2 Corinthians 10:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: I do not want to appear to be frightening you with my letters.

NIV: I do not want to seem to be trying to frighten you with my letters.

NASB: for I do not want to seem as if I would terrify you by my letters.

CSB: I don’t want to seem as though I am trying to terrify you with my letters.

NLT: I’m not trying to frighten you by my letters.

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

NKJV: lest I seem to terrify you by letters.

Paul has been defending himself from a charge by some in Corinth. False teachers, people bitter about being called out for sin, and competing leaders have claimed Paul is an unimpressive speaker in person, though he is bold and strong in his letters to them.

The ability to speak with eloquence and good arguments was highly valued in Greek culture. Believers in Corinth would have grown up hearing some of the best traveling speakers in their society, making presentations on all kinds of philosophical topics. Paul, apparently, was much less polished and impressive as a speaker, when compared with the secular presenters of the day. He does not argue against the charge in the following verse that "his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account."

Instead he says here that the point of his "bold" letters is not to frighten his readers. Most likely, what Paul implies is that he is not bluffing: these are not empty threats. His words are warnings he will follow through when he is with them in person. They should believe he will back up his written words when he shows up among them. Paul will go on to say that the impressiveness of his speaking is less important than what he actually does when he is with them.

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.