For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh.
Parallel translations
- WEB For though we walk in the flesh, we don’t wage war according to the flesh;
- KJV For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
- NKJV For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.
- NASB For though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage battle according to the flesh,
- NLT We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do.
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
Though Paul lives as a human being, he does not fight his spiritual battles using worldly methods. His warfare operates on a different plane.
Overview
Paul concedes that he is an ordinary man 'in the flesh,' but insists his ministry does not rely on fleshly weapons such as manipulation, eloquence for its own sake, or human power. The Christian's struggle is spiritual, waged by means God provides, not by the tactics of the world.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- 2 Cor 10:4The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
- Gal 2:20I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
- 1 Pet 4:1–2Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourselves with the same resolve, because anyone who has suffered in his body is done with sin.
- Rom 8:13For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
- 2 Tim 2:3–4Join me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
- 1 Tim 1:18Timothy, my child, I entrust you with this command in keeping with the previous prophecies about you, so that by them you may fight the good fight,
- 2 Tim 4:7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
- Heb 12:1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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 10:3 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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.