2 Corinthians 10: Boast in the Lord

Paul appeals to the Corinthians by the meekness and gentleness of Christ. Some said he was bold in his letters but weak in person. Paul answers that, though believers live in the world, they do not fight with worldly weapons. Their weapons have divine power to tear down strongholds and to take every thought captive to obey Christ. His authority was given by the Lord for building them up, not tearing them down. Paul refuses to compare himself with those who measure themselves by themselves. He will boast only within the limits God assigned, and he hopes to preach the Good News in regions beyond them. Whoever boasts should boast in the Lord.

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Read 2 Corinthians 10

World English Bible · 18 verses

¹ Now I Paul, myself, entreat you by the humility and gentleness of Christ, I who in your presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
² Yes, I beg you that I may not, when present, show courage with the confidence with which I intend to be bold against some, who consider us to be walking according to the flesh.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³ For though we walk in the flesh, we don’t wage war according to the flesh;This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴ for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵ throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶ and being in readiness to avenge all disobedience when your obedience is made full.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁷ Do you look at things only as they appear in front of your face? If anyone trusts in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again with himself, that even as he is Christ’s, so we also are Christ’s.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁸ For even if I boast somewhat abundantly concerning our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for casting you down, I will not be ashamed,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁹ that I may not seem as if I desire to terrify you by my letters.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁰ For, “His letters”, they say, “are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech is despised.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹¹ 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.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹² 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.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹³ But we will not boast beyond proper limits, but within the boundaries with which God appointed to us, which reach even to you.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁴ For we don’t stretch ourselves too much, as though we didn’t reach to you. For we came even as far as to you with the Good News of Christ,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁵ not boasting beyond proper limits in other men’s labors, but having hope that as your faith grows, we will be abundantly enlarged by you in our sphere of influence,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁶ so as to preach the Good News even to the parts beyond you, not to boast in what someone else has already done.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁷ But “he who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁸ For it isn’t he who commends himself who is approved, but whom the Lord commends.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org

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2 Corinthians 10 · Preschool

Thumbs Up from God

Name Date

Color Paul and the smiling friends. God is the one who says well done!

Can you find these in the picture? Circle each one!

Bible Verse

“For it isn’t he who commends himself who is approved, but whom the Lord commends.”

2 Corinthians 10:18 (WEB)

Prayer

Thank You, God, for making me!

Take It Home

Read the verse aloud. Say: Some people like to brag about themselves. But the best thing is when God is pleased with us. We can tell others how great God is!

Open Grade 4 on its own page

2 Corinthians 10 · Grade 4

Taking Thoughts Captive

Name Date

Read and Think

Paul appeals to the Corinthians by the meekness and gentleness of Christ. Some critics claimed he was bold when away but timid in person. He hopes he will not need to be bold against those who think he lives by worldly standards.

Paul explains that although believers live in the world, they do not wage war as the world does. The weapons they fight with have God's power to demolish strongholds, which are proud arguments that stand against knowing God. They take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ. Paul's authority from the Lord is for building up, not tearing down.

Paul will not compare himself with those who commend themselves. Measuring themselves by themselves, they show they lack wisdom. Paul boasts only within the area God assigned him, which included Corinth. He hopes that as their faith grows, he can preach the Good News in regions beyond them. Whoever boasts should boast in the Lord, for it is not the one who praises himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

Show What You Know

By what does Paul appeal to the Corinthians?
What are the strongholds Paul describes?
What is Paul's authority for?
Who is approved?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

boastbeyondboldGod

Some critics claimed he was when away but timid in person.
Paul boasts only within the area assigned him, which included Corinth.
He hopes that as their faith grows, he can preach the Good News in regions them.
Whoever boasts should in the Lord, for it is not the one who praises himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

Think About It

Paul says to take every thought captive to obey Christ. What thoughts might you need to bring to Jesus and replace with truth?
Paul warns against comparing ourselves with others. How does comparison hurt people, and how does seeking God's approval set them free?

Memory Verse

“For it isn’t he who commends himself who is approved, but whom the Lord commends.”

2 Corinthians 10:18 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for being pleased with me. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

What thoughts do you need to bring to Jesus?
How does seeking God's approval free us?

Open Grade 5 on its own page

2 Corinthians 10 · Grade 5

Weapons Not of the Flesh

Name Date

Read and Think

The final section of the letter, chapters 10 to 13, takes on a sharper tone as Paul confronts opponents in Corinth. He begins not with force but with the meekness and gentleness of Christ. His critics said he was humble in person but bold in letters, and they accused him of walking according to the flesh, by mere human standards.

Paul responds with a military image. Though believers walk in the flesh, they do not wage war according to the flesh. Their weapons are not worldly but divinely powerful for tearing down strongholds. These strongholds are arguments and every lofty thing raised against the knowledge of God. Believers take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. Paul's authority, given by the Lord, is meant for building up the church, not destroying it, and his actions in person will match his letters.

Paul refuses to classify or compare himself with self-commending rivals. Measuring themselves by themselves, they lack understanding. Paul keeps within the field God assigned, which reached as far as Corinth, and he does not boast in other people's labors. He hopes their growing faith will enable him to go further, preaching the Good News in regions beyond. He closes with Jeremiah 9:24, the one who boasts should boast in the Lord, adding that approval comes not from self-commendation but from the Lord's commendation.

Show What You Know

How does the tone change in chapters 10 to 13?
What are the strongholds Paul tears down?
Why does Paul refuse to compare himself with rivals?
What Old Testament verse does Paul use about boasting?

Crossword

Across

For we don’t stretch ____ too much
For it isn’t he who ____ himself who is approved

Down

But being absent am ____ toward you
But we will not ____ beyond proper limits
Not boasting ____ proper limits in other men’s labors

Think About It

Paul's spiritual weapons are used to bring thoughts into obedience to Christ. What practices help a believer test ideas against the truth of God?
Approval comes from the Lord's commendation, not self-promotion. How might this truth shape the way you think about success and recognition?

Memory Verse

“For it isn’t he who commends himself who is approved, but whom the Lord commends.”

2 Corinthians 10:18 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for being pleased with me. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

How can prayer and Scripture help you fight wrong thinking?
How does God's approval shape success?
What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?

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2 Corinthians 10: Boast in the Lord

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Worksheets

Thumbs Up from God

Prayer

Take It Home

Boast in God

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Mini Maze

Draw It

Prayer

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Boast in the Lord

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Prayer

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The Best Kind of Bragging

Read the Story

Show What You Know

Word Search

Prayer

Take It Home

Every Thought to Christ

Read the Story

Answer the Questions

Boast in the Lord

Word Search

Prayer

Take It Home

Taking Thoughts Captive

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Word Bank Fill-In

Think About It

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Prayer

Take It Home

Weapons Not of the Flesh

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Crossword

Think About It

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Prayer

Take It Home

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