To my shame I admit that we were too weak for that! Whatever anyone else dares to boast about—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast about.
For some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing.”
I hope you will put up with me in a little foolishness. Yes, please put up with me!
In this self-confident boasting I am not talking as the Lord would, but as a fool.
This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority—the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.
through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors;