2 Corinthians 10:9

That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.

2 Corinthians 10:9, King James Version

2 Corinthians 10:9 in other translations

BSB	I do not want to seem to be trying to frighten you by my letters.
WEB	that I may not seem as if I desire to terrify you by my letters.
ASV	that I may not seem as if I would terrify you by my letters.
YLT	that I may not seem as if I would terrify you through the letters,
DARBY	that I may not seem as if I was frightening you by letters:
BBE	That I may not seem to have the desire of causing you fear by my letters.
Webster	That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.

What does 2 Corinthians 10:9 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

9. I say this lest I should seem to be terrifying you, as children, with empty threats [Bengel]. Estius explains, "I might boast more of my authority, but I forbear to do so, that I may not seem as if," &c. But this ellipsis is harsh: and 2Co 10:10, 11 confirm Bengel's view.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 9. That I may not seem, etc. The meaning of this verse seems to be this: "I say that I might boast more of my power in order that I may not appear disposed to terrify you with my letters merely. I do not threaten more than I can perform. I have it in my power to execute all that I have threatened,, and to strike an awe not only by my letters, but by the infliction of extraordinary miraculous punishments. And if I should boast that I had done this, and could do it again, I should have no reason to be ashamed. It would not be vain empty boasting; not boasting which is not well-founded."

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 9 That I may not seem, etc. - This is an elliptical sentence, and may be supplied thus: "I have not used this authority; nor will I add any more concerning this part of the subject, lest I should seem, as my adversary has insinuated, to wish to terrify you by my letters.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Corinthians 10:7-11

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.

Read the full comment on 2 Corinthians 10:7-11 →

2 Corinthians 10:9 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἵναinathatG2443

μὴmēnotG3361

δόξωdoxō[I] may seemG1380

ὡςhōsasG5613

ἂνanifG302

ἐκφοβεῖνekphobeinto frightenG1629

ὑμᾶςhumasyouG4771

διὰdiathroughG1223

τῶνtōntheG3588

ἐπιστολῶν.epistolōnletters.G1992

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 2 Corinthians 10:9

1 Corinthians 4:19-21
But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?
2 Corinthians 10:10
For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.
1 Corinthians 4:5
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

terrify.
10; 1Co 4:5,19-21

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

2 Corinthians 10:8
For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:
2 Corinthians 10:9
That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.
2 Corinthians 10:10
For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.

Read all of 2 Corinthians 10

2 Corinthians 10:9 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Porque no parezca como que os quiero espantar por cartas.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	– afin que je ne paraisse pas comme si je vous effrayais par mes lettres.
German Elberfelder 1871	auf daß ich nicht scheine, als wolle ich euch durch die Briefe schrecken.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Ut autem non existimer tamquam terrere vos per epistolas: