I am writing thus to you in absence, so that when I do come I may not have to deal sharply with you; I have the Lord's authority for that, but he gave it to me for building you up, not for demolishing you.
Even supposing I were to boast somewhat freely of my authority (and the Lord gave it to me for building you up, not for demolishing you), I would feel quite justified.
and I pray to God that you may not go wrong — not to prove I am a success, that is not the point, but that you should come right, even if I seemed to be a failure.