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! ² 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. ³ Of course, we are living in the world,^[b] but we do not wage war in a world-like^[c] way. ⁴ 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 ⁵ and every proud obstacle that is raised against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive in order to obey the Messiah.^{[e] 6} Once your obedience is complete, we will be ready to reprimand every type of disobedience.