Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Corinthians 10:9
That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.
9. that I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters ] Literally, by means of the letters, i.e. this and the two former. See note on 1Co 5:9. The connection of thought is not clear at first sight, but a little consideration will serve to bring it out. St Paul is about to boast of his authority. This boast is no brutum fulmen. He means to act upon it in all seriousness when he comes to Corinth. He wishes them to understand that it will not be confined to words, but will be shewn in deeds when he arrives. See note on 2Co 10:6.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
That I may not seem … – 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 and empty boasting; not boasting which is not well-founded.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 9. That I may not seem, c.] 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.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
This was one imputation upon the apostle, as we may learn by the next verse. I tell you, saith the apostle, that I have an authority, and a further authority than those who vilify me can pretend unto: but I also tell you, I have no authority to do any harm to any of you; all the authority I have is for your edification, as much as lieth in me to promote the business of your salvation; so that I need not be reported as one that went about to terrify you by my letters; yet I know there are some who so represent me unto you.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
9. I say this lest I should seemto be terrifying you, as children, with empty threats [BENGEL].ESTIUS explains, “Imight boast more of my authority, but I forbear to do so, thatI may not seem as if,” c. But this ellipsis is harsh: and 2Co 10:102Co 10:11 confirm BENGEL’Sview.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters. Here seems to be something wanting, which is to be supplied, The sense is, though I might lawfully boast of the superior authority which we apostles have above other persons, in using sharpness with men insolent and hardened in sin; yet I will not, I forbear every thing of that kind, I drop it, I do not choose to insist upon it;
, “I overlook”, or “neglect” it, “I do not care” to do it, as the Syriac version supplies it; and this he thought most prudent and advisable, lest he should give any occasion to the above calumny that he was bold, and blustering, and terrifying by his letters when absent, and only threatened that he had no power to perform.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
As if I would terrify you by my letters ( ). This use of with the infinitive is seen in the papyri (Moulton, Prolegomena, p. 167) and it is not in the apodosis (Robertson, Grammar, pp. 974, 1040). The active of this old compound verb means to frighten, to terrify. Here only in N.T. It is common in the LXX (Job 7:14; Job 33:16). Note plural (letters) here and cf. 1Cor 5:9; 2Cor 2:3.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
That I may not seem. The construction is abrupt. Probably something is to be supplied, as I say this in order that I may not seem, etc.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “That I may not seem,” (hina me doksa) “In order that I may not seem or appear;” make a show or appearance to take advantage of them unfairly, 1Co 9:12; 1Co 9:15; 1Co 9:18-19; Act 20:33.
2) “As if I would terrify you.” (hosan ekphobein humas) “as 0 were attempting) to frighten you all or to terrify you all,” but to build them up or help them, Act 9:31; Act 20:32.
3) “By letter “ (dia epistolon) “Through the letters,” I have written; 1Co 5:2; 1Co 5:7; 1Co 5:9, alludes to a letter of rebuke Paul had written even prior to the letter of First Corinthians.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
9 That I may not seem to terrify. Again he touches on the calumny which he had formerly refuted, (2Co 10:2,) that he was bold in his writings, while in their presence his courage failed him. On this pretext they disparaged his writings. (769) “What!” Said they, “will he terrify us by letters when at a distance, while, if present with us, he would scarcely venture to mutter a word!” Lest, therefore, his letters should have less weight, he answers, that no objection is advanced against him, that should either destroy or weaken his credit, and that of his doctrine, for deeds were not to be less valued than words. He was not less powerful in actions when present, than he was by words when absent. Hence it was unfair, that his bodily presence should be looked upon as contemptible. By deed, here, he means, in my opinion, the efficacy and success of his preaching, as well as the excellences that were worthy of an Apostle, and his whole manner of life. Speech, on the other hand, denotes — not the very substance of doctrine, but simply the form of it, and the bark, so to speak: for he would have contended for doctrine with greater keeness. The contempt, however, proceeded from this — that he was deficient in that ornament and splendor of eloquence, which secures favor. (770)
(769) ” Ils rendoyent ses ecrits contemptibles;” — “They made his writings contemptible.”
(770) ” Par laquelle on acquiert grace enuers les hommes;” — “By which they acquire favor among men.”
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(9) That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.The logical sequence of thought is: I say this (i.e., that my sentence of delivery to Satan will not be a hollow form) in order that I may not seem to frighten you as with a bug-bear. This, it is clear from what follows, had been said. (Comp. the sneer in the next verse.) The use of the plural in this verse and that which follows is in favour of the hypothesis of a lost letter being referred to in 1Co. 5:9, but does not absolutely prove it.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
2Co 10:9 is taken by Chrysostom, Calvin, Schulz, Morus, Zachariae, Emmerling, Vater, Rckert, Olshausen, de Wette, Ewald, Maier, Hofmann, as the protasis of 2Co 10:11 , so that 2Co 10:10 becomes a parenthesis. But by Erasmus, Luther, Castalio, Beza, Grotius, Bengel, and others, also Billroth and Schrader, it is attached to 2Co 10:8 , in which case, however, some (Beza, Bengel, comp. Billroth) supply before a “ quod ego idcirco dico ,” others (Grotius, comp. Erasmus): “ non addam plura ea de re .” The latter is pure invention; and from the supplement of Beza there would not at all logically result what is said in 2Co 10:9 . No; let . . . be joined immediately , without assuming any intervening thought, to : I shall not be put to shame (now comes the definition , in a negative form, of the divine aim with reference to the charge in question), in order that I may not appear , etc., that the matter may not remain on the footing of the mere word, but it may be apparent in point of fact that I am something quite other than the man who wishes to frighten you by his letters. If in this way the passage proceeds simply and correctly without logical difficulty, the less simple connection of Chrysostom et al . (see above) is superfluous, and is, moreover, not to be accepted, because the new part of the passage would begin, in a very palpably abrupt way, with without any connecting particle, [304] and because what Paul says in 2Co 10:11 could not destroy the appearance indicated in 2Co 10:9 , to which belonged matter of fact .
] The Vulgate rightly has: “tanquam terrere vos,” and Beza: “ceu perterrefacere vos.” The modestly takes away from the harsh and strong the offensiveness, which in the feeling of the apostle it would have had, if taken by itself and in its full sense. It is not modal (“in any way,” Hofmann), but comparative , corresponding quite to our modifying as [German wie ]: that I may not appear to put you as in dread . In later Greek certainly has the meaning tanquam, quasi , having lost its specific reference. See Hermann, de part. , 4. 3, p. 184; Bornemann, in d. Schs. Stud. 1846, p. 61; Buttmann, neut. Gram. p. 189 [E. T. 219]. To resolve it into (Olshausen) is arbitrary, as if it were oratio directa . The classical with optative and subjunctive (Klotz, ad Devar. p. 767), as in 1Th 2:7 , is not to be brought into comparison her.
.] namely, which I write to you ( article ); he had already written two. The plural does not justify the hypothesis of a third letter already written (Bleek).
The compound (comp. , Mar 9:6 ; Heb 12:21 ) is stronger than the simple form, Plato, Gorg. p. 483 C; Eph 3 , p. 318 B; Thuc. iii. 42. 4; Polyb. xiv. 10. 3; Wis 17:9 ; Wis 17:19 ; 1Ma 14:17 .
[304] Hence also at a very early time there crept in after a , which we still find in Syr. Vulg. Chrys. Theophyl. Pel. Ambrosiast. and several cursives.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
9 That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.
Ver. 9. Terrify you by letters ] As the false apostles object against me. Aspersions must be carefully cleared, when the fruit of a man’s ministry is thereby impeached and impeded.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
9. ] follows on 2Co 10:8 , but requires some clause to be supplied such as ‘And I say this,’ or the like. Meyer would join it immediately to ., and regard it as the purpose to be served by the fact verifying his boast . But as De W. observes, a particular result like this can hardly be bound on to a general assertion like that of 2Co 10:8 . To suppose the purpose of Paul’s boast of apostolic power being borne out, to be merely , &c., would be out of keeping with the importance of the fact. So that is much better taken subjectively I say this, because I wish not to seem, &c. , as Vulg. ‘tanquam terrere vos.’ It takes off the harshness of . “ in later (? see ref.) Greek, has the sense of ‘quasi, tanquam,’ losing its proper force, in a commonly current expression; and the sense is much the same as that of alone.” Meyer. Winer takes as = , edn. 6, 42. 6 (but see Moulton’s note, p. 390, 1, who prefers the account given above), and is followed by Olsh., but this, in the presence of the above idiom, is unnecessary.
] He had written two before this, see 1Co 5:9 ; but this is not necessarily here implied: for he may reckon this which he is now writing. Still less can we infer hence that a third had been written before this (Bleek).
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
2Co 10:9 . . . .: that I may not seem as if I would scare you by my letters . It is best to take these words with of the preceding verse; his purpose in writing so severely is not to terrify them, but to build them up in holiness and obedience. = tanquam , with the infin. is only found here in the N.T. The plural suggests (what we know from 1Co 5:9 ) that at least one letter of rebuke in addition to 1 Cor. had been written before this.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
That = In order that. Greek. hina.
terrify. Greek. ekphobeo. Only here.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
9.] follows on 2Co 10:8, but requires some clause to be supplied such as And I say this, or the like. Meyer would join it immediately to ., and regard it as the purpose to be served by the fact verifying his boast. But as De W. observes, a particular result like this can hardly be bound on to a general assertion like that of 2Co 10:8. To suppose the purpose of Pauls boast of apostolic power being borne out, to be merely , &c., would be out of keeping with the importance of the fact. So that is much better taken subjectively-I say this, because I wish not to seem, &c. ,-as Vulg. tanquam terrere vos. It takes off the harshness of . in later (? see ref.) Greek, has the sense of quasi, tanquam,- losing its proper force, in a commonly current expression; and the sense is much the same as that of alone. Meyer. Winer takes as = , edn. 6, 42. 6 (but see Moultons note, p. 390, 1, who prefers the account given above), and is followed by Olsh., but this, in the presence of the above idiom, is unnecessary.
] He had written two before this, see 1Co 5:9; but this is not necessarily here implied: for he may reckon this which he is now writing. Still less can we infer hence that a third had been written before this (Bleek).
Fuente: The Greek Testament
2Co 10:9. ) I say this, lest, etc.- ) Apposite particles [as though I would].- , terrify you) as if you were children, with vain terror.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
2Co 10:9
2Co 10:9
that I may not seem as if I would terrify you by my letters.-That he might not seem to make a boast in his letters to terrify them when he had no power to carry out the boast when present. [There is evident allusion to the representations made by the false teachers, that Paul wrote in the authoritative tone which he assumed merely to frighten his readers, having neither power nor the purpose to carry his threats into execution.]
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
terrify: 2Co 10:10, 1Co 4:5, 1Co 4:19-21
Reciprocal: 2Co 12:6 – above that 2Co 12:20 – and that
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Co 10:9. Regardless of what unpleasant effect the critic might pretend to receive from the letters of Paul, his motive in writing them was not merely to terrify them.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
2Co 10:9. that I may not seem as if I would terrify you by my lettersthat is, by my letters only, and at a distance:Some seem to think that though I can write terrifying letters, I will be as mild as when I was formerly with you; but they shall find it otherwise, if necessity for action shall arise. What follows shows this to be the meaning.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Our apostle here goes on, vindicating himself from the aspersions and reflections which the false teachers cast upon him. They told the Corinthians, that St. Paul’s letters were indeed severe and authoritative, terrifying and affrighting: but his personal presence was weak, and his speech contemptible.
Tradition tells us, that Paul (according to his name) was a man of very little stature, and his voice answerably small; whence probably, the false apostles took occasion to raise this report of his presence and speech. St. Chrysostom saith, that St. Paul’s stature was low, his body crooked, his head bald; and when it is added, that his speech was contemptible, it cannot be understood as if it were so for want of eloquence, but it is thought, this refers rather to some infirmity, or natural impediment, which the apostle might have in his speech.
The gift of knowledge and learning, and the gift of utterance and elocution, as they are distinct in their nature, so they are separable in their subject, and do not always go together; a person of the profoundest knowledge is not always happy in elocution and utterance.
However, in these false teachers we see the constant method and practice of impostors and seducers; namely, to asperse and lessen all that stand in their light. This is an old way of insinuating into the people. The false apostles feared they should never reign at Corinth, but by bringing St. Paul into disesteem with the Corinthians; therefore they say, his letters are weighty, but his bodily presence weak.
But the apostle, 2Co 10:11. gives them to understand, that they should find him the same both absent and present; and that his deeds then should appear as awful as his words now; that when he came again, he would not spare, but punish all disobedience.
Note here, That the things which St. Paul would have his accusers fear, was that by the miraculous gift of the Holy Ghost given to him, to inflict corporal punishments upon disobedient persons, they should speed as Elymas did, Act 13:8 who was smitten with blindness, &c.
Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament
Verse 9 Paul could back his strong letters with power if it was necessary when he arrived.
Fuente: Gary Hampton Commentary on Selected Books
that I may not seem as if I would terrify you by my letters.
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
Paul’s reference to terrifying his readers (2Co 10:9) is ironical, as is clear from 2Co 10:10. It is probably better to take the critics’ charge that Paul was unimpressive as a reference to his conduct among them, not to his physical appearance, in view of the context (cf. 2Co 1:13). Paul evidently was not a showy speaker compared to many silver-tongued orators of his day, or even Apollos. The power of his influence came through the Holy Spirit’s working through his words (cf. 1Co 1:17; 1Co 2:3; 2Co 11:6).
". . . unlike his opponents (2Co 11:20), Paul avoided self-assertiveness and admitted the inferiority of his rhetorical skills (1Co 1:17; 1Co 2:1-5; 2Co 11:6). What he firmly resists, however, is the inference drawn from the claim about his personal bearing and his manner of speaking-namely, that he was ’"timid" when face to face’ (2Co 10:1)." [Note: Ibid., p. 382.]
"Like so many who judge things according to the outward display of this world, Paul’s opponents interpreted meekness as weakness, forbearance as cowardice, and gentleness as indecision (cf. 2Co 10:1; . . . 2Co 11:21 . . .)-or at least they had sought to induce the Corinthians to place this interpretation on Paul’s character." [Note: Hughes, p. 362.]