I rejoice because in everything I am fully confident in you.

Therefore we are always full of courage, and we know that as long as we are alive here on earth we are absent from the Lord –

Thus we are full of courage and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

now I ask that when I am present I may not have to be bold with the confidence that (I expect) I will dare to use against some who consider us to be behaving according to human standards.

Now I, Paul, appeal to you personally by the meekness and gentleness of Christ (I who am meek when present among you, but am full of courage toward you when away!) –