BSB
2 Corinthians 10
1Now by the mildness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am humble when face to face with you, but bold when away.
2I 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.
3For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh.
4The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the flesh. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
5We demolish arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
6And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, as soon as your obedience is complete.
7You are looking at outward appearances. If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should remind himself that we belong to Christ just as much as he does.
8For even if I boast somewhat excessively about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed.
9I do not want to seem to be trying to frighten you by my letters.
10For some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but his physical presence is unimpressive, and his speaking is of no account.”
11Such people should consider that what we are in our letters when absent, we will be in our actions when present.
12We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they show their ignorance.
13We, however, will not boast beyond our limits, but only within the field of influence that God has assigned to us—a field that reaches even to you.
14We are not overstepping our bounds, as if we had not come to you. Indeed, we were the first to reach you with the gospel of Christ.
15Neither do we boast beyond our limits in the labors of others. But we hope that as your faith increases, our area of influence among you will greatly increase as well,
16so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. Then we will not be boasting in the work already done in another man’s territory.
17Rather, “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”
18For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
Study This Passage
Key Words and Topics
These study connections are drawn from the internal BSB concordance and topical index imported into Daily Bread Intake.
Key Words in This Passage
Select a word to open the full concordance search.
Related Topics
Anointing your Home 2 Corinthians 10:3–5
For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. / The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. / We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Approval 2 Corinthians 10:18
For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
Arguments 2 Corinthians 10:5
We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Armor: Figurative 2 Corinthians 10:4
The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
Bad Thoughts 2 Corinthians 10:3–5
For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. / The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. / We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Battlefield of the Mind 2 Corinthians 10:3–5
For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. / The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. / We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Being Insecure 2 Corinthians 10:12
We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they show their ignorance.
Being Obedient 2 Corinthians 10:5
We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Blessing: Spiritual, from God 2 Corinthians 10:4
The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
Boasting: Spiritual 2 Corinthians 10:12–18
We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they show their ignorance. / We, however, will not boast beyond our limits, but only within the field of influence that God has assigned to us—a field that reaches even to you. / We are not overstepping our bounds, as if we had not come to you. Indeed, we were the first to reach you with the gospel of Christ.
Boredom 2 Corinthians 10:5
We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Captivity: Figurative 2 Corinthians 10:5
We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Christian Minister: Character and Attributes of 2 Corinthians 10:1, 2, 8
Now by the mildness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am humble when face to face with you, but bold when away. / 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. / For even if I boast somewhat excessively about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed.
Christian Minister: Duties of 2 Corinthians 10:8
For even if I boast somewhat excessively about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed.
Church: Rules of Discipline In, Mosaic and Christian 2 Corinthians 10:1–11
Now by the mildness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am humble when face to face with you, but bold when away. / 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. / For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh.
Companionship 2 Corinthians 10:12
We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they show their ignorance.
Competition 2 Corinthians 10:12
We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they show their ignorance.
Contempt: False Teachers 2 Corinthians 10:10
For some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but his physical presence is unimpressive, and his speaking is of no account.”
Corinth: The Congregation of Alienation of, from Paul 2 Corinthians 10:1
Now by the mildness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am humble when face to face with you, but bold when away.
Defending Our Faith 2 Corinthians 10:5
We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Deliverance Ministry 2 Corinthians 10:3–5
For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. / The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. / We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Discipline of the Church is for Edification 2 Corinthians 10:8
For even if I boast somewhat excessively about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed.
Edification is the Object of Ministerial Authority 2 Corinthians 10:8
For even if I boast somewhat excessively about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed.
Example: Christ, Our 2 Corinthians 10:1
Now by the mildness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am humble when face to face with you, but bold when away.
Select a topic to open the full topical search.
Bible Dictionary
Related Dictionary Terms
Explore people, places, themes, and biblical terms connected to this passage.
Commentary Insights
Study and Reflection
Explore devotional and study commentary connected to this passage.
Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
Pastoral and devotional reflections focused on spiritual formation and application.
2 Corinthians 10:1-6 Verses 1-6
While others thought meanly, and spake scornfully of the apostle, he had low thoughts, and spake humbly of himself. We should be aware of our own infirmities, and think humbly of ourselves, even when men reproach us. The work of the ministry is a spiritual warfare with spiritual enemies, and for spiritual purposes. Outward force is not the method of the gospel, but strong persuasions, by the power of truth and the meekness of wisdom. Conscience is accountable to God only; and people must be persuaded to God and their duty, not driven by force. Thus the weapons of our warfare are very powerful; the evidence of truth is convincing. What opposition is made against the gospel, by the powers of sin and Satan in the hearts of men! But observe the conquest the word of God gains. The appointed means, however feeble they appear to some, will be mighty through God. And the preaching of the cross, by men of faith and prayer, has always been fatal to idolatry, impiety, and wickedness.
2 Corinthians 10:7-11 Verses 7-11
In outward appearance, Paul was mean and despised in the eyes of some, but this was a false rule to judge by. We must not think that none outward appearance, as if the want of such things proved a man not to be a real Christian, or an able, faithful minister of the lowly Saviour.
2 Corinthians 10:12-18 Verses 12-18
If we would compare ourselves with others who excel us, this would be a good method to keep us humble. The apostle fixes a good rule for his conduct; namely, not to boast of things without his measure, which was the measure God had distributed to him. There is not a more fruitful source of error, than to judge of persons and opinions by our own prejudices. How common is it for persons to judge of their own religious character, by the opinions and maxims of the world around them! But how different is the rule of God's word! And of all flattery, self-flattery is the worst. Therefore, instead of praising ourselves, we should strive to approve ourselves to God. In a word, let us glory in the Lord our salvation, and in all other things only as evidences of his love, or means of promoting his glory. Instead of praising ourselves, or seeking the praise of men, let us desire that honour which cometh from God only.