2 Corinthians 10:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: I beg of you that when I am present I may not have to show boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh.

NIV: I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world.

NASB: I ask that when I am present I need not be bold with the confidence with which I intend to be courageous against some, who regard us as if we walked according to the flesh.

CSB: I beg you that when I am present I will not need to be bold with the confidence by which I plan to challenge certain people who think we are living according to the flesh.

NLT: Well, I am begging you now so that when I come I won’t have to be bold with those who think we act from human motives.

KJV: But 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.

NKJV: But I beg you that when I am present I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.

Some critics have said that Paul was bold in his letters, but weak and unconfident when talking face to face. Paul does not deny that he's gentler in person than in writing. However, Paul turns that point into a warning: the Corinthian church doesn't want him to be as strident as he's able when he next sees them in person. He has appealed to them by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, suggesting that what other see as weakness is actually Christlike meekness. Paul is prepared to set that aside to be truly bold with them, if needed, especially with those who have been accusing him of walking according to the flesh.

Based on Paul's earlier commendation of himself and his fellow workers for the gospel, it seems that false teachers among the Corinthians were accusing Paul of being a false apostle. Perhaps they accused him of lack of integrity. Or they suggested he was working only for his own gain. Perhaps they accused him of planning to take some of the collection for the Jerusalem Christians for himself. Paul warns that he will show boldness to those who suspect him or his team of self-serving motives. Or Paul may mean something else by the phrase "walking according to the flesh," as revealed in the following verse.

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.