2 Corinthians 10:8

2 Corinthians 10:8 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:
• New International Version (NIV)So even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of it.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For 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.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For even if I should boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord gave us for edification and not for your destruction, I shall not be ashamed—

Context of 2 Corinthians 10:8

6and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete. 7You are looking at things as they are outwardly. If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we. For even if I boast somewhat further about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be put to shame, 9for I do not wish to seem as if I would terrify you by my letters. 10For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his personal presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible.”

2 Corinthians 10:8 word by word

ἐάν τε γὰρ περισσότερόν τι καυχήσωμαι περὶ τῆς ἐξουσίας ἡμῶν ἧς ἔδωκεν ὁ κύριος εἰς οἰκοδομὴν καὶ οὐκ εἰς καθαίρεσιν ὑμῶν, οὐκ αἰσχυνθήσομαι·Read the interlinear

• For evenτεte · and/bothG5037
• ifἐάνean · ifG1437
• I boastκαυχάομαιkauchaomai · to boastG2744
• somewhatτιςtis · oneG5100
• furtherπερισσόςperissos · excessiveG4053
• aboutπερίperi · aboutG4012
• authorityἐξουσίαexousia · authorityG1849
• whichὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• the Lordκύριοςkurios · lord: GodG2962
• gaveδίδωμιdidōmi · to giveG1325
• for buildingοἰκοδομήoikodomē · buildingG3619
• you up and not for destroyingκαθαίρεσιςkathairesis · destructionG2506
• you, I will not be putαἰσχύνωaischunomai · be ashamedG153

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 10:8

• 2 Corinthians 1:24Not that we lord it over your faith, but are workers with you for your joy; for in your faith you are standing firm.
• 2 Corinthians 13:2I have previously said when present the second time, and though now absent I say in advance to those who have sinned in the past and to all the rest as well, that if I come again I will not spare anyone,
• Galatians 1:1Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead),
• 2 Corinthians 7:14For if in anything I have boasted to him about you, I was not put to shame; but as we spoke all things to you in truth, so also our boasting before Titus proved to be the truth.
• 2 Corinthians 12:6For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me.
• 2 Timothy 1:12For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 10:8

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 8For, though I should boast, etc. - I have a greater authority and spiritual power than I have yet shown, both to edify and to punish; but I employ this for your edification in righteousness, and not for the destruction of any delinquent. "This," says Calmet, "is the rule which the pastors of the Church ever propose to themselves in the exercise of their authority; whether to enjoin or forbid, to dispense or to oblige, to bind or to loose. They should use…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 8For though I should boast … - If I should make even higher claims than I have done to a divine commission. I could urge higher evidence than I have done that I am sent by the Lord Jesus. Of our authority - Of my authority as an apostle, my power to administer discipline, and to direct the affairs of the church. Which the Lord hath given us for edification - A power primarily conferred to build up his people and save them and not to destroy. I should not…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 7-11Verses 7-11 In outward appearance, Paul was mean and despised in the eyes of some, but this was a false rule to judge by. We must not think that none outward appearance, as if the want of such things proved a man not to be a real Christian, or an able, faithful minister of the lowly Saviour.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 7-11The rival teachers claimed to represent Christ in a way that excluded Paul due to his perceived weakness. Paul explained that true authority is different from being a controlling leader. His authority aimed to strengthen God's people, not to harm them (see 13:10). However, he planned to address these rivals firmly when he visited Corinth (see 13:1).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 88. "For even if I were to boast somewhat more exceedingly (than I do, 2Co 10:3-6) of our (apostolic) authority (2Co 10:6; 2Co 13:10) ... I should not be put to shame (by the fact; as I should be if my authority proved to be without foundation: my threats of punishment not being carried into effect)." for edification ... not for ... destruction--Greek, "for building up ... not for ... CASTING DOWN" (the same Greek as in 2Co 10:5): the image of a building…Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Corinthians 10:8

• Church
• Minister, Christian

In the dictionaries

• Approved
• Beseech
• Captivity
• Luke, Gospel according to
• Measure
• Walk
• Warfare
• Weapon
• Authority in Religion
• Corinthians, Second Epistle to the

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