Paul’s Defense

10 Now I myself, Paul, appeal to you by the humility and gentleness of Christ—I, who am “gentle” when I am in your presence, but “bold” toward you when I am away. ² I pray that, when I arrive there, I may not have to be bold with the confidence that I expect to use in daring to confront some who think that we walk in the way the sinful flesh does. ³ For even though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage war in the way the sinful flesh does. ⁴ Certainly, the weapons of our warfare are not those of the flesh, but weapons made powerful by God for tearing down strongholds. We tear down thoughts ⁵ such as all arrogance that rises up against the knowledge of God, and we make every thought captive so that it is obedient to Christ. ⁶ And we are ready to punish every disobedience when your obedience is fully restored.