10. lest being present I should use sharpness<\/em> ] See ch. 2Co 1:23<\/span>, and 2Co 13:2<\/em><\/span>.<\/p>\n power<\/em> ] Rather, authority<\/strong>, as in ch. 2Co 10:8<\/span>.<\/p>\n to edification<\/em> ] See note on 1Co 8:1<\/span>. Also ch. 2Co 12:19<\/span>, and especially 2Co 10:8<\/span>, the words in which St Paul here repeats.<\/p>\n Therefore I write these things … – <\/B>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.<\/P> Lest being present I should use sharpness – <\/B>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<\/span>.<\/P> According to the power … – <\/B>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<\/span>; see the note on that place.<\/P><\/p>\n Verse 10<\/span>. Therefore I write these things<\/B><\/I>] 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<\/I>, , a cutting off<\/I>, employing thus my apostolical authority to inflict punishment; a power<\/I> which God has given<\/I> me, rather to be employed in your edification<\/I> than in your destruction<\/I>.<\/P><\/p>\n 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<\/span>, and in the verse immediately preceding. <\/P> <\/p>\n 10. Therefore<\/B>because I wishthe “sharpness” to be in my letters<\/I> rather than indeeds<\/I> [CHRYSOSTOM].<\/P> edification . . . not todestruction<\/B>for building up . . . not for casting down.<\/I>To “use sharpness” would seem to be casting down,<\/I>rather than building up;<\/I> therefore he prefers not to have touse it.<\/P><\/p>\n Therefore I write these things being absent<\/strong>,…. 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:<\/p>\n lest, being present, I should use sharpness<\/strong>; meaning severe reproofs and censures, or rather the exercise of the apostolic rod:<\/p>\n according to the power the Lord haft given me, to edification, and not to destruction<\/strong>; 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.<\/p>\n That I may not when present deal sharply <\/B> ( <\/SPAN><\/span>). Late adverb from <\/SPAN><\/span>, curt, cut off. In N.T. only here and Tit 1:13<\/span>. <\/P> <\/p>\n Use sharpness [ ] <\/SPAN><\/span>. 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<\/span>.<\/P> <\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n 1) “Therefore I write these things being absent,”<\/strong> (dia touto tauto apon grapho) “Therefore, being absent, I write these things,” 2Co 2:3<\/span>; 2Co 10:2<\/span>; 2Co 12:20-21<\/span>.<\/p>\n 2) “Lest being present I should use sharpness,”<\/strong> (hina paron me aptomos) “in order that being present (When I am present) I might not use sharpness,” Tit 1:13<\/span>. Sharp reproof, severe reproof, even as from the Lord, 2Ti 4:2<\/span>; Rev 3:19<\/span>.<\/p>\n 3) “According to the power which the Lord hath given me,”<\/strong> (chersomai kata ten eksousian hen ho kurios edoken mou) “In order that I may deal according to the authority that the Lord gave me,” 2Co 10:8<\/span>; this power was for edification, 1Co 14:3-5<\/span>.<\/p>\n 4) “For edification,”<\/strong> (eis oikodomen) “with reference to edification,” or “for the purpose of edification, building up, enlarging or enhancing you all and the church,” 1Co 14:26<\/span>; Rev 14:19<\/span>.<\/p>\n 5) “And not to destruction,”<\/strong> (kai ouk eis kathairesin) “and not for otherthrow,” or tearing you down, destroying your influence and usefulness, 2Co 10:8<\/span>; 1Ti 3:15<\/span>.<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n 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. (970) 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.” <\/p>\n 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 2Co 10:8<\/span>. 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, (Rom 1:16<\/span>,) and an odor of life unto life, (2Co 2:15<\/span>,) 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. <\/p>\n (970) “ Vne escarmouche d’vn homme qui se soit cnflambe sans raison;” — “A skirmishing on the part of a man who has kindled himself up without any just cause.” <\/p>\n (10) Therefore I write these things being absent . . .<\/strong>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.<\/p>\n 10<\/strong>. <\/strong> Therefore<\/strong> In consequence of this wish<\/strong>. <\/p>\n These things<\/strong> Especially the severe rebukes from 2Co 10:1<\/span>, to this point. <\/p>\n Sharpness<\/strong> Severity of reproof. His letter would prepare their minds for his presence.<\/p>\n Edification destruction<\/strong> So 2Co 10:8<\/span>. 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 <\/em> severely. They might compel him to tear down in order to build up.<\/p>\n ‘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.’<\/p>\n The verse connects with 2Co 10:8<\/span> suggesting that ‘these things’ refers to chapters 10-13. He has written ‘these things’ while absent from them for one purpose, so that he might avoid having the necessity of dealing sharply with them when he arrives. For his main authority and power in the Spirit which makes him ‘mighty through God’ (2Co 10:4<\/span>) has been given to him primarily for building up and not casting down. For even though he will do it if necessary, he has no desire to cast down. His aim is positive. Yet let them not doubt that if necessary he will cast down, although even that will have a right aim behind it, their final repentance. So they are left with this final choice. Do they wish to be built up or cast down?<\/p>\n 2Co 13:10<\/span><\/em><\/strong>. <\/strong>Therefore I write, <\/em><\/strong>&c.<\/strong> Dr. Heylin translates this passage very well from 2Co 13:5<\/span>. Try yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; bring yourselves to the proof. Are you so little acquainted with yourselves, as not to know whether Jesus Christ be in you? Unless indeed you have no proofs of it, <\/em>2Co 13:6<\/span>. But I trust that you shall be convinced that we are not without such proof, <\/em>2Co 13:7<\/span>. Now I pray God that I may not inflict any evil <\/em>[punishment<\/em>] upon you, and so my proofs may not be produced, <\/em>[and this we ask of God for your sakes,<\/em>] that ye may do what is right, although we thereby shall appear as not having the proofs <\/em>[we threaten you with<\/em>], 2Co 13:8<\/span>. For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the<\/em> truth, <\/em>2Co 13:9<\/span>. And therefore it is matter of joy to us, when we are thus disarmed by the strength of your integrity. And this is what I pray for, even your perfection, <\/em>2Co 13:10<\/span>. These things therefore I write to you, being absent, that when I come, I may not use severity, according to the power which the Lord hath given me, for edification, and not for destruction.<\/em> <\/p>\n 2Co 13:10<\/span> . This<\/em> , namely, that I wish to have you or and pray accordingly, this is the reason why I write this when absent, in order not to proceed sharply when present<\/em> , etc. He wishes that he may be spared from the , threatened in 2Co 13:2<\/span> , and that he may see the earnest anxiety, which he had already expressed at 2Co 12:20<\/span> f., dispelled. In virtue of this view of its practical bearing, is to be referred, not to the whole Epistle, but (comp. Osiander and Hofmann) to the current section from 2Co 12:20<\/span> onwar.<\/p>\n ] literally, curtly<\/em> , that is, with thoroughgoing sternness, the same figurative conception as in our schroff, scharf<\/em> [English, sharply<\/em> ]. In the N. T. only recurring at Tit 1:13<\/span> . Comp. Wis 5:22 , and Grimm in loc.<\/em> ; , Rom 11:22<\/span> . More frequently in classical writers. See, in general, Fritzsche, ad Rom.<\/em> II. p. 508; Hermann, ad Soph. O. R.<\/em> 877.<\/p>\n On without dative, with adverb, to deal with<\/em> , comp. Est 1:19<\/span> ; Est 9:27<\/span> ; Est 9:12<\/span> ; 2Ma 12:14 ; Polyb. xii. 7. 3.<\/p>\n . . . .] contains a reason why<\/em> he might not proceed , 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<\/span> . If we connect the whole . . . with (Hofmann), the is made merely a parenthetic thought, which is not in keeping with its importance according to the context (2Co 13:7<\/span> ff.), and is forbidden by the emphasized correspondence of and (comp. 2Co 13:2<\/span> ). This emphasis is all the stronger, seeing that in itself would be quite superfluous.<\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n Ver. 10. And not to destruction<\/strong> ] 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<\/span> . See Trapp on “<\/em> 1Co 5:5 “<\/em> See Trapp on “<\/em> 2Co 10:8 “<\/em> <\/p>\n 10.<\/strong> ] <\/strong> , ‘ because I wish and pray for your perfection<\/em> ; , ‘ this Epistle<\/em> .’ <\/strong> ., sharply.<\/strong> <\/strong> ., scil. . See in reff. similar omissions of the dative.<\/p>\n , . Chrys., Hom. xxx. p. 649.<\/p>\n <\/strong> . <\/strong> <\/strong> . <\/strong> <\/strong> ] gives the reason why he did not wish to act , because the power would seem to be exercised in a direction contrary to that intended by Him who gave it<\/em> .<\/p>\n 2Co 13:10<\/span> . . . .: for this cause I write these things, i.e.<\/em> , this letter, while absent that I may not when present<\/em> ( cf.<\/em> 2Co 2:3<\/span> ) deal sharply<\/em> (we must understand after , as at Est 1:19<\/span> ; Est 9:27<\/span> ) according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for casting down<\/em> . The last clause is repeated verbatim<\/em> from 2Co 10:8<\/span> .<\/p>\n CONCLUSION.<\/p>\n Therefore = On account of (Greek. dia. App-104.) this. <\/p>\n lest = in order that Greek. hina) . . . not (Greek. me. App-105). <\/p>\n use sharpness = act severely. <\/p>\n use. Greek chraomai. See Act 27:3, <\/p>\n sharpness. Greek. apotomos. Only here and Tit 1:13. Compare Rom 11:22. <\/p>\n according to. Greek. kata. App-104. <\/p>\n power = authority. Greek. erousia. App-172.<\/p>\n Lord. App-98. <\/p>\n hath given = gave. <\/p>\n to = for. Greek. eis. App-104. <\/p>\n edification. Greek oikodome. See 1Co 3:9. <\/p>\n destruction. Greek kathairesis. See 2Co 10:4. <\/p>\n 10.] , because I wish and pray for your perfection; , this Epistle. ., sharply. ., scil. . See in reff. similar omissions of the dative.<\/p>\n , . Chrys., Hom. xxx. p. 649.<\/p>\n . . ] gives the reason why he did not wish to act ,-because the power would seem to be exercised in a direction contrary to that intended by Him who gave it.<\/p>\n 2Co 13:10. , to me) Paul, in treating of his peculiar apostolic power, returns from the plural to the singular.<\/p>\n 2Co 13:10<\/p>\n 2Co 13:10 <\/p>\n For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not when present deal sharply,-While he was absent he wrote these things, lest, when he comes, he should find them in an evil way which would require him to use with severity the power the Lord had given him to build up and strengthen them.<\/p>\n according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for casting down.-The powers were given for their good, but if they refused to place themselves in such condition that they could be used for their good, then the powers would be used for their destruction. This refers to spiritual powers. Jesus came to save. But those who refused to be saved by him were condemned the more deeply. The gospel is to the one a savor from death unto death; to the other a savor from life unto life. (2Co 2:15-16). What blesses the obedient punishes the disobedient. [If he should be compelled to act sharply, it would be more like pulling down than building up, and so at least an apparent contravention of the spirit of that authority with which he had been entrusted by Christ.] <\/p>\n I write: 2Co 2:3, 2Co 10:2, 2Co 12:20, 2Co 12:21, 1Co 4:21 <\/p>\n lest: 2Co 13:2, 2Co 13:8, Tit 1:13 <\/p>\n according: 2Co 10:8 <\/p>\n Reciprocal: Act 5:5 – hearing Act 9:31 – were edified 1Co 5:4 – when 1Co 5:5 – deliver 1Co 9:3 – them 1Co 14:26 – Let 2Co 1:23 – that 2Co 2:1 – that 2Co 2:6 – which 2Co 7:3 – to condemn 2Co 10:6 – in 2Co 10:11 – such 2Co 11:21 – as though 2Co 12:19 – but 2Co 13:6 – General Gal 5:10 – bear 1Th 2:6 – when 2Th 3:15 – count 1Ti 1:20 – I have<\/p>\n 2Co 13:10. See the comments at 1Co 4:21; 2Co 2:3 2Co 10:8. Paul was always conscientious and never evaded any duty however unpleasant. Yet he was considerate of the feelings of others, and never used the severest corrections against his brethren if a milder form could lawfully be used. If he could induce them to make the necessary adjustment through the means of his epistle, he would be spared the unpleasant ordeal of invoking his power (authority) in person, since his presence seemed to be objectionable to some.<\/p>\n 2Co 13:10. 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. He will not close without reaffirming his divinely-bestowed apostolic authority; but is careful to point out its beneficent end: It was given me to build up, not to pull down; the less of it, therefore, that is needed, the better pleased shall I be; in fact, my whole object in writing in absence so severely as I have done, has been to make such severity unnecessary when I come amongst you.<\/p>\n 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.” <\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Verse 10<\/strong> <\/strong> While he was away from them, Paul wrote to them hoping they would change. The authority and power he had was intended for use in making congregations grow. He would hate to have to use that power to cut out infected and diseased members. <\/p>\n 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.] <\/p>\n Verse 10 <\/p>\n Should use sharpness; should feel urged to reproach, you with even greater severity. <\/p>\n 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. 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. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Corinthians 13:10”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-28999","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-commentary"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28999","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28999"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28999\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28999"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28999"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28999"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible <\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: The Greek Testament<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Gary Hampton Commentary on Selected Books<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"