Paul’s Ministry Defended

10 Now I, Paul, appeal to you myself by the humility and gentleness of Christ, who when I am present in person^[a] am humble among you, but when I^[b] am absent am bold toward you— ² now I ask when I^[c] am present that I will not need to be bold with the confidence with which I propose to show boldness toward some who consider us as behaving according to the flesh. ³ For although we^[d] are living in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh, ⁴ for the weapons of our warfare are not merely human, but powerful to God for the tearing down of fortresses, tearing down arguments ⁵ and all pride that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. ⁶ And we are ready^[e] to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is completed.