Hmmmm....that's a good question. I went to the scriptures and turned to the passage below. I think this passage speaks to this issue and I stand corrected:
2Cr 10:1 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence [am] base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:
2Cr 10:2 But I beseech [you], that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
2Cr 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
2Cr 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
2Cr 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
2Cr 10:6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
2Cr 10:7 Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he [is] Christ's, even so [are] we Christ's.
2Cr 10:8 For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:
2Cr 10:9 That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.
2Cr 10:10 For [his] letters, say they, [are] weighty and powerful; but [his] bodily presence [is] weak, and [his] speech contemptible.
2Cr 10:11 Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such [will we be] also in deed when we are present.
2Cr 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
2Cr 10:13 But we will not boast of things without [our] measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.
2Cr 10:14 For we stretch not ourselves beyond [our measure], as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in [preaching] the gospel of Christ:
2Cr 10:15 Not boasting of things without [our] measure, [that is], of other men's labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,
2Cr 10:16 To preach the gospel in the [regions] beyond you, [and] not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand.
2Cr 10:17 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
2Cr 10:18 For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.
While Paul was away from believers, he states that he writes very bold. And, since we are commanded to imitate Paul even as Paul imitates Christ, can we expect to do differently? It appears that we should be very zealous in our writings. However, at our next Religious Forum get-together we should exhibit a little more restraint. ;O)