Not that we rule over your faith, but are fellow-workmen of your joy: for by faith ye stand.

BUT I prescribed to myself this rule, not to come again to you with sorrow.

but, by the rule of equality, your abundance being a supply, at the present time, for their deficiency; that also their abundance may be a supply for your want, that there may be equality:

So I have thought it necessary to urge these brothers to visit you ahead of me and get your promised love-offering ready beforehand, so as to have it ready as a real love-offering, not as one grasped and grudgingly given.

But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.

Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men's labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,

to announce the glad tidings to that which is beyond you, not to be boasting in another's rule of things made ready to hand.

(What I am now going to say is not inspired by the Lord: I am in the role of a 'fool,' now, on this business of boasting.

I am quite ashamed to say I was not equal to that sort of thing! But let them vaunt as they please, I am equal to them (mind, this is the role of a fool!).