2 Corinthians 10:7-11
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
7 Look[a] at what is before your eyes. If you are confident that you belong to Christ, remind yourself of this, that just as you belong to Christ, so also do we.(A) 8 Now, even if I boast a little too much of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of it.(B) 9 I do not want to seem as though I am trying to frighten you with my letters. 10 For someone says,[b] “His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak and his speech contemptible.”(C) 11 Let such a person understand that what we say by letter when absent we will also do when present.
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2 Corinthians 10:7-11
New English Translation
7 You are looking at outward appearances.[a] If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should reflect on this again: Just as he himself belongs to Christ, so too do we. 8 For if I boast somewhat more about our authority that the Lord gave us[b] for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of doing so.[c] 9 I do not want to seem as though I am trying to terrify you with my letters, 10 because some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but his physical presence is weak[d] and his speech is of no account.”[e] 11 Let such a person consider this: What we say[f] by letters when we are absent, we also are in actions when we are present.
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- 2 Corinthians 10:7 tn The phrase is close to a recognized idiom for judging based on outward appearances (L&N 30.120). Some translators see a distinction, however, and translate 2 Cor 10:7a as “Look at what is in front of your eyes,” that is, the obvious facts of the case (so NRSV).
- 2 Corinthians 10:8 tn The word “us” is not in the Greek text but is supplied. Indirect objects in Greek were often omitted when clear from the context, and must be supplied for the modern English reader.
- 2 Corinthians 10:8 tn Grk “I will not be put to shame,” “I will not be ashamed.” The words “of doing so” are supplied to clarify for the reader that Paul will not be ashamed of boasting somewhat more about the authority the Lord gave him (beginning of v. 8).
- 2 Corinthians 10:10 tn Or “unimpressive.”
- 2 Corinthians 10:10 tn Or “is contemptible”; Grk “is despised.”
- 2 Corinthians 10:11 tn Grk “what we are in word.”
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