2 Corinthians 13 · Verse 10

2 Corinthians 13:10

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.

2 Corinthians 13:10, King James Version

2 Corinthians 13:10 in other translations

BSB	This is why I write these things while absent, so that when I am present I will not need to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.
WEB	For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not deal sharply when present, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.
ASV	For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not when present deal sharply, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for casting down.
YLT	because of this, these things--being absent--I write, that being present, I may not treat any sharply, according to the authority that the Lord did give me for building up, and not for casting down.
DARBY	On this account I write these things being absent, that being present I may not use severity according to the authority which the Lord has given me for building up, and not for overthrowing.
BBE	For this cause I am writing these things while I am away, so that there may be need for me, when I am present, to make use of sharp measures, by the authority which the Lord has given me for building up and not for destruction.
Webster	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.

What does 2 Corinthians 13:10 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

10. Therefore--because I wish the "sharpness" to be in my letters rather than in deeds [Chrysostom]. edification ... not to destruction--for building up ... not for casting down. To "use sharpness" would seem to be casting down, rather than building up; therefore he prefers not to have to use it.

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

Barnes' Notes

Verse 10. Therefore I write these things, etc. This is a kind of apology for what he had said, and especially for the apparently harsh language which he had felt himself constrained to use. He had reproved them; he had admonished them of their faults; he had threatened punishment, all of which was designed to prevent the necessity of severe measures when he should be with them.

Lest being present I should use sharpness. In order that when I come may not have occasion to employ severity. See the sentiment explained in 2Cor 10:2.

According to the power, etc. That I may not use the power with which Christ has invested me for maintaining discipline in his church. The same form of expression is found in 2Cor 10:8. 2Cor 10:8.

(c) "sharpness according" Tit 1:13 (d) "to the power" 2Cor 10:8 (+) "to destruction" "for destruction" (++) "to edification" "for edification"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 10 Therefore I write these things - I only threaten you now, by this epistle, to put you on your guard, and lead you to reformation before I visit you that I may not then have to use sharpness, αποτομια, a cutting off, employing thus my apostolical authority to inflict punishment; a power which God has given me, rather to be employed in your edification than in your destruction.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Corinthians 13:7-10

The most desirable thing we can ask of God, for ourselves and our friends, is to be kept from sin, that we and they may not do evil. We have far more need to pray that we may not do evil, than that we may not suffer evil. The apostle not only desired that they might be kept from sin, but also that they might grow in grace, and increase in holiness. We are earnestly to pray to God for those we caution, that they may…

Read the full comment on 2 Corinthians 13:7-10 →

2 Corinthians 13:10 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.

διὰdiaBecause ofG1223

τοῦτοtoutothereforeG3778

ταῦταtautathese thingsG3778

ἀπὼνapōnbeing absentG548

γράφω,graphōI write,G1125

ἵναinaso thatG2443

παρὼνparōnbeing presentG3918

μὴmēnotG3361

ἀποτόμωςapotomōswith severityG664

χρήσωμαιchrēsōmaiI may treat [you]G5530

κατὰkataaccording toG2596

τὴνtēntheG3588

ἐξουσίανexousianauthorityG1849

ἣνhēnthatG3739

ὁhotheG3588

κύριοςkuriosLordG2962

ἔδωκένedōkenhas givenG1325

μοιmoimeG3165

εἰςeisforG1519

οἰκοδομὴνoikodomēnbuilding upG3619

καὶkaiandG2532

οὐκouknotG3756

εἰςeisforG1519

καθαίρεσιν.¶kathairesintearing down.G2506

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

Cross references for 2 Corinthians 13:10

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 2:3
And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.
Titus 1:13
This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
1 Corinthians 4:21
What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?
2 Corinthians 10:2
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.
2 Corinthians 13:8
For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
2 Corinthians 13:2
I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare:
2 Corinthians 12:20-21
For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

I write.
2:3; 10:2; 12:20,21; 1Co 4:21
lest.
2,8; Tit 1:13
according.
10:8

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

Context

2 Corinthians 13:9
For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.
2 Corinthians 13:10
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.
2 Corinthians 13:11
Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

Read all of 2 Corinthians 13

2 Corinthians 13:10 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Por tanto os escribo esto ausente, por no tratar presente con dureza, conforme á la potestad que el Señor me ha dado para edificación, y no para destrucción.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	C’est pourquoi j’écris ces choses étant absent, afin que, quand je serai présent, je n’use pas de sévérité, selon l’autorité que le Seigneur m’a donnée pour l’édification et non pas pour la destruction.
German Elberfelder 1871	Deswegen schreibe ich dieses abwesend, auf daß ich anwesend nicht Strenge gebrauchen müsse, nach der Gewalt, die der Herr mir gegeben hat zur Auferbauung und nicht zur Zerstörung.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Ideo hæc absens scribo, ut non præsens durius agam secundum potestatem, quam Dominus dedit mihi in ædificationem, et non in destructionem.