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

6We are also ready to punish every act of disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete. 7You are looking at outward appearances. If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should reflect on this again: Just as he himself belongs to Christ, so too do we. For if I boast somewhat more about our authority that the Lord gave us for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of doing so. 9I do not want to seem as though I am trying to terrify you with my letters, 10because some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but his physical presence is weak and his speech is of no account.”

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

Words taken from the KJV.

• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• thoughἐάνean · ifG1437
• ·τεte · and/bothG5037
• I should boastκαυχάομαιkauchaomai · to boastG2744
• ·καίkai · andG2532
• somewhatτιςtis · oneG5100
• moreπερισσόςperissos · excessiveG4053
• ofπερίperi · aboutG4012
• ourἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• authorityὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• authorityἐξουσίαexousia · authorityG1849
• whichὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• the Lordκύριοςkurios · lord: GodG2962
• hath givenδίδωμιdidōmi · to giveG1325
• forεἰςeis · towardG1519
• edificationοἰκοδομήoikodomē · buildingG3619
• notοὐou · noG3756
• yourσύsu · youG4771
• destructionκαθαίρεσιςkathairesis · destructionG2506
• I shouldαἰσχύνωaischunomai · be ashamedG153

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 10:8

• 2 Corinthians 1:24I do not mean that we rule over your faith, but we are workers with you for your joy, because by faith you stand firm.
• 2 Corinthians 13:2I said before when I was present the second time and now, though absent, I say again to those who sinned previously and to all the rest, that if I come again, I will not spare anyone,
• Galatians 1:1From Paul, an apostle (not from men, nor by human agency, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead)
• 2 Corinthians 7:14For if I have boasted to him about anything concerning you, I have not been embarrassed by you, but just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting to Titus about you has proved true as well.
• 2 Corinthians 12:6For even if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I would be telling the truth, but I refrain from this so that no one may regard me beyond what he sees in me or what he hears from me,
• 2 Timothy 1:12Because of this, in fact, I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, because I know the one in whom my faith is set and I am convinced that he is able to protect what has been entrusted to me 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