1. I, Paul, am begging you with the gentleness and the kindness of Christ. Some people say that I am easy on you when I am with you and bold when I am away.
2. They think we live in a worldly way, and I plan to be very bold with them when I come. I beg you that when I come I will not need to use that same boldness with you.
3. We do live in the world, but we do not fight in the same way the world fights.
4. We fight with weapons that are different from those the world uses. Our weapons have power from God that can destroy the enemy’s strong places. We destroy people’s arguments
5. and every proud thing that raises itself against the knowledge of God. We capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ.
6. We are ready to punish anyone there who does not obey, but first we want you to obey fully.
7. You must look at the facts before you. If you feel sure that you belong to Christ, you must remember that we belong to Christ just as you do.
8. It is true that we brag freely about the authority the Lord gave us. But this authority is to build you up, not to tear you down. So I will not be ashamed.