Paul’s Authority from the Lord

10:1 Now I, Paul, appeal to you1 personally2 by the meekness and gentleness3 of Christ (I who am meek4 when present among5 you, but am full of courage6 toward you when away!)—10:2 now I ask that when I am present I may not have to be bold with the confidence that (I expect) I will dare to use against some who consider us to be behaving7 according to human standards.8 10:3 For though we live9 as human beings,10 we do not wage war according to human standards,11 10:4 for the weapons of our warfare are not human weapons,12 but are made powerful by God13 for tearing down strongholds.14 We tear down arguments15 10:5 and every arrogant obstacle16 that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to make it obey17 Christ. 10:6 We are also ready to punish every act of disobedience,18 whenever your obedience is complete. 10:7 You are looking at outward appearances.19 If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should reflect on this again: Just as he himself belongs to Christ, so too do we. 10:8 For if I boast somewhat more about our authority that the Lord gave us20 for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of doing so.21 10:9 I do not want to seem as though I am trying to terrify you with my letters, 10:10 because some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but his physical presence is weak22 and his speech is of no account.”23 10:11 Let such a person consider this: What we say24 by letters when we are absent, we also are in actions when we are present.