2 Corinthians 10:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For even if I boast a little too much of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be ashamed.

NIV: So 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.

NASB: For if I boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be put to shame,

CSB: For if I boast a little too much about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be put to shame.

NLT: I may seem to be boasting too much about the authority given to us by the Lord. But our authority builds you up; it doesn’t tear you down. So I will not be ashamed of using my authority.

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:

NKJV: For even if I should boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord gave us for edification and not for your destruction, I shall not be ashamed—

Outsiders and false teachers are dismissing Paul's authority as an apostle, eroding confidence in the church at Corinth. These critics want to turn the Corinthians away from seeing Paul's teaching as coming directly from Christ. Paul views this challenge as a spiritual war, a battle for the minds of the Corinthians and their obedience to Christ. As always, Scripture is explicitly clear that this "war" is not material or earthly—it has no connection to violence of any kind (John 18:36; 2 Corinthians 10:3–4).

Now Paul reveals another criticism levied by voice in Corinth: that he talks too much about his spiritual authority. Paul does not believe that he boasts too much about this. Instead he says something like, "Even if that were true, I will not be ashamed."

It's undeniable that Paul forcefully claimed his authority as Christ's representative to the Corinthians. Why is that appropriate? First and foremost, it is because Christ truly gave Paul that authority. If Paul did not acknowledge and act on that authority, he would be guilty of disobeying Christ's mission to him.

Second, the spiritual authority Christ gave to Paul over the Corinthians is an authority of Christlike service to them. Paul uses that authority, as Christ would, to build up the Corinthians and not to destroy them. In other words, all his correction and rebukes are for their good. They have never been for their harm, or for Paul's benefit. This is why Paul will never be ashamed of the accusation that he is constantly claiming his role as authority over them in Christ.

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.