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Paul’s Authority to Speak Forcefully

10 Now I myself, Paul, plead with you with the gentleness and kindness of the Messiah[a]—I who am humble when I am face to face with you but forceful toward you when I am away! I beg you that when I come I will not need to be courageous by daring to oppose some people who think that we are living according to the flesh. Of course, we are living in the world,[b] but we do not wage war in a world-like[c] way. For the weapons of our warfare are not those of the world.[d] Instead, they have the power of God to demolish fortresses. We tear down arguments and every proud obstacle that is raised against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive in order to obey the Messiah.[e] Once your obedience is complete, we will be ready to reprimand every type of disobedience.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 10:1 Or Christ
  2. 2 Corinthians 10:3 Lit. flesh
  3. 2 Corinthians 10:3 Lit. fleshly
  4. 2 Corinthians 10:4 Lit. flesh
  5. 2 Corinthians 10:5 Or Christ

Paul’s Defense of His Ministry

10 By the humility and gentleness(A) of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul,(B) who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away! I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold(C) as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world.(D) For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.(E) The weapons we fight with(F) are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power(G) to demolish strongholds.(H) We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God,(I) and we take captive every thought to make it obedient(J) to Christ. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.(K)

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