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2 Corinthians 10

BSB·18 verses ·New Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Nowδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → byδιὰdia — through; by means of; because ofG1223 — Full Word Study → theτῆςtēs — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → mildnessπραΰτητοςprautētos — Gentle strength, humble meeknessG4240 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → gentlenessἐπιεικείαςepieikeias — Gentle kindness; forbearance; graciousnessG1932 — Full Word Study → of ChristΧριστοῦChristou — The Anointed OneG5547 — Full Word Study →, I appealπαρακαλῶparakalō — to urge, comfort, or exhortG3870 — Full Word Study → to youὑμᾶςhymas — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study →Iἐγὼegō — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study →, PaulΠαῦλοςPaulos — small; humbleG3972 — Full Word Study →, whoὃςhos — who, which, thatG3739 — Full Word Study → am humble when face to faceπρόσωπονprosōpon — Face, presence, or outward appearanceG4383 — Full Word Study → withἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → youὑμῖνhymin — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study →, butδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → boldθαρρῶtharrō — To be confident, bold, or courageousG2292 — Full Word Study → when awayἀπὼνapōn — to be absent or awayG548 — Full Word Study →. 2I beg you thatτὸto — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → when I comeπαρὼνparōn — To be present, to be here, to arriveG3918 — Full Word Study → I may not need to beθαρρῆσαιtharrēsai — To be confident, bold, or courageousG2292 — Full Word Study → as boldπεποιθήσειpepoithēsei — confident trust; assurance of heartG4006 — Full Word Study → ashē — who, which, thatG3739 — Full Word Study → I expectλογίζομαιlogizomai — to reckon, count, or consider as trueG3049 — Full Word Study → towardἐπίepi — upon, on, over, againstG1909 — Full Word Study → those whoτοὺςtous — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → presume thatλογιζομένουςlogizomenous — to reckon, count, or consider as trueG3049 — Full Word Study → weἡμᾶςhēmas — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → liveπεριπατοῦνταςperipatountas — to walk, to conduct oneself, to liveG4043 — Full Word Study → according toκατὰkata — according to, down along, againstG2596 — Full Word Study → the flesh. 3Forγὰρgar — for, because, since (causal/explanatory conjunction)G1063 — Full Word Study → though we liveπεριπατοῦντεςperipatountes — to walk, to conduct oneself, to liveG4043 — Full Word Study → inἘνEn — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → the flesh, we do not wage warστρατευόμεθαstrateuometha — To serve as a soldier; to wage war or battleG4754 — Full Word Study → according toκατὰkata — according to, down along, againstG2596 — Full Word Study → the flesh. 4Theτὰta — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → weaponsὅπλαhopla — weapon or tool of warfareG3696 — Full Word Study → ofτῆςtēs — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → ourἡμῶνhēmōn — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → warfareστρατείαςstrateias — spiritual warfare or military campaignG4752 — Full Word Study → are not the weapons of the world. Insteadἀλλὰalla — but, yet, rather, on the other handG235 — Full Word Study →, they have divineΘεῷTheō — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study → powerδυνατὰdynata — Able, capable, powerful, mightyG1415 — Full Word Study → toπρὸςpros — toward, to, with, in relation toG4314 — Full Word Study → demolishκαθαίρεσινkathairesin — tearing down, demolition, destructionG2506 — Full Word Study → strongholdsὀχυρωμάτωνochyrōmatōn — Fortified stronghold or fortressG3794 — Full Word Study →. 5We tear down argumentsλογισμοὺςlogismous — A thought, reasoning, or mental calculationG3053 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → everyπᾶνpan — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study → presumptionὕψωμαhypsōma — Height, elevated thing, or exalted positionG5313 — Full Word Study → set upἐπαιρόμενονepairomenon — to lift up, raise, or exaltG1869 — Full Word Study → againstκατὰkata — according to, down along, againstG2596 — Full Word Study → theτῆςtēs — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → knowledgeγνώσεωςgnōseōs — Knowledge, understanding, recognitionG1108 — Full Word Study → of GodΘεοῦTheou — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study →; andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → we take captiveαἰχμαλωτίζοντεςaichmalōtizontes — to capture or take captive; to lead away as a prisonerG163 — Full Word Study → everyπᾶνpan — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study → thoughtνόημαnoēma — Mind, thought, intention, or purposeG3540 — Full Word Study → toεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → make it obedientὑπακοὴνhypakoēn — Submission to authority; willing obedienceG5218 — Full Word Study → to ChristΧριστοῦChristou — The Anointed OneG5547 — Full Word Study →. 6Andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → weἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → will beἔχοντεςechontes — To have, hold, or possessG2192 — Full Word Study → readyἑτοίμῳhetoimō — Prepared, ready, made fit or suitableG2092 — Full Word Study → to punishἐκδικῆσαιekdikēsai — to avenge, vindicate, or execute justiceG1556 — Full Word Study → every act of disobedienceπαρακοήνparakoēn — Disobedience, failure to obeyG3876 — Full Word Study →, as soon asὅτανhotan — whenever, at the time when, as soon asG3752 — Full Word Study → yourὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → obedienceὑπακοήhypakoē — Submission to authority; willing obedienceG5218 — Full Word Study → is completeπληρωθῇplērōthē — to fill up, complete, or bring to fulfillmentG4137 — Full Word Study →. 7You are lookingβλέπετεblepete — to see, look at, perceive, bewareG991 — Full Word Study → atκατὰkata — according to, down along, againstG2596 — Full Word Study → outward appearancesπρόσωπονprosōpon — Face, presence, or outward appearanceG4383 — Full Word Study →. Ifεἴei — if; conditional conjunction introducing hypothetical or contingent circumstancesG1487 — Full Word Study → anyoneτιςtis — a certain one; some; anyone; an indefinite pronounG5100 — Full Word Study → is confidentπέποιθενpepoithen — to persuade, convince, or win overG3982 — Full Word Study → that heἑαυτῷheautō — himself, herself, itself, themselves; oneselfG1438 — Full Word Study → belongs toεἶναιeinai — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → ChristΧριστοῦChristou — The Anointed OneG5547 — Full Word Study →, he should remindλογιζέσθωlogizesthō — to reckon, count, or consider as trueG3049 — Full Word Study → himselfἑαυτοῦheautou — himself, herself, itself, themselves; oneselfG1438 — Full Word Study → thatὅτιhoti — that; because; since; introducing clauses of reason or contentG3754 — Full Word Study → weἡμεῖςhēmeis — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → belong to Christ justκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → as much asκαθὼςkathōs — just as; in the manner that; according toG2531 — Full Word Study → heαὐτὸςautos — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → does. 8Forγὰρgar — for, because, since (causal/explanatory conjunction)G1063 — Full Word Study → evenτεte — and; both; also; evenG5037 — Full Word Study → ifἐάνean — conditional particle; if, whether, in case thatG1437 — Full Word Study → I boastκαυχήσωμαιkauchēsōmai — to boast, glory, or take pride in somethingG2744 — Full Word Study → somewhatτιti — a certain one; some; anyone; an indefinite pronounG5100 — Full Word Study → excessivelyπερισσότερόνperissoteron — excessive, abundant, beyond measureG4053 — Full Word Study → aboutπερὶperi — about, concerning, around, on behalf ofG4012 — Full Word Study → theτῆςtēs — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → authorityἐξουσίαςexousias — authority, power, or right to actG1849 — Full Word Study → theho — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → LordΚύριοςKyrios — Lord; master; one who has authority or ownershipG2962 — Full Word Study → gaveἔδωκενedōken — to give, grant, or bestowG1325 — Full Word Study → usἡμῶνhēmōn — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → forεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → building you up rather thanκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → tearing you downκαθαίρεσινkathairesin — tearing down, demolition, destructionG2506 — Full Word Study →, I will not be ashamedαἰσχυνθήσομαιaischynthēsomai — to feel shame; be ashamedG153 — Full Word Study →. 9I do not want to seemδόξωdoxō — to seem, appear, or think; to suppose or judgeG1380 — Full Word Study → to beὡςhōs — as, like, when, in the manner thatG5613 — Full Word Study → trying to frighten youὑμᾶςhymas — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → byδιὰdia — through; by means of; because ofG1223 — Full Word Study → my lettersἐπιστολῶνepistolōn — written letter or epistleG1992 — Full Word Study →. 10ForὍτιHoti — that; because; since; introducing clauses of reason or contentG3754 — Full Word Study → some say, “His lettersἐπιστολαὶepistolai — written letter or epistleG1992 — Full Word Study → are weighty andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → forcefulἰσχυραίischyrai — Strong, mighty, powerfulG2478 — Full Word Study →, butδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → hisτοῦtou — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → physicalσώματοςsōmatos — Physical body; corporeal formG4983 — Full Word Study → presenceπαρουσίαparousia — Physical arrival or presence of a personG3952 — Full Word Study → is unimpressive, andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → his speakingλόγοςlogos — word, statement, message, divine utteranceG3056 — Full Word Study → is of no account.” 11Such people should considerλογιζέσθωlogizesthō — to reckon, count, or consider as trueG3049 — Full Word Study → thatὅτιhoti — that; because; since; introducing clauses of reason or contentG3754 — Full Word Study → whatοἷοίhoioi — of such a kind, what sort ofG3634 — Full Word Study → we areἐσμενesmen — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → inδι’di’ — through; by means of; because ofG1223 — Full Word Study → our letters when absentἀπόντεςapontes — to be absent or awayG548 — Full Word Study →, we will be in our actionsἔργῳergō — Work, deed, or action; labor or taskG2041 — Full Word Study → when presentπαρόντεςparontes — To be present, to be here, to arriveG3918 — Full Word Study →. 12We do not dareτολμῶμενtolmōmen — to dare, be bold, show courageG5111 — Full Word Study → to classifyἐνκρῖναιenkrinai — to classify or rank amongG1469 — Full Word Study → orē — Or; either...or; conjunction expressing alternativesG2228 — Full Word Study → compareσυνκρῖναιsynkrinai — to compare, combine, or explain togetherG4793 — Full Word Study → ourselves with someτισινtisin — a certain one; some; anyone; an indefinite pronounG5100 — Full Word Study → whoτῶνtōn — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → commendσυνιστανόντωνsynistanontōn — to commend, approve, or demonstrateG4921 — Full Word Study → themselvesἑαυτοὺςheautous — himself, herself, itself, themselves; oneselfG1438 — Full Word Study →. When they measureμετροῦντεςmetrountes — to measure; to estimate or judgeG3354 — Full Word Study → themselvesἑαυτοὺςheautous — himself, herself, itself, themselves; oneselfG1438 — Full Word Study → byἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → themselvesἑαυτοῖςheautois — himself, herself, itself, themselves; oneselfG1438 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → compareσυνκρίνοντεςsynkrinontes — to compare, combine, or explain togetherG4793 — Full Word Study → themselvesἑαυτοὺςheautous — himself, herself, itself, themselves; oneselfG1438 — Full Word Study → with themselvesἑαυτοῖςheautois — himself, herself, itself, themselves; oneselfG1438 — Full Word Study →, they show their ignoranceσυνιᾶσινsyniasin — to understand, comprehend, or perceive with insightG4920 — Full Word Study →. 13Weἡμεῖςhēmeis — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study →, howeverδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study →, will not boastκαυχησόμεθαkauchēsometha — to boast, glory, or take pride in somethingG2744 — Full Word Study → beyond our limitsἄμετραametra — Immoderate, exceeding all bounds, without measureG280 — Full Word Study →, but onlyἀλλὰalla — but, yet, rather, on the other handG235 — Full Word Study → withinκατὰkata — according to, down along, againstG2596 — Full Word Study → theτὸto — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → field of influenceμέτρονmetron — measure, standard, portionG3358 — Full Word Study → thatοὗhou — who, which, thatG3739 — Full Word Study → GodΘεὸςTheos — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study → has assignedἐμέρισενemerisen — to divide, distribute, or separate into partsG3307 — Full Word Study → to usἡμῖνhēmin — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study →a fieldμέτρουmetrou — measure, standard, portionG3358 — Full Word Study → that reachesἐφικέσθαιephikesthai — to reach, arrive at, attain toG2185 — Full Word Study → evenκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → toἄχριachri — Until, up to, as far asG891 — Full Word Study → youὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study →. 14We are not oversteppingὑπερεκτείνομενhyperekteinomen — to stretch beyond measure; to overextend oneselfG5239 — Full Word Study → our bounds, as ifὡςhōs — as, like, when, in the manner thatG5613 — Full Word Study → we had not comeἐφικνούμενοιephiknoumenoi — to reach, arrive at, attain toG2185 — Full Word Study → toεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → youὑμᾶςhymas — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study →. Indeedγὰρgar — for, because, since (causal/explanatory conjunction)G1063 — Full Word Study →, we were the first to reachἐφθάσαμενephthasamen — to arrive at, reach, attain, or come beforehandG5348 — Full Word Study → youὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → withἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → theτῷtō — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → gospelεὐαγγελίῳeuangeliō — Good news; the Gospel messageG2098 — Full Word Study → of ChristΧριστοῦChristou — The Anointed OneG5547 — Full Word Study →. 15Neitherοὐκouk — No, not, negation particleG3756 — Full Word Study → do we boastκαυχώμενοιkauchōmenoi — to boast, glory, or take pride in somethingG2744 — Full Word Study → beyond our limitsἄμετραametra — Immoderate, exceeding all bounds, without measureG280 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → the labors of othersἀλλοτρίοιςallotriois — belonging to another; foreign, strange, or alienG245 — Full Word Study →. Butδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → we hope thatἐλπίδαelpida — confident expectation; hope; trust in God's promisesG1680 — Full Word Study → as your faithπίστεωςpisteōs — Trust, belief, confidence in GodG4102 — Full Word Study → increasesαὐξανομένηςauxanomenēs — to grow, increase, or enlargeG837 — Full Word Study →, ourἡμῶνhēmōn — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → area of influenceκανόναkanona — rule, standard, or measuring rodG2583 — Full Word Study → amongἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → youὑμῖνhymin — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → will greatly increase as well, 16so thatεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → we can preach the gospelεὐαγγελίσασθαιeuangelisasthai — To proclaim or announce good news; to preach the gospelG2097 — Full Word Study → in the regions beyondὑπερέκειναhyperekeina — beyond, on the other side ofG5238 — Full Word Study → youὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study →. Then we will not be boastinἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study →g in the work already doneἕτοιμαhetoima — Prepared, ready, made fit or suitableG2092 — Full Word Study → inεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → another man’sἀλλοτρίῳallotriō — belonging to another; foreign, strange, or alienG245 — Full Word Study → territoryκανόνιkanoni — rule, standard, or measuring rodG2583 — Full Word Study →. 17Ratherδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study →, “Let him who boastsκαυχώμενοςkauchōmenos — to boast, glory, or take pride in somethingG2744 — Full Word Study → boastκαυχάσθωkauchasthō — to boast, glory, or take pride in somethingG2744 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → the Lord.” 18Forγὰρgar — for, because, since (causal/explanatory conjunction)G1063 — Full Word Study → it isἐστινestin — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → notοὐou — No, not, negation particleG3756 — Full Word Study → the one who commendsσυνιστάνωνsynistanōn — to commend, approve, or demonstrateG4921 — Full Word Study → himselfἑαυτὸνheauton — himself, herself, itself, themselves; oneselfG1438 — Full Word Study → who is approvedδόκιμοςdokimos — approved, tested, genuineG1384 — Full Word Study →, butἀλλὰalla — but, yet, rather, on the other handG235 — Full Word Study → the one whomὃνhon — who, which, thatG3739 — Full Word Study → theho — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → LordΚύριοςKyrios — Lord; master; one who has authority or ownershipG2962 — Full Word Study → commendsσυνίστησινsynistēsin — to commend, approve, or demonstrateG4921 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — 2 Corinthians 10
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

In 2 Corinthians 10, Paul addresses serious challenges to his apostolic authority from critics in the Corinthian church. Some opponents had questioned his legitimacy, contrasting his forceful letters with his supposedly weak physical presence and poor speaking ability. Paul responds not with arrogance, but by clarifying the nature of spiritual authority—it is not measured by worldly standards of appearance or eloquence, but by the power of God working through faithful ministry. This chapter shifts the tone of 2 Corinthians markedly, introducing what many scholars believe was Paul's response to a new crisis that had emerged since his earlier correspondence.

Verses 1–5: The Nature of Spiritual Authority

Paul opens by appealing to the Corinthians by the meekness and gentleness of Christ (verse 1). Though his critics claim he is bold in letters but weak in person, Paul emphasizes that his authority rests not in personal charisma but in Christ's character. Notice his humility: even in defending himself, he grounds his appeal in Christ's virtues, not his own.

In verses 3–5, Paul clarifies a vital truth: though believers live physically in a fallen world, our weapons of warfare are not carnal. The spiritual warfare he mentions is not fought with human strength or worldly tactics. Rather, God's weapons are mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds—these strongholds are false ideologies, pride, and spiritual rebellion. The tools are prayer, God's Word, and faithful proclamation. Paul's real battle is demolishing mental and spiritual fortresses that oppose Christ's truth.

Practical Application: Believers today often fight using worldly methods—manipulation, anger, or force—when addressing spiritual issues. Paul reminds us that lasting change comes through God's power, not human strategy.

Verses 6–12: Distinguishing True from False Apostles

Paul mentions his readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled (verse 6). This means his authority will vindicate itself once the church fully obeys the gospel. He is not threatening violence but spiritual accountability.

Verse 7 turns the tables on his critics with a piercing question: "Do ye look on things after the outward appearance?" Paul's opponents were judging by external credentials—probably formal letters of recommendation, impressive physique, or eloquent speech. But this is superficial judgment. Those who truly belong to Christ should recognize fellow believers by their faithfulness to Christ, not by mere appearance.

In verses 11–12, Paul refuses to engage in the petty boasting and self-comparison his opponents practice. They commend themselves and measure themselves by themselves—a circular logic that proves nothing. Paul will not stoop to this vanity. His measure is not self-evaluation but the rule which God hath distributed to him, namely, his apostolic calling to establish churches and teach the gospel.

Practical Application: We live in an age of self-promotion and personal branding. Paul's refusal to compare himself or seek man's approval is countercultural and deeply Christian—our worth is found in Christ's commission, not in likes, followers, or public approval.

Verses 13–18: Boasting in the Lord Alone

Paul's final argument is simple: he does not boast beyond the measure of the rule which God hath distributed (verse 13). His authority extends to the Corinthians (verse 14) because he founded their church and preached Christ to them. He has no right to boast of other men's labours (verse 15).

The chapter closes with the golden principle of verse 17: He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. True approval comes not from self-commendation but from whom the Lord commendeth (verse 18). This single verse encapsulates the entire chapter: abandon worldly measures of success; seek only God's approbation.

Application for Today

In a culture obsessed with image, credentials, and self-promotion, Paul's message cuts to the heart: your authority and significance in God's kingdom are not determined by your appearance, eloquence, or ability to impress others. They rest entirely on your faithfulness to Christ and your willingness to serve according to the measure God has given you. Stop comparing yourself to others. Stop seeking the approval of people. Ask instead: Am I faithful to what God has called me to do? Am I seeking Christ's approval alone?

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