but that I may not seem as if I would strike a terror in you by letters:

Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

hunted down and persecuted, but not deserted [to stand alone]; struck down, but never destroyed;

You put up with it, though they make slaves of you, live on you, seize your property, lord it over you, even strike you in the face, in the way of degradation!