2 Corinthians 13:10

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.
• English Standard Version (ESV)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.
• 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.

Context of 2 Corinthians 13:10

8We can’t do anything against the truth but only to help the truth. 9We’re glad when we are weak and you are strong. We are also praying for your improvement. That’s why I’m writing this letter while I’m not with you. When I am with you I don’t want to be harsh by using the authority that the Lord gave me. The Lord gave us this authority to help you, not to hurt you. 11With that, brothers and sisters, I must say goodbye. Make sure that you improve. Accept my encouragement. Share the same attitude and live in peace. The God of love and peace will be with you. 12Greet one another with a holy kiss. All of God’s holy people greet you.

2 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 2:3This is the very reason I wrote to you. I didn’t want to visit you and be distressed by those who should make me happy. I’m confident about all of you that whatever makes me happy also makes you happy.
• 2 Corinthians 10:2I 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.
• 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.
• 1 Corinthians 4:21When I come to visit you, would you prefer that I punish you or show you love and a gentle spirit?
• 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.
• 2 Corinthians 10:8So, if I brag a little too much about the authority which the Lord gave us, I’m not ashamed. The Lord gave us this authority to help you, not to hurt you.

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

• Church
• Minister, Christian

In the dictionaries

• Examine
• Prove
• Authority in Religion
• Corinthians, Second Epistle to the
• Edification; Edify
• Galatians, Epistle to the
• Paul, the Apostle
• Excommunication

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