2 Corinthians 10

“Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being…” Naming Christ and Paul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against…” The line’s distinctive content terms include bold, think, beseech. Its relationship to verses 1 and 3 shows what work it does in this passage.

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into…” Naming Casting and Christ keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.” The line’s distinctive content terms include disobedience, fulfilled, obedience. Its relationship to verses 5 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ’s, let him of himself…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.” The line’s distinctive content terms include letters, seem, terrify. Its relationship to verses 8 and 10 shows what work it does in this passage.

“For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“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…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men’s labours; but having hope, when your faith is…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s line of things made ready to our…” The line’s distinctive content terms include boast, gospel, hand. Its relationship to verses 15 and 17 shows what work it does in this passage.

“But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” The verse names Lord rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.