2 Corinthians 10:9 Meaning and Explanation
“That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Paul clarifies that his bold letters are not meant to frighten or intimidate the Corinthians.
What Does 2 Corinthians 10:9 Mean?
This short verse continues the thought. Paul does not want his strong words to be misread as an attempt to terrify the church from a distance. His critics had painted him as a man who blusters on paper but cannot match it in person.
He answers that fear was never his aim. The forceful letters flowed from love and concern, not from a desire to dominate. There is a tender honesty here: Paul cares how his words land, and he refuses to let his authority be mistaken for a weapon of intimidation. The shepherd's voice may be firm, but it is meant to gather the flock, never to scatter it in dread.
2 Corinthians 10:9 in the Original Language
ekphobeo (ἐκφοβέω), 'terrify' -- to thoroughly frighten or strike with alarm.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Corinthians 10:9
What does 2 Corinthians 10:9 mean?
Paul clarifies that his bold letters are not meant to frighten or intimidate the Corinthians.