2 Corinthians 10:2 kjv
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.
2 Corinthians 10:2 nkjv
But I beg you that when I am present I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
2 Corinthians 10:2 niv
I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world.
2 Corinthians 10:2 esv
I beg of you that when I am present I may not have to show boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh.
2 Corinthians 10:2 nlt
Well, I am begging you now so that when I come I won't have to be bold with those who think we act from human motives.
2 Corinthians 10 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Cor 10:1 | Now I, Paul myself, plead with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ--I who am meek indeed when face to face with you, but bold toward you when away. | Implies contrast |
| Gal 1:1 | Paul an apostle--not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead-- | Apostolic authority |
| 1 Cor 4:21 | What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with the spirit of love and gentleness? | Gentle vs firm approach |
| Eph 4:2 | with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, | Qualities of Christ |
| Phil 2:3 | Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. | Humility and meekness |
| Matt 11:29 | Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. | Christ's character |
| Heb 13:17 | Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be fatal to you. | Submission to leaders |
| 2 Cor 10:3 | For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. | Spiritual warfare basis |
| 2 Cor 10:4 | For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds. | Divine power |
| 2 Cor 10:5 | We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, | Offensive spiritual warfare |
| 2 Cor 10:6 | being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete. | Ready to act |
| 1 Cor 5:3 | For though absent in body, I am present in spirit, and as if I were present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did this. | Dealing with sin |
| Acts 20:23 | except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. | Dependence on Holy Spirit |
| Rom 8:4 | so that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. | Walking by the Spirit |
| Ps 7:6 | Arise, O LORD, in your anger; lift yourself up against the rage of my enemies; awake for me; you have appointed a judgment. | Divine judgment |
| 2 Thess 3:14 | If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, have nothing to do with him, that he may be put to shame. | Discipline in church |
| Prov 26:4 | Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. | Wisdom in responding |
| Prov 26:5 | Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes. | Countering folly |
| 1 Pet 3:15 | but sanctify the Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, | Defense with gentleness |
| John 8:15 | You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. | Christ's judgment |
| 2 Cor 1:23 | But I call God to witness against my soul that it was in sparing you that I did not come to Corinth. | Paul's integrity |
| Acts 18:18 | Now Paul, after this, tarried there yet a good while; then he said farewell to the brethren and sailed to Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. | Paul's ministry movements |
| 2 Cor 13:2 | I have often told you, and I repeat it now, as when I was present the second time, so now when I am absent, I write to those who have sinned beforehand and to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare. | Previous warning |
| 2 Cor 13:10 | I write these things with the hope that I need not come in person and with severe sternness that comes from the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down. | Building up not tearing down |
2 Corinthians 10 verses
2 Corinthians 10 2 Meaning
Paul appeals to the Corinthians that he will deal firmly with those who wrongly accuse him, not by his own strength but by Christ's power acting through him. This gentleness and meekness, evident when he is with them in person, will be replaced with boldness against those who falsely accuse and challenge his apostolic authority.
2 Corinthians 10 2 Context
Second Corinthians chapter 10 is a pivotal section where Paul directly addresses the accusations and criticisms leveled against him by opponents within the Corinthian church. These "super-apostles" questioned his authority and possibly his physical presence and demeanor. This particular verse serves as a direct response to their criticisms, setting the stage for Paul's defense of his ministry and authority, emphasizing that while he presents himself as gentle in person, he possesses spiritual authority to deal with defiance. The chapter as a whole deals with spiritual warfare, the source of his authority, and the contrasting approaches of his critics. Historically, the Corinthian church had a complex relationship with Paul, marked by divisions and challenges to his apostleship, making this chapter a crucial element in his pastoral care and defense.
2 Corinthians 10 2 Word Analysis
- εἰμί (eimi): "I am". This asserts his identity and present state.
- δὲ (de): "but". This introduces a contrast.
- πατρὶ (patri): "present". This refers to his physical presence.
- πρὸς (pros): "toward". This indicates direction or relation.
- ὑμᾶς (hymas): "you" (plural). Refers to the Corinthians.
- τολμῶ (tolmō): "dare" or "am bold". This is the crucial word indicating a shift in demeanor when addressing challenges.
- ἐν (en): "in" or "with".
- ἀπουσίᾳ (apousia): "absence". Contrasts with "present" (parōn).
- πρὸς (pros): "toward".
- ὑμᾶς (hymas): "you" (plural).
Group Analysis:
- "But I, Paul, myself entreat you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ": Paul starts by reminding them of his gentleness, linking it directly to the character of Christ. This sets up the expectation for how he desires to deal with them.
- "I who am meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when away": This is the core statement of contrast. Paul acknowledges that his personal interactions (face to face) might appear meek, but his correspondence and actions from afar (when away) carry a different weight, reflecting a willingness to be firm when necessary. The apparent meekness in person is not a sign of weakness but a conscious choice rooted in Christ's example, while the boldness when absent is a readiness to exercise authority.
2 Corinthians 10 2 Bonus Section
The juxtaposition of "meekness and gentleness" with "boldness" highlights a mature understanding of leadership. True spiritual leadership is not solely about being permissive or always agreeable, but about knowing when to employ both grace and divine authority. This verse echoes the principle found in Proverbs 26:4-5, where answering a fool foolishly can make one like him, but answering him according to his folly might prevent him from being wise in his own eyes. Paul chooses to respond to the foolish challenges to his authority not with foolishness but with a delegated boldness that upholds God's truth, demonstrating that meekness does not exclude righteous judgment or firm correction. His willingness to be bold when absent signifies that his authority is not dependent on his physical presence but on the divine mandate given to him.
2 Corinthians 10 2 Commentary
Paul establishes a critical distinction between his personal demeanor and his apostolic authority. His gentleness, when physically present, mirrors Christ's character. However, this does not preclude him from exercising sternness and authority when absent, especially to address insubordination and false teachings that threaten the integrity of the Corinthian church. This dual approach is not hypocrisy but a strategic application of love and discipline, aiming for the spiritual health and obedience of the believers, consistent with Christ's authoritative teachings and pastoral leadership exercised through his apostles.