2 Corinthians 10

King James Version

Full text for 2 Corinthians Chapter 10

1¶ Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence [am] base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:

2But 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.

3For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

4(For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

5Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

6And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

7¶ Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he [is] Christ's, even so [are] we Christ's.

8For 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:

9That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.

10For [his] letters, say they, [are] weighty and powerful; but [his] bodily presence [is] weak, and [his] speech contemptible.

11Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such [will we be] also in deed when we are present.

12¶ For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

13But we will not boast of things without [our] measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.

14For we stretch not ourselves beyond [our measure], as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in [preaching] the gospel of Christ:

15Not boasting of things without [our] measure, [that is], of other men's labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,

16To preach the gospel in the [regions] beyond you, [and] not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand.

17But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

18For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Paul defends his apostolic authority against critics who accuse him of being bold only when absent, asserting that his spiritual warfare uses divine weapons to pull down strongholds and bring every thought into obedience to Christ. He clarifies that his authority is for edification, not destruction, and that his actions in person will match his powerful letters. Paul refuses to compare himself with those who self-commend, concluding that true glorying is in the Lord, who alone gives approval.

Medium Summary

Paul begins by appealing to the Corinthians with the meekness of Christ, addressing accusations that he is timid in person but bold in letters. He explains that while he walks in the flesh, his warfare is spiritual, employing divine weapons to dismantle strongholds, vain imaginations, and bring every thought captive to Christ's obedience. Paul asserts his apostolic authority, given for edification, not destruction, and refutes those who judge by outward appearance, claiming his letters are powerful but his presence weak. He warns that his actions when present will align with his written words. Paul refuses to compare himself with those who self-commend, deeming them unwise, and emphasizes that his boasting is within the measure of the gospel work God has assigned him, which extends to Corinth. His hope is to expand the gospel further, not boasting in others' labors, for ultimately, glorying should be in the Lord, as divine approval comes from God, not from self-praise.

Long Summary

Paul opens by beseeching the Corinthians with the meekness and gentleness of Christ, directly addressing the perception that he is timid in person but audacious when absent. He expresses a desire not to be forced into a display of boldness against those who accuse him of walking according to the flesh. Paul then elaborates on the nature of his ministry's conflict, stating that although he lives in the physical world, his methods of warfare are not worldly or carnal. He emphasizes that the weapons of their spiritual warfare are mighty through God, designed for the demolition of spiritual strongholds. These divine instruments are used to cast down human imaginations and every lofty idea that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. Furthermore, their aim is to bring every thought into complete captivity and obedience to Christ. Paul also declares a readiness to punish all disobedience once the Corinthians' own obedience is fully established. He challenges those who judge by outward appearance, asserting that if anyone claims to belong to Christ, Paul equally belongs to Christ. He affirms his God-given authority, clarifying that it is for the spiritual building up of believers, not for their destruction, and seeks to avoid the impression of terrifying them through his letters. Acknowledging his critics who disparage his physical presence and speech while admitting his letters are weighty, Paul warns that his actions when present will be consistent with his powerful written words. He explicitly states that he does not dare to number or compare himself with those who self-commend, considering their self-measurement unwise. Instead, Paul insists on boasting only within the divinely appointed measure of his apostolic sphere, which encompasses the Corinthians. He clarifies that he does not overextend his authority, having indeed brought the gospel to them, nor does he boast in the labors of others. His hope is that as their faith grows, his ministry will be abundantly enlarged according to his divine rule, enabling him to preach the gospel in regions beyond Corinth. The chapter concludes with the profound principle that true glorying should be in the Lord, for it is not self-commendation but the Lord's commendation that brings approval.

Core Concepts

  • Spiritual WarfarePaul describes the Christian struggle as a spiritual conflict, not a carnal one, where divine weapons are used to demolish strongholds, cast down imaginations, and bring thoughts into obedience to Christ.
  • Apostolic AuthorityPaul defends his God-given authority, asserting it is for edification rather than destruction, and that his actions will match his powerful written words, despite critics who judge his physical presence as weak.
  • Humility and MeeknessPaul begins by appealing to the Corinthians through the meekness and gentleness of Christ, contrasting this with the bold confidence he might use against his accusers.
  • Judging by Outward AppearanceThe chapter addresses the error of judging individuals based on their physical presence or perceived weakness, emphasizing that true spiritual authority and belonging to Christ are not determined by outward show.
  • Measure of MinistryPaul emphasizes that his ministry operates within a divinely distributed "measure" or sphere of influence, refusing to boast beyond his assigned boundaries or in other men's labors.
  • Boasting in the LordPaul concludes by stating that true glorying should be in the Lord, not in oneself or one's own achievements, as divine approval comes from God's commendation.