2 Corinthians 10:9

2 Corinthians 10:9 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.
• English Standard Version (ESV)I do not want to appear to be frightening you with my letters.
• New King James Version (NKJV)lest I seem to terrify you by letters.
• New Living Translation (NLT)I’m not trying to frighten you by my letters.

Context of 2 Corinthians 10:9

7You are judging by appearances. If anyone is confident that they belong to Christ, they should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as they do. 8So 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. I do not want to seem to be trying to frighten you with my letters. 10For some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing.” 11Such people should realize that what we are in our letters when we are absent, we will be in our actions when we are present.

2 Corinthians 10:9 word by word

ἵνα μὴ δόξω ὡς ἂν ἐκφοβεῖν ὑμᾶς διὰ τῶν ἐπιστολῶν.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• I mayδοκέωdokeō · to thinkG1380
• notμήmē · notG3361
• asὡςhōs · as/whenG5613
• ifἄνan · ifG302
• I would terrifyἐκφοβέωekphobeō · to terrifyG1629
• youσύsu · youG4771
• byδιάdia · through/because ofG1223
• lettersὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• lettersἐπιστολήepistolē · epistleG1992

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 10:9

• 2 Corinthians 10:10For some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing.”
• 1 Corinthians 4:5Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 10:9

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 9That I may not seem, etc. - This is an elliptical sentence, and may be supplied thus: "I have not used this authority; nor will I add any more concerning this part of the subject, lest I should seem, as my adversary has insinuated, to wish to terrify you by my letters.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 9That I may not seem … - The meaning of this verse seems to be this. “I say that I might boast more of my power in order that I may not appear disposed to terrify you with my letters merely. I do not threaten more than I can perform. I have it in my power to execute all that I have threatened, and to strike an awe not only by my letters, but by the infliction of extraordinary miraculous punishments. And if I should boast that I had done this, and could do…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. 99. I say this lest I should seem to be terrifying you, as children, with empty threats [Bengel]. Estius explains, "I might boast more of my authority, but I forbear to do so, that I may not seem as if," &c. But this ellipsis is harsh: and 2Co 10:10, 11 confirm Bengel's view.Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Corinthians 10:9

• Church

In the dictionaries

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