for the weapons of our warfare are not human weapons, but are made powerful by God for tearing down strongholds. We tear down arguments

For if I boast somewhat more about our authority that the Lord gave us for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of doing so.

Because of this I am writing these things while absent, so that when I arrive I may not have to deal harshly with you by using my authority – the Lord gave it to me for building up, not for tearing down!

For we are a sweet aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing –

But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing,

He delivered us from so great a risk of death, and he will deliver us. We have set our hope on him that he will deliver us yet again,

Three times I was beaten with a rod. Once I received a stoning. Three times I suffered shipwreck. A night and a day I spent adrift in the open sea.