哥林多后书第十章保罗说主耶稣赐给了他传福音和坚固福音的权力,目的是要造就听到福音的人。保罗说他写给哥林多教会的书信不是要威吓大家,而是要建造大家,这是因为有人说保罗的书信写的既沉重又厉害,而见面的时候保罗却显软弱,说的言语也令人鄙视。保罗告诫说这些话的人,他见面的时候会按书信里所写的行事。保罗说他的言语之所以令人鄙视,是因为他不想像那些自我吹嘘的人一样,那些人并不理解福音。保罗说他传福音作演讲不说超界的话,而只说神所委命的话,就是这样的言语却被哥林多教会的有些人鄙视。
林后10:8 主赐给我们权柄、是要造就你们、并不是要败坏你们、我就是为这权柄稍微夸口、也不至于惭愧.
For though I should boast somewhat abundantly concerning our authority, (which the Lord gave for building you up, and not for casting you down) I will not be disappointed,
林后10:9 我说这话免得你们以为我写信是要威吓你们。
that I may not seem as if I desire to terrify you by my letters.
林后10:10 因为有人说、他的信、又沉重、又利害.及至见面、却是气貌不扬、言语粗俗的。
For, "His letters," they say, "are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech is despised."
林后10:11 这等人当想、我们不在那里的时候、信上的言语如何、见面的时候、行事也必如何。
Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such are we also in deed when we are present.
林后10:12 因为我们不敢将自己和那自荐的人同列相比.他们用自己度量自己、用自己比较自己、乃是不通达的。
For we are not bold to number or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves. But they themselves, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are without understanding.
林后10:13 我们不愿意分外夸口、只要照 神所量给我们的界限、构到你们那里。
But we will not boast beyond proper limits, but within the boundaries with which God appointed to us, which reach even to you.
林后10:18 因为蒙悦纳的、不是自己称许的、乃是主所称许的。
For it isn't he who commends himself who is approved, but whom the Lord commends.