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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)Well, I am begging you now so that when I come I won’t have to be bold with those who think we act from human motives.

Context of 2 Corinthians 10:2

1By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away! 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. 3For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

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 12:20For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.
• 2 Corinthians 13:2I already gave you a warning when I was with you the second time. I now repeat it while absent: On my return I will not spare those who sinned earlier or any of the others,
• 1 Corinthians 4:19But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have.
• 2 Corinthians 11:9And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so.
• 2 Corinthians 12:13How were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was never a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
• Romans 8:1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
• Galatians 5:16So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
• Ephesians 2:2in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.

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