³ For though we live in the body,^[a] we do not wage war in an unspiritual way,^{[b] 4} since the weapons of our warfare^(A) are not worldly,^[c] but are powerful^(B) through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments

Paul’s Apostolic Authority

10 Now I, Paul, make a personal appeal to you by the gentleness and graciousness of Christ—I who am humble among you in person but bold toward you when absent. ² I beg you that when I am present I will not need to be bold with the confidence by which I plan to challenge certain people who think we are behaving in an unspiritual way.^{[a](A) 3} For though we live in the body,^[b] we do not wage war in an unspiritual way,^{[c] 4} since the weapons of our warfare^(B) are not worldly,^[d] but are powerful^(C) through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments ⁵ and every high-minded thing that is raised up against the knowledge^(D) of God, taking every thought captive to obey Christ. ⁶ And we are ready to punish any disobedience, once your obedience has been confirmed.

⁷ Look at what is obvious.^[e] If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ,^(E) he should remind himself of this: Just as he belongs to Christ, so do we. ⁸ For if I boast some more about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up^(F) and not for tearing you down, I am not ashamed. ⁹ I don’t want to seem as though I am trying to terrify you with my letters. ¹⁰ For it is said, “His letters are weighty and powerful, but his physical presence is weak, and his public speaking is despicable.” ¹¹ Such a person should consider this: What we are in the words of our letters when absent, we will be in actions when present.

¹² For we don’t dare classify or compare ourselves with some who commend^(G) themselves. But in measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves to themselves,^(H) they lack understanding.^{(I) 13} We, however, will not boast beyond measure but according to the measure of the area of ministry that God has assigned^(J) to us, which reaches even to you. ¹⁴ For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we had not reached you, since we have come to you with the gospel of Christ. ¹⁵ We are not bragging beyond measure about other people’s labors. But we have the hope^(K) that as your faith increases, our area of ministry will be greatly enlarged, ¹⁶ so that we may proclaim the good news to the regions beyond you,^(L) not boasting about what has already been done in someone else’s area of ministry.^{(M) 17} So the one who boasts must boast in the Lord.^{(N)[f] 18} For it is not the one commending himself who is approved, but the one the Lord commends.^(O)