2 Corinthians 10:2 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Paul hopes he will not need to use boldness in person against those who accuse him of acting by mere human, worldly motives.
What Does 2 Corinthians 10:2 Mean?
Paul continues his appeal. He would rather come in gentleness than be forced to act firmly when he arrives. Certain critics charged that he lived and ministered 'according to the flesh,' driven by ordinary human calculation instead of the Spirit of God.
He answers the slander by hoping he will not have to confront it face to face. There is pastoral patience here: Paul holds his authority in reserve, longing to win rather than to overpower. Yet he makes plain he is ready to be bold if love requires it. A faithful shepherd prefers mercy but will not let error go unchallenged.
2 Corinthians 10:2 in the Original Language
sarx (σάρξ), 'flesh' -- here human nature acting on its own, apart from the leading of God's Spirit.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Corinthians 10:2
What does 2 Corinthians 10:2 mean?
Paul hopes he will not need to use boldness in person against those who accuse him of acting by mere human, worldly motives.