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10 [a](A)I am writing this while I am away, so that when I come I may not have to be severe in virtue of the authority that the Lord has given me to build up and not to tear down.

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Footnotes

  1. 13:10 Authority…to build up and not to tear down: Paul restates the purpose of his letter in language that echoes 2 Cor 10:2, 8, emphasizing the positive purpose of his authority in their regard. This verse forms an inclusion with the topic sentence of the section (2 Cor 12:19), as well as with the opening of this entire portion of the letter (2 Cor 10:1–2).

10 This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh(A) in my use of authority—the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.(B)

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