2 Corinthians 10:1-11
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
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)— 2 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) 3 Indeed, we live as humans[b] but do not wage war according to human standards,[c] 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not merely human,[d] but they have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments(C) 5 and every proud obstacle raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ.(D) 6 We are ready to punish every disobedience when your obedience is complete.(E)
7 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) 8 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) 9 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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