You are lookingat things as they are outwardly.Ifanyoneis confidentin himselfthat he is Christ's,let him considerthisagainwithinhimself,that justas he is Christ's,soalsoare we.
"But they doalltheir deedsto be noticedby men;for they broadentheir phylacteriesand lengthenthe tassels[of their garments].
And He saidto them, "You are thosewho justifyyourselvesin the sightof men,but Godknowsyour hearts;for that which is highly esteemedamongmenis detestablein the sightof God.
"Do not judgeaccordingto appearance,but judgewith righteousjudgment."
NowI meanthis,that each oneof you is saying,"I amof Paul,"and "I of Apollos,"and "I of Cephas,"and "I of Christ."
Ifanyonethinkshe is a prophetorspiritual,let him recognizethat the things whichI writeto you are the Lord'scommandment.
But eachin his ownorder:Christthe first fruits,afterthat thosewhoare Christ'sat His coming,
and you belong to Christ;and Christbelongs to God.
AmI not free?AmI not an apostle?Have I not seenJesusour Lord?Are you not my workin the Lord?
NowI, Paul,myselfurgeyou by the meeknessand gentlenessof Christ--I whoam meekwhen face to facewith you, but boldtowardyou when absent!
Sincemanyboastaccordingto the flesh,I will boastalso.
Are they servantsof Christ?--I speakas if insane--I more so;in far morelabors,in far moreimprisonments,beatentimes without number,oftenin danger of death.
For ifone comesand preachesanotherJesuswhomwe have not preached,oryou receivea differentspiritwhichyou have not received,ora differentgospelwhichyou have not accepted,you bear[this] beautifully.
I have becomefoolish;you yourselvescompelledme. ActuallyI shouldhave been commendedby you, for in norespectwas I inferiorto the most eminentapostles,eventhoughI ama nobody.
sinceyou are seekingfor proofof the Christwho speaksin me, and whois not weaktowardyou, but mightyin you.
We are not againcommendingourselvesto you but [are] givingyou an occasionto be proudof us, sothat you will have[an answer] for thosewho take pridein appearanceand not in heart.
And ifyou belong to Christ,thenyou are Abraham'sdescendants,heirsaccordingto promise.
We are from God;he who knowsGodlistensto us; he whois not from Goddoes not listento us. By thiswe knowthe spiritof truthand the spiritof error.
But the LORDsaidto Samuel,"Do not lookat his appearanceor at the heightof his stature,becauseI have rejectedhim; for God[sees] not as mansees,for manlooksat the outwardappearance,but the LORDlooksat the heart."
