2 Corinthians

Read · 2 Corinthians

2 Corinthians 10

King James Version (1769) · Tap a verse to see it in context

About this chapter

AI-assisted, sourced

Paul, who some say is "base" in presence but "bold" when absent, beseeches them "by the meekness and gentleness of Christ." Though "we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh," for "the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God," bringing "every thought to the obedience of Christ." Answering the charge that "his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible," he refuses to compare himself with those who commend themselves, for "he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord." 2 Corinthians 10:12 Corinthians 10:32 Corinthians 10:42 Corinthians 10:52 Corinthians 10:102 Corinthians 10:122 Corinthians 10:17

Who, where, when, and the key verses

Who

"I Paul myself," answering those who say his letters "are weighty and powerful" but his presence weak. 2 Corinthians 10:12 Corinthians 10:102 Corinthians overview

Where

Paul writes from Macedonia to the church at Corinth and "all the saints which are in all Achaia," the Roman province in southern Greece. 2 Corinthians overview

When

Traditionally about AD 55-57, some months after 1 Corinthians, during Paul's third journey. Scholars agree that Paul wrote it; many think it gathers more than one of his letters to Corinth. 2 Corinthians overview

How it fits

Chapter 9 ended "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift." From here to the end of the letter Paul defends his apostleship; chapter 11 goes on, "Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly." 2 Corinthians 9:152 Corinthians 10:12 Corinthians 11:12 Corinthians overview

Key verses

Takeaway

Fight spiritual battles with God's weapons, bring your thoughts under Christ, and seek the Lord's approval rather than your own praise. 2 Corinthians 10:42 Corinthians 10:52 Corinthians 10:18

Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a separate AI reader. Updated 2026-11-01.

Weapons not carnal

1Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: 2But 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. 3For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

Present and absent

7Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ’s, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ’s, even so are we Christ’s. 8For 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: 9That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters. 10For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. 11Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present.

Glory in the Lord

12For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. 13But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you. 14For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ: 15Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men’s labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly, 16To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s line of things made ready to our hand. 17But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 18For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.