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.
• New International Version (NIV)I do not want to seem to be trying to frighten you with my 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.

Context of 2 Corinthians 10:9

7Look at what is before your eyes. If anyone is confident in himself that he belongs to Messiah, let him reconsider that just as he belongs to Messiah, so also do we. 8For even if I boast a little more about our authority—which the Lord gave for building you up and not for tearing you down—I will not be put to shame. Not that I would try to terrify you by my letters— 10for they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his presence in person is weak and his speech of no account.” 11Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word through letters when we are absent, we also are in action 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 they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his presence in person is weak and his speech of no account.”
• 1 Corinthians 4:5Therefore do not judge anything before the time—wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light the things hidden in darkness and also make clear the motives of the hearts. Then the praise for each one will come 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