For our present light affliction works out for us an eternal fullness of glory, excelling all excellence, ls while we look not at the things that are seen, but at the things that are not seen: for the things seen are temporal; but the things not seen are eternal.

Therefore, we are always confident, especially since we know that, while living in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

Let such a one conclude thus that such as we are in word, by letters, while absent, such also will we be in deed, when present.

For this reason, I write these things, while absent, that I may not, when present, use severity, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for edification, and not for destruction.