That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.
Parallel translations
- WEB that I may not seem as if I desire to terrify you by my letters.
- BSB I do not want to seem to be trying to frighten you by my letters.
- NKJV lest I seem to terrify you by letters.
- NASB for I do not want to seem as if I would terrify you by my letters.
- NLT I’m not trying to frighten you by my letters.
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 clarifies that he does not write his letters merely to frighten the Corinthians. His firm words aim at correction, not intimidation.
Overview
Anticipating the charge that his letters are mere bluster, Paul explains that he has no wish to terrify them. His written rebukes serve a pastoral purpose. This guards against the misreading of his boldness as empty threat, showing that his correction springs from love and genuine authority.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 3
- 1 Cor 4:19–21But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.
- 1 Cor 4:5Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
- 2 Cor 10:10For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.
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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 10:9 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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