English Standard Version
2 Corinthians 13:10
10For this reason I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.
2 Corinthians 13:10 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.
- New International Version (NIV)This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority—the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for edification and not for destruction.
- New Living Translation (NLT)I am writing this to you before I come, hoping that I won’t need to deal severely with you when I do come. For I want to use the authority the Lord has given me to strengthen you, not to tear you down.
Context of 2 Corinthians 13:10
8For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for. For this reason I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down. 11Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12Greet one another with a holy kiss.
Read all of 2 Corinthians 132 Corinthians 13:10 word by word
διὰ τοῦτο ταῦτα ἀπὼν γράφω, ἵνα παρὼν μὴ ἀποτόμως χρήσωμαι κατὰ τὴν ἐξουσίαν ἣν ὁ κύριος ἔδωκέν μοι εἰς οἰκοδομὴν καὶ οὐκ εἰς καθαίρεσιν.¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Thereforeδιάdia · through/because ofG1223
- ·οὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
- I writeγράφωgraphō · to writeG1125
- beingἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
- absentἄπειμιapeimi · be awayG548
- lestμήmē · notG3361
- being presentπάρειμιpareimi · be presentG3918
- I should useχράωchraomai · to useG5530
- sharpnessἀποτόμωςapotomōs · severelyG664
- accordingκατάkata · according toG2596
- to the powerὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- to the powerἐξουσίαexousia · authorityG1849
- whichὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
- the Lordκύριοςkurios · lord: GodG2962
- hath givenδίδωμιdidōmi · to giveG1325
- meἐγώegō · I/weG1473
- toεἰςeis · towardG1519
- edificationοἰκοδομήoikodomē · buildingG3619
- andκαίkai · andG2532
- notοὐou · noG3756
- destructionκαθαίρεσιςkathairesis · destructionG2506
Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 13:10
- 2 Corinthians 2:3And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all.
- 2 Corinthians 10:2I 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 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.
- 1 Corinthians 4:21What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?
- 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—
- 2 Corinthians 10:8For 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.
Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 13:10
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 10Therefore I write these things - I only threaten you now, by this epistle, to put you on your guard, and lead you to reformation before I visit you that I may not then have to use sharpness, , a cutting off, employing thus my apostolical authority to inflict punishment; a power which God has given me, rather to be employed in your edification than in your destruction.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 10Therefore I write these things - This is a kind of apology for what he had said, and especially for the apparently harsh language which he had felt himself constrained to use. He had reproved them; he had admonished them of their faults; he had threatened punishment, all of which was designed to prevent the necessity of severe measures when he should be with them. Lest being present I should use sharpness - In order that when I come I may not have…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 7-10Verses 7-10 The most desirable thing we can ask of God, for ourselves and our friends, is to be kept from sin, that we and they may not do evil. We have far more need to pray that we may not do evil, than that we may not suffer evil. The apostle not only desired that they might be kept from sin, but also that they might grow in grace, and increase in holiness. We are earnestly to pray to God for those we caution, that they may cease to do evil, and learn…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 10Paul did not want to punish the Corinthians harshly (12:21). He aimed to use his apostolic authority positively. However, his role required him to both strengthen and tear down (compare Jeremiah 1:10). for building you up: This is Paul's favorite way to describe a stable Christian community (see Ephesians 4:12), where the Lord lives in and among the believers (2 Corinthians 13:5).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1010. Therefore--because I wish the "sharpness" to be in my letters rather than in deeds [Chrysostom]. edification ... not to destruction--for building up ... not for casting down. To "use sharpness" would seem to be casting down, rather than building up; therefore he prefers not to have to use it.Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Corinthians 13:10
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 13
- 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
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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