If anyone has caused pain, he has caused pain not so much to me but to some degree—not to exaggerate—to all of you.

To some we are an aroma of death leading to death, but to others, an aroma of life leading to life. And who is competent for this?

Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some, letters of recommendation to you or from you?

For if I boast some more about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for tearing you down, I am not ashamed.

For we don’t dare classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. But in measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves to themselves, they lack understanding.