English Standard Version
2 Corinthians 10:2
2I 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 in other versions
- King James Version (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.
- New International Version (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.
- New King James Version (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.
- New Living Translation (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.
Context of 2 Corinthians 10:2
1I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away!— 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. 3For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
Read all of 2 Corinthians 102 Corinthians 10:2 word by word
δέομαι δὲ τὸ μὴ παρὼν θαρρῆσαι τῇ πεποιθήσει ᾗ λογίζομαι τολμῆσαι ἐπί τινας τοὺς λογιζομένους ἡμᾶς ὡς κατὰ σάρκα περιπατοῦντας.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- Butδέde · thenG1161
- I beseechδέομαιdeomai · to prayG1189
- that I mayθαρρέωtharrheō · be confidentG2292
- notμήmē · notG3361
- when I am presentπάρειμιpareimi · be presentG3918
- with that confidenceπεποίθησιςpepoithēsis · confidenceG4006
- wherewith I thinkλογίζομαιlogizomai · to countG3049
- to be boldτολμάωtolmaō · be boldG5111
- againstἐπίepi · upon/to/againstG1909
- someτιςtis · oneG5100
- whichὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
- of usἐγώegō · I/weG1473
- as ifὡςhōs · as/whenG5613
- we walkedπεριπατέωperipateō · to walkG4043
- according toκατάkata · according toG2596
- the fleshσάρξsarx · fleshG4561
Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 10:2
- 2 Corinthians 12:20For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.
- 2 Corinthians 13:2I warned those who sinned before and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that if I come again I will not spare them—
- 1 Corinthians 4:19But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power.
- 2 Corinthians 11:9And when I was with you and was in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my need. So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way.
- 2 Corinthians 12:13For in what were you less favored than the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!
- Romans 8:1There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
- Galatians 5:16But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
- Ephesians 2:2in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—
Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 10:2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2Some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh - As it is customary for cowards and overbearing men to threaten the weak and the timid when present; to bluster when absent; and to be very obsequious in the presence of the strong and courageous. This conduct they appear to have charged against the apostle, which he calls here walking after the flesh - acting as a man who had worldly ends in view, and would use any means in order to…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2That I may not be bold - I entreat you so to act that I may not have occasion to exercise the severity which I fear I shall be compelled to use against those who accuse me of being governed wholly by worldly motives and policy. In other words, that I may not be compelled to be bold and decisive in my measures by your improper conduct. Which think of us - Margin, “reckon.” They suppose this; or, they accuse me of it. By the word “us” here Paul means…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-6Paul clearly states his intentions and sincerity by defending himself against accusations of acting from human motives.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. I beseech you--Intimating that, as he can beseech in letters, so he can be severe in their presence. that I may not be--that I may not have to be bold, &c. with that confidence--that authoritative sternness. I think--I am minded to be. as if we walked according to the flesh--His Corinthian detractors judged of him by themselves, as if he were influenced by fleshly motives, the desire of favor or fear of giving offense, so as not to exercise his…Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Corinthians 10:2
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 10
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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