2 Corinthians 10 8

2 Corinthians 10:8 kjv

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:

2 Corinthians 10:8 nkjv

For even if I should boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord gave us for edification and not for your destruction, I shall not be ashamed?

2 Corinthians 10:8 niv

So even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of it.

2 Corinthians 10:8 esv

For even if I boast a little too much of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be ashamed.

2 Corinthians 10:8 nlt

I may seem to be boasting too much about the authority given to us by the Lord. But our authority builds you up; it doesn't tear you down. So I will not be ashamed of using my authority.

2 Corinthians 10 verses

2 Corinthians 10 8 Meaning

The apostle Paul, responding to challenges against his authority in Corinth, asserts that even if he were to speak more boldly about the spiritual power entrusted to him, this boldness would be entirely justified. He underscores that his apostolic authority, a direct gift from Jesus Christ, has a singular and constructive purpose: to edify and strengthen the Corinthian believers, fostering their spiritual growth and unity. Crucially, this divine authority is explicitly not for their destruction or demolition as individuals or as a church body. Paul expresses full confidence that his use of this authority will ultimately be vindicated by God, demonstrating its legitimacy and redemptive intent, ensuring he will never be disgraced by its exercise.

2 Corinthians 10 8 Context

2 Corinthians 10:8 stands within a crucial section (chapters 10-13) where Paul fiercely defends his apostolic authority and integrity against opponents in the Corinthian church. These adversaries accused him of being "weak in person" and "weighty in letters," implying his authority was mere rhetoric rather than substance. They likely practiced a form of ministry characterized by human eloquence, self-promotion, and possibly financial exploitation, contrasting with Paul's humble demeanor and gospel-centered approach.

In the immediate verses leading to 2 Cor 10:8, Paul asserts that his spiritual warfare is not fought with carnal weapons but with "divinely powerful" ones to demolish "strongholds" and "arguments" (v. 4-5) that defy the knowledge of God. This clarifies that while his authority can tear down spiritual obstacles and false ideologies, verse 8 specifies that his authority over the Corinthians themselves is intended purely for their edification—their spiritual strengthening and building up—never for their personal destruction or demolition. This distinction is vital: demolish the opposing structures of thought, but build up the people. Paul aims to bring every thought captive to Christ, ultimately to restore and reconcile the church, demonstrating that his power, like Christ's, is always for redemption and spiritual health.

2 Corinthians 10 8 Word analysis

• For: (γὰρ, gar) Introduces a clarification or reason for Paul's preceding statements about his spiritual authority.

• even if: (ἐάν τε, ean te) A concessive conjunction, indicating a hypothetical scenario: even granting the possibility that he might boast. It frames his statement as a deliberate rhetorical choice to make a point.

• I should boast: (καυχήσωμαι, kauchēsōmai) From kauchaomai, meaning "to glory, boast, exult." This isn't worldly boasting in his own abilities, but a divine boast rooted in God's gift, an act forced by his detractors to clarify the source and purpose of his authority.

• somewhat more: (περισσότερόν τι, perissoterón ti) Indicates that Paul could extend his boasting even further but exercises restraint, measuring his words even in defense. It emphasizes a degree of permissible boasting.

• about our authority: (περὶ τῆς ἐξουσίας ἡμῶν, peri tēs exousías hēmōn)

  • authority: (ἐξουσία, exousia) Signifies delegated power, the right to act, privilege, jurisdiction. This isn't raw might but divinely conferred prerogative. It distinguishes his power from human-derived power, linking it directly to Christ's headship.
  • our: Implies his shared authority with other legitimate apostles or ministerial colleagues, not solely his individual claim.

• which the Lord gave: (ἧς ἔδωκεν ὁ Κύριος, hēs edōken ho Kyrios) This is the crux of legitimacy.

  • Lord: (Κύριος, Kyrios) Refers specifically to Jesus Christ, emphasizing that Paul's authority originates not from self-appointment, human councils, or charismatic persuasiveness, but directly from Christ himself. This grounds his apostleship in divine commission.
  • gave: (ἔδωκεν, edōken) A simple past tense, pointing to a specific act of bestowal.

• for building you up: (εἰς οἰκοδομήν ὑμῶν, eis oikodomēn hymōn)

  • building you up: (οἰκοδομήν, oikodomēn) A critical Pauline term meaning "edification," literally "the act of building a house." Spiritually, it signifies the process of strengthening, encouraging, equipping, maturing, and bringing growth to believers and the church as a whole. It’s an active, positive, and growth-oriented purpose.
  • you: Directly refers to the Corinthian believers, indicating that the authority is applied for their benefit.

• and not for tearing you down: (καὶ οὐκ εἰς καθαίρεσιν, kai ouk eis kathairesin)

  • not: (οὐκ, ouk) A strong, definitive negation.
  • tearing down: (καθαίρεσιν, kathairesin) Means "pulling down," "demolishing," "destruction." This stands in direct contrast to oikodomē. While Paul's authority could "demolish strongholds" of sin and false arguments (vv. 4-5), his authority over the believers is emphatically not for their destruction, harm, or deconstruction as a community. This delineates the boundaries of apostolic power within the church, where its aim is always redemptive and restorative.

• I will not be put to shame: (οὐκ αἰσχυνθήσομαι, ouk aischynthēsomai)

  • not... put to shame: (οὐκ αἰσχυνθήσομαι, ouk aischyntésomai) Indicates Paul's firm conviction and divine assurance. He is confident that his ministry and the legitimate use of his authority, rooted in God's purpose of edification, will ultimately be honored and vindicated by God, proving the critics wrong. God will not allow His servant who acts in His name for His intended purpose to suffer disgrace.

• Words-group Analysis

  • "even if I should boast somewhat more about our authority": This phrase highlights Paul's strategic and controlled self-assertion. He is not boasting out of pride, but in defense of the truth, knowing his critics perceived any display of strength as arrogance. The "somewhat more" indicates a careful, measured use of a power he largely chose to suppress in weakness, in contrast to the immoderate claims of his opponents.
  • "which the Lord gave": This short, powerful clause roots Paul's entire claim of authority directly in divine mandate. It removes any human ego from the equation, asserting that his exousia is not self-derived but is a sacred trust. This undergirds the legitimacy and power behind his letters, making it clear that when he speaks, he speaks with the backing of Christ.
  • "for building you up and not for tearing you down": This is the defining ethical boundary and guiding principle of true apostolic or spiritual authority within the church. It distinguishes legitimate ministry, which always aims for the spiritual good and maturation of people, from manipulative or self-serving leadership that wounds, fragments, or abuses. Any exercise of spiritual power that leads to the systemic detriment of believers is a misuse of God's gift.

2 Corinthians 10 8 Bonus section

Paul's phrase "which the Lord gave" is crucial not only for validating his own apostleship but also for setting a universal standard for all spiritual authority. It signifies that leadership in the church is not a matter of charisma, personal ambition, or acquired human skill alone, but a divinely appointed role with specific, God-defined parameters. The word Kyrios (Lord) implicitly links Paul's authority to the ultimate authority of Christ Himself, making Christ the active bestower and the ultimate judge of how this authority is wielded. This underscores the servant-leader model, where power is exercised in conformity to Christ's own example of humility and sacrificial love, always with the flock's welfare at heart.

Furthermore, the tension between Paul's willingness to use his authority for demolition (of strongholds/arguments in vv. 4-5) and for building (of believers in v. 8) is a deliberate theological and rhetorical strategy. It showcases the comprehensive scope of apostolic power: robust against evil and falsehood, yet tender and constructive toward God's people. This nuanced application of authority would have resonated with believers who struggled with the destructive influence of false teachers. It reminded them that authentic divine power aims for restoration and maturity, demonstrating Christ's authority to heal, not to wound.

2 Corinthians 10 8 Commentary

2 Corinthians 10:8 is a cornerstone statement on the nature and purpose of God-given authority in the church. Paul's willingness to "boast" a little more is not a shift into pride but a necessary clarification forced by his accusers. He establishes that his authority (Greek exousia), which is genuinely potent and could indeed enforce discipline, is primarily for edification. Its divine origin, given by "the Lord" (Jesus Christ), dictates its holy and constructive application. It means fostering spiritual maturity, encouraging, strengthening faith, and consolidating the community of believers.

The explicit negation, "and not for tearing you down," is crucial. It demarcates true apostolic power from destructive tyranny. While God's power through apostles can indeed confront and dismantle ungodly thoughts or systems (as seen in the previous verses), it never aims to harm or diminish believers themselves. Any form of leadership that systematically destroys individual believers, dismembers the body of Christ, or fails to facilitate spiritual growth, contradicts the very essence of the authority given by the Lord. This verse acts as both Paul's defense against charges of harshness and a universal criterion for assessing genuine spiritual leadership: its ultimate aim must be to build up, not to pull down, demonstrating the loving, redemptive heart of God in all actions. This also assures the believers that Paul’s intentions, though at times severe in correction, always pointed towards their ultimate good and restoration, thus securing his promise: "I will not be put to shame."

• Practical Example: A pastor who addresses a sinful practice in the church with firm but loving correction, always pointing to repentance and restoration, is exercising authority for "building up." Conversely, a leader who uses their position to constantly belittle, isolate, or verbally abuse members, causing division and fear, is tragically using authority for "tearing down."