2CO 10

2 Corinthians 10:8

WEB

For even if I boast somewhat abundantly concerning our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for casting you down, I will not be ashamed,

BSB

For even if I boast somewhat excessively about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed.

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:

Matthew Henry

Verses 7–11

2 Corinthians 10:7–11

In these verses the apostle proceeds to reason the case with the Corinthians, in opposition to those who despised him, judged him, and spoke hardly of him: "Do you," says he, "look on things after the outward appearance? Co2 10:7. Is this a fit measure or rule to make an estimate of things or persons by, and to judge between me and my adversaries?" In outward appearance, Paul was mean and despicable with some; he did not make a figure, as perhaps some of his competitors might do: but this was a false rule to make a judgment by. It should seem that some boasted mighty things of themselves, and made a fair show. But there are often false appearances. A man may seem to be learned who has not learned Christ, and appear virtuous when he has not a principle of grace in his heart. However, the apostle asserts two things of himself: -

I. His relation to Christ: If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's, Co2 10:7. It would seem by this that Paul's adversaries boasted of their relation to Christ as his ministers and servants. Now the apostle reasons thus with the Corinthians: "Suppose it to be so, allowing what they say to be true (and let us observe that, in fair arguing, we should allow all that may be reasonably granted, and should not think it impossible but those who differ from us very much may yet belong to Christ, as well as we), allowing them," might the apostle say, "what they boast of, yet they ought also to allow this to us, that we also are Christ's." Note, 1. We must not, by the most charitable allowances we make to others who differ from us, cut ourselves off from Christ, nor deny our relation to him. For, 2. There is room in Christ for many; and those who differ much from one another may yet be one in him. It would help to heal the differences that are among us if we would remember that, how confident soever we may be that we belong to Christ, yet, at the same time, we must allow that those who differ from us may belong to Christ too, and therefore should be treated accordingly. We must not think that we are the people, and that none belong to Christ but ourselves. This we may plead for ourselves, against those who judge us and despise us that, how weak soever we are, yet, as they are Christ's, so are we: we profess the same faith, we walk by the same rule, we build upon the same foundation, and hope for the same inheritance.

II. His authority from Christ as an apostle. This he had mentioned before (Co2 10:6), and now he tells them that he might speak of it again, and that with some sort of boasting, seeing it was a truth, that the Lord had given it to him, and it was more than his adversaries could justly pretend to. It was certainly what he should not be ashamed of, Co2 10:8. Concerning this observe, 1. The nature of his authority: it was for edification, and not for destruction. This indeed is the end of all authority, civil and ecclesiastical, and was the end of that extraordinary authority which the apostles had, and of all church-discipline. 2. The caution with which he speaks of his authority, professing that his design was not to terrify them with big words, nor by angry letters, Co2 10:9. Thus he seems to obviate an objection that might have been formed against him, Co2 10:10. But the apostle declares he did not intend to frighten those who were obedient, nor did he write any thing in his letters that he was not able to make good by deeds against the disobedient; and he would have his adversaries know this (Co2 10:11), that he would, by the exercise of his apostolical power committed to him, make it appear to have a real efficacy.

Cross-references: 2Cor 10:7 · 2Cor 10:6 · 2Cor 10:8 · 2Cor 10:9 · 2Cor 10:10 · 2Cor 10:11

Greek interlinear

G1437

ἐάνeán/eh-an'/

before, but, except, (and) if, (if) so, (what-, whither-)soever, though, when (-soever), whether (or), to whom, (who-)so(-ever)

Derivation: from G1487 and G302;

a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty

KJV: before, but, except, (and) if, (if) so, (what-, whither-)soever, though, when (-soever), whether (or), to whom, (who-)so(-ever).

See G3361.

See also: G1487, G302, G3361.

G5037

τέ/teh/

also, and, both, even, then, whether

Derivation: a primary particle (enclitic) of connection or addition;

both or also (properly, as correlation of G2532)

KJV: also, and, both, even, then, whether.

Often used in composition, usually as the latter participle.

See also: G2532.

G1063

γάρgár/gar/

and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet

Derivation: a primary particle;

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

KJV: and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.

G4055

περισσότεροςperissóteros/per-is-sot'-er-os/

more abundant, greater (much) more, overmuch

Derivation: comparative of G4053;

more superabundant (in number, degree or character)

KJV: more abundant, greater (much) more, overmuch.

See also: G4053.

G5100

τὶςtìs/tis/

a (kind of), any (man, thing, thing at all), certain (thing), divers, he (every) man, one (X thing), ought, + partly, some (man, -body, - thing, -what), (+ that no-)thing, what(-soever), X wherewith, whom(-soever), whose(-soever)

Derivation: an enclitic indefinite pronoun;

some or any person or object

KJV: a (kind of), any (man, thing, thing at all), certain (thing), divers, he (every) man, one (X thing), ought, + partly, some (man, -body, - thing, -what), (+ that no-)thing, what(-soever), X wherewith, whom(-soever), whose(-soever).

G2744

καυχάομαιkaucháomai/kow-khah'-om-ahee/

(make) boast, glory, joy, rejoice

Derivation: from some (obsolete) base akin to that of αὐχέω (to boast) and G2172;

to vaunt (in a good or a bad sense)

KJV: (make) boast, glory, joy, rejoice.

See also: G2172.

G4012

περίperí/per-ee'/

(there-)about, above, against, at, on behalf of, X and his company, which concern, (as) concerning, for, X how it will go with, ((there-, where-)) of, on, over, pertaining (to), for sake, X (e-)state, (as) touching, (where-)by (in), with

Derivation: from the base of G4008;

properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive case denoting the subject or occasion or superlative point; with the accusative case the locality, circuit, matter, circumstance or general period)

KJV: (there-)about, above, against, at, on behalf of, X and his company, which concern, (as) concerning, for, X how it will go with, ((there-, where-)) of, on, over, pertaining (to), for sake, X (e-)state, (as) touching, (where-)by (in), with.

In comparative, it retains substantially the same meaning of circuit (around), excess (beyond), or completeness (through).

See also: G4008.

G3588

ho/ho/

the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc

, including the feminine , and the neuter τό in all their inflections;

Derivation: the definite article;

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)

KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.

G1849

ἐξουσίαexousía/ex-oo-see'-ah/

authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength

Derivation: from G1832 (in the sense of ability);

privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence

KJV: authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.

See also: G1832.

G1473

ἐγώegṓ/eg-o'/

I, me

Derivation: a primary pronoun of the first person I (only expressed when emphatic)

KJV: I, me.

For the other cases and the plural see G1691, G1698, G1700, G2248, G2249, G2254, G2257, etc.

See also: G1691, G1698, G1700, G2248, G2249, G2254, G2257.

G3739

ὅςhós/hos/

one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc

, including feminine , and neuter

Derivation: probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article G3588);

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

KJV: one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc.

See also G3757.

See also: G3588, G3757.

G1325

δίδωμιdídōmi/did'-o-mee/

adventure, bestow, bring forth, commit, deliver (up), give, grant, hinder, make, minister, number, offer, have power, put, receive, set, shew, smite (+ with the hand), strike (+ with the palm of the hand), suffer, take, utter, yield

Derivation: a prolonged form of a primary verb (which is used as an alternative in most of the tenses);

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

KJV: adventure, bestow, bring forth, commit, deliver (up), give, grant, hinder, make, minister, number, offer, have power, put, receive, set, shew, smite (+ with the hand), strike (+ with the palm of the hand), suffer, take, utter, yield.

G2962

κύριοςkýrios/koo'-ree-os/

God, Lord, master, Sir

Derivation: from κῦρος (supremacy);

supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title)

KJV: God, Lord, master, Sir.

G1519

εἰςeis/ice/

(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with

Derivation: a primary preposition;

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

KJV: (abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with.

Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).

G3619

οἰκοδομήoikodomḗ/oy-kod-om-ay'/

building, edify(-ication, -ing)

Derivation: feminine (abstract) of a compound of G3624 and the base of G1430;

architecture, i.e. (concretely) a structure; figuratively, confirmation

KJV: building, edify(-ication, -ing).

See also: G3624, G1430.

G2532

καίkaí/kahee/

and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet

Derivation: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force;

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.

G3756

οὐou/oo/

+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but

, also (before a vowel) οὐκ , and (before an aspirate) οὐχ

Derivation: a primary word;

the absolute negative (compare G3361) adverb; no or not

KJV: + long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but.

See also G3364, G3372.

See also: G3361, G3364, G3372.

G2506

καθαίρεσιςkathaíresis/kath-ah'-ee-res-is/

destruction, pulling down

Derivation: from G2507;

demolition; figuratively, extinction

KJV: destruction, pulling down.

See also: G2507.

G4771

σύ/soo/

thou

Derivation: the personal pronoun of the second person singular;

thou

KJV: thou.

See also G4571, G4671, G4675; and for the plural G5209, G5210, G5213, G5216.

See also: G4675, G4571, G4671, G5209, G5210, G5213, G5216.

G153

αἰσχύνομαιaischýnomai/ahee-skhoo'-nom-ahee/

be ashamed

Derivation: from αἶσχος (disfigurement, i.e. disgrace);

to feel shame (for oneself)

KJV: be ashamed.

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