2 Corinthians 13:10

13:10 Paul did not want to deal severely with the Corinthians by punishing the offenders (12:21). He wanted to exercise his apostolic authority in a positive way, but his ministry required him both to strengthen and to tear . . . down (cp. Jer 1:10). • to strengthen you (or to build you up): This is Paul’s favorite expression for a stable Christian community (see Eph 4:12), in which the Lord lives both in and among the believers (2 Cor 13:5).

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

2Co 13:10. Μοι, to me) Paul, in treating of his peculiar apostolic power, returns from the plural to the singular.

Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament — English translation (T&T Clark, Edinburgh, 1860) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

2Co_13:10. This, namely, that I wish to have you δυνατούς or κατηρτισμένους and pray accordingly, this is the reason why I write this when absent, in order not to proceed sharply when present, etc. He wishes that he may be spared from the οὐ φείσομαι, threatened in 2Co_13:2, and that he may see the earnest anxiety, which he had already expressed at 2Co_12:20 f., dispelled. In virtue of this view of its practical bearing, ταῦτα is to be referred, not to the whole Epistle, but (comp. Osiander and Hofmann) to the current section from 2Co_12:20 onwar.

ἀποτόμως] literally, curtly,that is, with thoroughgoing sternness,the same figurative conception as in our schroff, scharf [English, sharply]. In the N. T. only recurring at Tit_1:13. Comp. Wis_5:22, and Grimm in loc.; ἀποτομία, Rom_11:22. More frequently in classical writers. See, in general, Fritzsche, ad Rom. II. p. 508; Hermann, ad Soph. O. R. 877.

On χράομαι without dative, with adverb, to deal with, comp. Est_1:19; Est_9:27; Est_9:12; 2Ma_12:14; Polyb. xii. 7. 3.

ἣν ὁ Κύριος ἔδωκέ μοι εἰς οἰκοδ. κ.τ.λ.] contains a reason why he might not proceed ἀποτόμως, as thereby he could not but act at variance with the destined purpose for which Christ had given to him his apostolic authority, or at least could serve it only indirectly (in the way of sharp chastening with a view to amendment). Comp. 2Co_10:8. If we connect the whole κατὰ τ ἐξουσίαν κ.τ.λ. with γράφω (Hofmann), the ἵνα παρὼν μὴ ἀποτόμ χρήσωμαι is made merely a parenthetic thought, which is not in keeping with its importance according to the context (2Co_13:7 ff.), and is forbidden by the emphasized correspondence of ἀπών and παρών (comp. 2Co_13:2). This emphasis is all the stronger, seeing that ἀπών in itself would be quite superfluous.

Meyer — Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament — English translation by Peter Christie, edited by Frederick Crombie (T&T Clark, 1880) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

2Co 13:10 . διὰ τοῦτο ταῦτα κ . τ . λ .: for this cause I write these things, i.e. , this letter, while absent that I may not when present ( cf. 2Co 2:3 ) deal sharply (we must understand ὑμῖν after χρήσωμαι , as at Est 1:19 ; Est 9:27 ) according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for casting down . The last clause is repeated verbatim from 2Co 10:8 .

CONCLUSION.

The Expositor's Greek Testament, edited by W. Robertson Nicoll (1897–1910) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

10. Διὰ τοῦτο. ‘For this cause,’ as 4:1, 7:13; 1Co 4:17, etc. ‘Therefore’ (AV) may be kept for οὖν (1:17, 3:12, 5:6, 11:20, etc.), and ‘wherefore’ for διό (1:20, 2:8, 4:13, etc.). It is because he desires their restoration and perfecting that he sends this letter before coming himself. But διὰ τοῦτο may possible anticipate ἵνα and refer to what follows.

ταῦτα ἀπὼν γράφω, ἵνα παρὼν μὴ ἀποτόμως χρήσωμαι. ‘When absent I write these things, that when present I may not deal sharply.’ The rare adverb (Tit 1:13; Wisd. 5:22) reflects its meaning upon ταῦτα: he writes sharply, that he may not have to act sharply. Ἀπότομος occurs Wisd. 5:20, 6:5, 11:10, 12:9, 18:15, and nowhere else in Bibl. Grk. This is further evidence (see on 4:4, 5:1, 5:9, 6:3, 6, 7, 8:20, 10:3, 5) that St Paul knew the Book of Wisdom. Χράομαι with an adv. and no dat. occurs Job 34:20 (παρανόμως); Isa 28:21 (ἀλλοτρίως); Dan 8:7 (διαφόρως); Est 1:19, Est 9:27 (ἄλλως).

κατὰ τὴν ἐξουσίαν ἣν ὁ κύριος ἔδωκεν. This depends upon μὴ ἀποτόμως χρ. He desires to be able to abstain from dealing sharply ‘in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for casting down’ (10:4, 8). Chastisement, if needed, would, of course, be for their building up; but at the moment it would look like demolition.

Throughout the passage the Apostle’s mind hovers between hope and fear, hope that the condition of the Corinthian Church may be better than he has been led to believe, and fear that he may have to use very drastic measures. There has been wrongdoing; of that there can be no doubt; he witnessed it himself during his second visit. But they may have repented, and there may have been no recurrence of grievous evils. On the other hand, the wrongdoers may be still impenitent, and others may be following their bad examples. He has no prejudice against any of them, and it will be a great delight to him to find that his misgivings are now baseless. But it is fair to them to declare plainly, that there will be a thorough investigation, and that impenitent transgressors, if they exist, will be severely dealt with. That unwelcome thought is now dismissed, and with a few affectionate sentences the Apostle brings his storm-tossed letter into a haven of love and peace.

13:11-13. CONCLUDING EXHORTATION, SALUTATION, AND BENEDICTION

If we adopt the hypothesis that the last four chapters are part of a letter written and sent before the first nine chapters, we need not, as some do, stop short at 13:10 as the end of the earlier fragment. Beyond reasonable doubt these remaining verses are the conclusion of the earlier letter, and from 10:1 to 13:13 (14) is all one piece. The change to an affectionate tone here, after the vehemence and severity of 10:1-8:10, is as natural and intelligible as the change in the opposite direction between chapters 9. and 10. is unnatural and perplexing.* Secondly, there are fairly conspicuous links between these concluding verses and those which immediately precede them; καταρτίζεσθε recalls τὴν ὑμῶν κατάρτισιν, while τὸ αὐτὸ φρονεῖτε, εἰρηνεύετε looks like a direct reference to his dread of finding ἔρις, ζῆλος, θυμοί κ.τ.λ. (12:20), rampant among them. There is nothing of the same kind between these concluding verses and the latter part of 9. Moreover, the hypothesis that the whole of the last portion of an earlier letter has become united with the whole of the first portion of a later one is not a violently improbable conjecture. That a section of the earlier letter has been inserted between the main portion and the conclusion of the later letter is much less easy to believe. See p. 385.

International Critical Commentary — older volumes (1896–1929), various authors — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

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.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

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's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

10. According to the power In the first place, he arms the strictness of which he speaks, with the authority of God, that it may not appear to be thunder without lightning, or a rashly excited onset. Farther, he lets them know, that he would rather employ his power to another purpose, for which it was peculiarly designed — the promoting of their edification. “I shall not rashly have recourse to cruel remedies, nor will I give indulgence to my passion, but will simply execute the commission that the Lord has given me.”

When he speaks of power given him for edification, and not for destruction, he employs these terms for a somewhat different purpose from what he had done previously in 2 Corinthians 10:8. For in that passage there was a commendation of the Gospel from the advantage it yields — because what is for our advantage is wont to be agreeable, and is willingly received by us. Here, however, he simply means to declare, that although he might justly inflict upon the Corinthians a severe blow, yet it was much more his inclination to exercise his power for their advantage, than for their destruction — the former being its proper design. For as the Gospel, in its own nature, is the power of God unto salvation, (Romans 1:16,) and an odor of life unto life, (2 Corinthians 2:15, 16,) but in a way of contingency, is an odor of death; so the authority, which is conferred upon the Ministers of it, ought to be salutary to the hearers. If, on the other hand, it turns out to their condemnation, that is contrary to its nature. The meaning, therefore, is this: “Do not, through your own fault, allow that to turn to your destruction, which God has appointed for salvation.” In the mean time, the Apostle admonishes all pastors by his example, in what manner they should limit the use of their power.

John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.

(10) Therefore I write these things being absent . . .—The words speak of an inner conflict, in which love has triumphed, not without pain, over feelings of bitterness and indignation. The storm has passed, and the sky is again clear. He does not recall what he has written, but he explains and half-apologises for it. It was better to speak with severity than to act. But even had it been necessary to act, as at one time he thought it would be, he wished them to understand that even then his aim would have been, as it was now, to restore them to their true completeness in Christ; not to inflict punishment for the sake of punishing, or as a mere display of power.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

10. lest being present I should use sharpness] See ch. 2Co_1:23, and 2Co_13:2.

power] Rather, authority, as in ch. 2Co_10:8.

to edification] See note on 1Co_8:1. Also ch. 2Co_12:19, and especially 2Co_10:8, the words in which St Paul here repeats.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Therefore I write these things being absent,.... Assuring them of his power and authority, expressing his concern for their welfare, earnestly desiring that they might be kept from evil, and perform good works; and that they might be in a more honourable, orderly, and comfortable situation, whilst he was absent from them, and before he came among them:

lest, being present, I should use sharpness; meaning severe reproofs and censures, or rather the exercise of the apostolic rod:

according to the power the Lord haft given me, to edification, and not to destruction; by striking persons dead, as Ananias and Sapphira were by Peter; or by delivering them up to Satan to have corporeal punishment inflicted on them, as were Hymenaeus and Philetus, and the incestuous person by the Apostle Paul; which, though it was for the destruction of the flesh, yet for the salvation of their souls, and for the good, use, and edification of the rest of the society, that they might take warning thereby, and shun the evils which were the occasion of such severity.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

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.

Ver. 10. And not to destruction] Unless by accident; or, if to the destruction of the flesh, it is that the spirit might be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus, 1Co 5:5. {See Trapp on "1Co 5:5"} {See Trapp on "2Co 10:8"}

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Therefore I write these things ... - 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 I may not have occasion to employ severity; see the sentiment explained in the note on 2Co 10:2.

According to the power ... - 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 2Co 10:8; see the note on that place.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

We write this for the edification of Christ’s mystical body, and to cause all men to enter; not for its destruction, and to compel many to abandon it.

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

The apostle here lets them know with how much tenderness he dealt with them; and whereas they might have charged him with sharpness in his letters, he assures them, that he therefore had so wrote, that he might prevent sharper dealings with them when he should come to them, by their hearkening to the admonitions of his letter; for otherwise, he tells them, that after he came he must deal more sharply with them in the execution of that power with which Christ had intrusted him. Yet he further tells them, that that power was for their good, not for their harm; for their edification, not for their destruction: which is the same with what he had said, 2Co 10:8, and in the verse immediately preceding.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

10. Therefore—In consequence of this wish.

These things—Especially the severe rebukes from 2Co_10:1, to this point.

Sharpness— Severity of reproof. His letter would prepare their minds for his presence.

Edification… destruction—So 2Co_10:8. For the very reason that his power was given for building up, not tearing down, he wrote severely, in order to forestall his being obliged to act severely. They might compel him to tear down in order to build up.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

I should use sharpness. The word rendered "sharpness" is an adverb, like our "abruptly" or "precipitately." The only other passage of the New Testament where it occurs is Tit_1:13; but the substantive apotomia occurs in Rom_11:22 for "severity."

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

As if the apostle had said, "Verily I write thus to you, being absent, purposely, to reclaim you, lest being present, I should be forced to use some sharpness towards you, according to the power which the Lord hath given me, tending to your edification always, and not at any time to your destruction."

Observe here, With what tenderness the apostle treats these offenders; he tells them, the sharpness and severity in his letters (if they accounted it such) was upon a kind design, to prevent sharpness and severity in his dealings with them, when he came amongst them; yet withal, he assures them, that if matters should come to an extremity, that he must be forced to exercise his apostolical power, in cutting the contumacious off from the church’s communion; he would exercise it with a tender regard to their good, not their hurt; for their edification, and not willingly to their destruction.

Learn we, from the apostle’s practice, to execute the censures of the church with great tenderness and affection, with great pity and compassion, with extraordinary dread and caution; not with rashness and indiscretion, or upon every light and trivial occasion, but like a tender-hearted father, with a rod in our hands, and tears in our eyes.

William Burkitt's Expository Notes on the New Testament (1700–1703) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

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 . [Here Paul amplifies the thought of verses 7 and 8. If the Corinthians are only perfected in strength, if they are mighty in faith and righteousness, he is content to be looked upon as weak by them; and therefore to spare himself the pains of disciplining them at his coming, he has taken the milder method of doing so by letter. For it indeed pained him to use divine power in tearing down a Church, when that power was given him for the purpose of building up churches. In short, Paul was content that they should look upon him as no apostle it all, provided they could do so without any injury to themselves. He was zealous for his apostolic authority over them, because without his guiding power they would make shipwreck of the faith.]

J. W. McGarvey (with Philip Y. Pendleton), Commentaries on the New Testament (The Fourfold Gospel, 1914; Acts; and the epistles) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

10. Therefore I write these things, etc. He writes in order that he may not have to use sharpness when he comes, or the power which God has given for upbuilding, not for destruction.

B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.

10. χρήσωμαι. (אABKL) rather than χρήσομαι (DFGP). Against overwhelming evidence (אABDFGP) the Rec. places ὁ κύριος after ἔδωκέν μοι (KL).

10. He writes in order that, if possible, his fears (2Co 12:20) and his threats (2Co 13:2) may not be fulfilled.

Διὰ τοῦτο. For this cause (2Co 4:1, 2Co 7:13; 1Co 4:17; &c.). This should be distinguished in translation from οὖν (2Co 1:17, 2Co 3:12, 2Co 5:6; 2Co 5:11; 2Co 5:20, &c.) ‘therefore,’ and διό (2Co 1:20, 2Co 2:8, 2Co 4:13; 1Co 12:3; 1Co 14:13) ‘wherefore.’ ‘For this cause’ means with a view to their amending and perfecting their way of life.

ταῦτα ἀπὼν γράφω, ἵνα παρὼν μὴ ἀποτόμως χρήσωμαι. When absent I write these things, that when present I may not deal sharply. By ταῦτα he means this severe letter (10–13.), and especially 2Co 12:19 to 2Co 13:9. For ἀποτόμως comp. Tit 1:13; Wis 5:22: in classical Greek it means ‘precisely, absolutely.’ In Rom 11:22 we have ἀποτομία opposed to χρηστότης. Comp. ἀπότομος (Wis 5:20; Wis 6:5; Wis 11:10; Wis 12:9; Wis 18:15, and nowhere else in Biblical Greek). Once more we have evidence of S. Paul’s acquaintance with the Book of Wisdom. See on 2Co 5:9, 2Co 6:3; 2Co 6:6, 2Co 10:5. For χρᾶσθαι with an adv. and no dat. comp. ἐχρήσαντο παρανόμως (Job 34:20): ἀλλοτρίως χρήσεται (Isa 28:21): διαφόρως χρώμενον (Dan 7:7). The conjecture ἀποτόμοις is not needed.

κατὰ τὴν ἐξουσίαν. According to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up (2Co 10:8) and not for casting down (2Co 10:4). The κατά depends upon ἀποτόμως χρήσωμαι. With the thought comp. Luk 9:54-55; Joh 3:17; Joh 12:47.

Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges (Cambridge University Press, 1896; 21 vols, various authors incl. Carr, Maclear, Plummer, Farrar, Lumby, Moule, M. R. James, Simcox) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

10.] διὰ τοῦτο, ‘because I wish and pray for your perfection; ταῦτα, ‘this Epistle.’ ἀποτ., sharply. χρήσ., scil. ὑμῖν. See in reff. similar omissions of the dative.

βούλομαι γὰρ ἐν τοῖς γράμμασι κεῖσθαι τὴν ἀποτομίαν, ἀλλὰ μὴ ἐν τοῖς πράγμασι. Chrys., Hom. xxx. p. 649.

κατὰ τ. ἐξ. ἣν …] gives the reason why he did not wish to act ἀποτόμως,—because the power would seem to be exercised in a direction contrary to that intended by Him who gave it.

Henry Alford, The Greek Testament (1849–1861) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Use sharpness [αποτομως χρησωμαι] . Rev., more literally and correctly, deal sharply, thus giving the force of the adverb. For sharply see on the kindred ajpotomia severity, Rom 11:22.

Marvin R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament (1887–1900) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.