2 Corinthians 10:14 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For we are not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach you. For we were the first to come all the way to you with the gospel of Christ.

NIV: We are not going too far in our boasting, as would be the case if we had not come to you, for we did get as far as you with the gospel of Christ.

NASB: For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we did not reach to you, for we were the first to come even as far as you in the gospel of Christ;

CSB: For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we had not reached you, since we have come to you with the gospel of Christ.

NLT: We are not reaching beyond these boundaries when we claim authority over you, as if we had never visited you. For we were the first to travel all the way to Corinth with the Good News of Christ.

KJV: For 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:

NKJV: For we are not overextending ourselves (as though our authority did not extend to you), for it was to you that we came with the gospel of Christ;

Because his speech is not as impressive as his writing, Paul's critics among the Corinthians have suggested that believers need not worry what Paul may say or do when he arrives. False teachers point to themselves and other polished presenters as more qualified than Paul; such orators are much more successful according to the tastes of the surrounding culture.

Paul has answered that he refused to even participate in the competition they are describing (2 Corinthians 10:13). That pointless exercise involves people comparing themselves to each other, to figure out who is best. Paul does not need to play that game. God has already given him a completely different mission: to reach the Corinthians with the gospel of Christ.

Now Paul adds that he has already succeeded in what God gave him to do. He reached the Corinthians with the good news of salvation through faith in Christ. He does not need to "overextend" himself to try to be successful according to some worldly standard. In other words, he doesn't need to compete. He doesn't need to be the most impressive speaker, nor make the most entertaining arguments in order to win them away from other teachers. He already reached them, and they had already believed. Why would he go back and try to outperform his opponents to get the Corinthians to believe in Christ if they already believed?

Second Corinthians 10:1–18 contains Paul's response to charges against him from critics in Corinth. They claim that though his letters are potent, he is pathetic in person. Paul does not argue either point. However, he issues a stern warning: that he will arrive prepared for boldness in Christ in punishing every disobedience. He describes the conflict with the false apostles as a spiritual war. He and his associates plan to win that battle by capturing the thoughts of the Corinthians again so they will obey Christ. He will not boast to defend himself except in the Lord.

Critics and other opponents in Corinth argue that though Paul's letters are strong and weighty, he is unimpressive in person. In response, Paul warns the Corinthians not to make him show how bold he can be when he arrives. Paul and his partners fight for the truth about God and the gospel. They battle using spiritual weapons that destroy false arguments. He won't trade boasts with the false apostles, but will only boast in the Lord, who approves of him. The Corinthians should know that—they came to Christ as a result of Paul's ministry to them as an apostle.

Second Corinthians 10 continues the pattern of Paul's letter, as he deals with one topic after another in an orderly way. After concluding his comments about the contribution to the Christians in Jerusalem, Paul tackles a personal charge against him: that he is too unimpressive in person to be a true apostle of Christ. He insists he will follow through on the strong words in his letters when he comes to see them. He is fighting a spiritual war for the minds of the Corinthians and their obedience to Christ and will not stoop to the blatant self-promotion of the false apostles. This counter of false teachers continue into chapter 11.

Second Corinthians returns to similar themes as those Paul mentioned in his first letter to this church. Paul is glad to hear that the church in Corinth has heeded his advice. At the same time, it is necessary for Paul to counter criticisms about his personality and legitimacy. Most of this text involves that subject. The fifth chapter, in contrast, contains comforting words which Christians have quoted often in times of hardship. Paul also details his expectations that the church in Corinth will make good on their promise to contribute to the needs of suffering believers in Jerusalem.