I beg you that when I come I may not need to be as bold as I expect toward those who presume that we live according to the flesh.
Parallel translations
- WEB Yes, I beg you that I may not, when present, show courage with the confidence with which I intend to be bold against some, who consider us to be walking according to the flesh.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul pleads that he won't have to be severe when present against those who accuse him of living by worldly standards. He hopes for repentance rather than confrontation.
Overview
Paul prefers gentleness but is prepared to act boldly against opponents who allege he 'walks according to the flesh.' He would rather not exercise such severity. His words reveal a pastor's heart that longs for the church's correction without harshness, yet will not shrink from confronting error if needed.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- 2 Cor 13:10This is why I write these things while absent, so that when I am present I will not need to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.
- 2 Cor 13:2I already warned you the second time I was with you. So now in my absence I warn those who sinned earlier and everyone else: If I return, I will not spare anyone,
- Gal 5:16–25So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
- Eph 2:2–3in which you used to walk when you conformed to the ways of this world and of the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit who is now at work in the sons of disobedience.
- 2 Cor 12:13–20In what way were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
- 1 Cor 4:18–21Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you.
- 2 Cor 11:9–13And when I was with you and in need, I was not a burden to anyone; for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my needs. I have refrained from being a burden to you in any way, and I will continue to do so.
- Rom 8:1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
- Rom 8:5Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh; but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
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Christ at the center
In Christ all God's promises are 'Yes and Amen'; though rich, he became poor to make us rich, and in him God reconciles the world, making us new creations.
How 2 Corinthians 10:2 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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