1. Now I Paul myself beseech you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold towards you:
2. But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, with which I think to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
3. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh:
4. (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5. Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
6. And having in a readiness to avenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
7. Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trusteth to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.
8. For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:
9. That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.
10. For his letters (say they) are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.
11. Let such one think this, that such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present.