3. It is true that we live in the world, but we do not fight from worldly motives.
4. The weapons we use in our fight are not the world's weapons but God's powerful weapons, which we use to destroy strongholds. We destroy false arguments;
5. we pull down every proud obstacle that is raised against the knowledge of God; we take every thought captive and make it obey Christ.
6. And after you have proved your complete loyalty, we will be ready to punish any act of disloyalty.
7. You are looking at the outward appearance of things. Is there someone there who reckons himself or herself to belong to Christ? Well, let them think again about themselves, because we belong to Christ just as much as they do.
8. For I am not ashamed, even if I have boasted somewhat too much about the authority that the Lord has given us — authority to build you up, not to tear you down.
9. I do not want it to appear that I am trying to frighten you with my letters.
10. Someone will say, “Paul's letters are severe and strong, but when he is with us in person, he is weak, and his words are nothing!”
11. Such a person must understand that there is no difference between what we write in our letters when we are away and what we will do when we are there with you.
12. Of course we would not dare to classify ourselves or compare ourselves with those who rate themselves so highly. How stupid they are! They make up their own standards to measure themselves by, and they judge themselves by their own standards!
13. As for us, however, our boasting will not go beyond certain limits; it will stay within the limits of the work which God has set for us, and this includes our work among you.
14. And since you are within those limits, we were not going beyond them when we came to you, bringing the Good News about Christ.