom. 14:19), but whom the Lord commends. (Stay away from self-glorification. Glorify the Lord. Humble yourself before God. It isn't the approval of men you should seek, but rather the approval of the Lord. No matter what they may say, men can't give you eternal life. The Lord can. If you will do this, He will raise you up as a spiritual warrior fit to serve Him. God's Word will make you salty. Study His Word. You will become able to make a difference in this world of darkness.)