1. Now I, Paul, appeal to you personally by the meekness and gentleness of Christ (I who am meek when present among you, but am full of courage toward you when away!) –
2. now I ask that when I am present I may not have to be bold with the confidence that (I expect) I will dare to use against some who consider us to be behaving according to human standards.
3. For though we live as human beings, we do not wage war according to human standards,
4. for the weapons of our warfare are not human weapons, but are made powerful by God for tearing down strongholds. We tear down arguments
5. and every arrogant obstacle that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to make it obey Christ.
6. We are also ready to punish every act of disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.
7. You are looking at outward appearances. If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should reflect on this again: Just as he himself belongs to Christ, so too do we.
8. For if I boast somewhat more about our authority that the Lord gave us for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of doing so.
9. I do not want to seem as though I am trying to terrify you with my letters,
10. because some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but his physical presence is weak and his speech is of no account.”