2 Corinthians 10:2

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.
• English Standard Version (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.
• 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.

Context of 2 Corinthians 10:2

1I, Paul, make my appeal to you with the gentleness and kindness of Christ. I’m the one who is humble when I’m with you but forceful toward you when I’m not with you. I beg you that when I am with you I won’t have to deal forcefully with you. I expect I will have to because some people think that we are only guided by human motives. 3Of course we are human, but we don’t fight like humans. 4The weapons we use in our fight are not made by humans. Rather, they are powerful weapons from God. With them we destroy people’s defenses, that is, their arguments

2 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 12:20I’m afraid that I may come and find you different from what I want you to be, and that you may find me different from what you want me to be. I’m afraid that there may be rivalry, jealousy, hot tempers, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly conduct.
• 2 Corinthians 13:2I already warned you when I was with you the second time, and even though I’m not there now, I’m warning you again. When I visit you again, I won’t spare you. That goes for all those who formerly led sinful lives as well as for all the others.
• 1 Corinthians 4:19If it’s the Lord’s will, I’ll visit you soon. Then I’ll know what these arrogant people are saying and what power they have.
• 2 Corinthians 11:9When I was with you and needed something, I didn’t bother any of you for help. My friends from the province of Macedonia supplied everything I needed. I kept myself from being a financial burden to you in any way, and I will continue to do that.
• 2 Corinthians 12:13How were you treated worse than the other churches, except that I didn’t bother you for help? Forgive me for this wrong!
• Romans 8:1So those who are believers in Christ Jesus can no longer be condemned.
• Galatians 5:16Let me explain further. Live your life as your spiritual nature directs you. Then you will never follow through on what your corrupt nature wants.
• Ephesians 2:2You followed the ways of this present world and its spiritual ruler. This ruler continues to work in people who refuse to obey God.

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

• Church
• Minister, Christian

In the dictionaries

• Approved
• Beseech
• Captivity
• Measure
• Walk
• Warfare
• Weapon
• Corinthians, Second Epistle to the
• Galatians, Epistle to the
• Paul, the Apostle

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