Add parallel Print Page Options

10 And I myself Paul beseech you, by the mildness and softness of Christ[a], which in the face am meek among you, and I absent trust in you.

For I pray you, that lest I present be not bold by the trust, in which I am guessed to be bold into some, that deem us, as if we wander after the flesh.[b]

For we walking in the flesh, fight not after the flesh.

For the arms of our knighthood be not fleshly, but mighty by God to the destruction of strengths [to the destruction of wardings, or strengths].

And we destroy counsels, and all highness that higheth itself against the science of God, and drive into captivity all understanding into the service of Christ.[c]

And we have ready to venge all unobedience, when your obedience shall be filled. [Also having in readiness to venge all unobedience, when your obedience shall be fulfilled.]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 10:1 Forsooth I Paul beseech you, by the gentleness, or mildness, and softness, or patience, of Christ
  2. 2 Corinthians 10:2 Forsooth, I pray you, that I present be not hardy by that trust, in which I am guessed to be hardy into some, which deem us, as (if) we wandered after the flesh.
  3. 2 Corinthians 10:5 Destroying counsels, and all highness raising itself against the science of God, and driving into captivity all understanding into the service of Christ.

He refers to the false apostles, and defends his authority and calling.

10 I Paul myself beseech you, by the meekness and softness of Christ – I who when I am present among you am of no reputation, but am bold toward you when absent. I beseech you so that I need not to be bold when I am present (with that same confidence that I am supposed to be bold with) toward some who consider us as though we walked carnally. Nevertheless, though we walk encompassed with the flesh, we do not war after the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal things, but things mighty in God to cast down strongholds, with which we overthrow imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bring into captivity all understanding to the obedience of Christ, and are ready to take vengeance on all disobedience, when your obedience might come to an end.

Read full chapter

10 2 He showeth with what confidence, 4 with what weapons, 6 and with what revenge he is armed against the cavillations of the wicked,  7 and that, when he is present, his deeds have no less power, 11 than his words have force when he is absent. 

Now [a]I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness, and [b]gentleness of Christ, which when I am present among you am base, but am bold toward you being absent:

And this I require you, that I need not to be bold when I am present, with that same confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which esteem us as though we walked [c]according to the flesh.

[d]Nevertheless, though we walk in the flesh, yet we do not war after the flesh.

(For the weapons of our warfare are not [e]carnal, but mighty through [f]God, to cast down holds.)

Casting down the imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, [g]and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ,

And having ready the vengeance against all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 10:1 He returneth to the defense of his Apostleship, but so that he useth this authority therein: for he warneth them earnestly and gravely, using also terrible threatenings to show themselves such as are apt to be instructed. And he refelleth certain proud men which made no better accompt of him, than of a bragging Thraso, in that he used to be sharp against them when he was absent, because they saw no great majesty in him after the manner of men, and besides, had proved his lenity, notwithstanding that in his absence, he had written to them sharply. Therefore first of all he professeth that he was gentle and moderate, but after the example of Christ: but if they continue, still to despise his gentleness, he protesteth unto them that he will show indeed how far they are deceived, which make that accompt of the office of an Apostle, that they do of worldly offices, that is, according to the outward appearance.
  2. 2 Corinthians 10:1 That nature which is inclined to mercy, rather than to rigor of justice.
  3. 2 Corinthians 10:2 As though I had no other aid and help than that which outwardly I seem to have: and therefore Paul setteth his flesh, that is, his weak condition and state, against his spiritual and Apostolic dignity.
  4. 2 Corinthians 10:3 Secondly he witnesseth, that although he be like unto other men, yet he cometh furnished with that strength, which no holds of man can match, whether they resist by craft and deceit, or by force and might, because he warrioreth with divine weapons.
  5. 2 Corinthians 10:4 Are not such as men get them authority withall one of another, and do great acts.
  6. 2 Corinthians 10:4 Stand upon that infinite power of God.
  7. 2 Corinthians 10:5 An amplification of this spiritual virtue, which in such sort conquereth the enemies be they never so crafty and mighty, that it bringeth some of them by repentance unto Christ, and justly revengeth others, that are stubbornly obstinate, separating them from the others which suffer themselves to be ruled.

10 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: 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. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; and having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

Read full chapter