2 Corinthians 13:10 Meaning and Explanation
“Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Paul writes ahead so that his visit need not be severe, since the authority Christ gave him is meant to build up, not tear down.
What Does 2 Corinthians 13:10 Mean?
Paul explains why he writes such words from a distance: he hopes the letter will do its work so that, when he comes, he need not be sharp. The authority the Lord entrusted to him is for building people up, not pulling them down.
Here is the right end of all spiritual authority. Power in the church is never given for crushing but for constructing, never for harming but for healing. Paul would rather a hard letter now spare a painful visit later, because his aim is always restoration. The Lord who corrects His children does so to edify, and every leader who shares His authority must share His purpose: to build, to mend, to lift toward life.
2 Corinthians 13:10 in the Original Language
oikodome (οἰκοδομή), 'edification' -- the act of building up, as one raises a house, applied to strengthening God's people.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Corinthians 13:10
What does 2 Corinthians 13:10 mean?
Paul writes ahead so that his visit need not be severe, since the authority Christ gave him is meant to build up, not tear down.