10 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:

But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? if any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.

For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:

That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.

10 For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.

11 Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present.

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Paul Defends His Ministry

10 I myself, Paul, appeal to you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you but bold toward you when I am away!(A) I ask that when I am present I need not show boldness by daring to oppose those who think we are acting according to human standards.[a](B) Indeed, we live as humans[b] but do not wage war according to human standards,[c] for the weapons of our warfare are not merely human,[d] but they have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments(C) and every proud obstacle raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ.(D) We are ready to punish every disobedience when your obedience is complete.(E)

Look[e] at what is before your eyes. If you are confident that you belong to Christ, remind yourself of this, that just as you belong to Christ, so also do we.(F) Now, even if I boast a little too much of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of it.(G) I do not want to seem as though I am trying to frighten you with my letters. 10 For someone says,[f] “His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak and his speech contemptible.”(H) 11 Let such a person understand that what we say by letter when absent we will also do when present.

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Footnotes

  1. 10.2 Gk according to the flesh
  2. 10.3 Gk in the flesh
  3. 10.3 Gk according to the flesh
  4. 10.4 Gk fleshly
  5. 10.7 Or You look
  6. 10.10 Other ancient authorities read they say