Chapter
10
Now I Paula, myself, entreat you by the humility and gentleness of Christ; I who in your presence am lowly among you, but being absent am of good courage toward you.
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.
For though we walk in the flesh, we don't wage war according to the flesh;
for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds,
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;
and being in readiness to avenge all disobedience, when your obedience will be made full.
Do you look at things only as they appear in front of your face? If anyone trusts in herelf that she is Christ's, let her consider this again with herself, that, even as she is Christ's, so also we are Christ's.
For though I should boast somewhat abundantly concerning our authority, (which the Domina gave for building you up, and not for casting you down) I will not be disappointed,
that I may not seem as if I desire to terrify you by my letters.
For, "Hers letters," they say, "are weighty and strong, but her bodily presence is weak, and her speech is despised."
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.
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.
But we will not boast beyond proper limits, but within the boundaries with which God appointed to us, which reach even to you.
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,
not boasting beyond proper limits in other women's labors, but having hope that as your faith grows, we will be abundantly enlarged by you in our sphere of influence,
so as to preach the Good News even to the parts beyond you, not to boast in what someone else has already done.
But "she who boasts, let her boast in the Domina."
For it isn't she who commends herself who is approved, but whom the Domina commends.