The Meaning of 2 Corinthians 10:14 Explained

2 Corinthians 10:14

KJV: For 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:

YLT: for not as not reaching to you do we stretch ourselves overmuch, for even unto you did we come in the good news of the Christ,

Darby: For we do not, as not reaching to you, overstretch ourselves, (for we have come to you also in the glad tidings of the Christ;)

ASV: For we stretch not ourselves overmuch, as though we reached not unto you: for we came even as far as unto you in the gospel of Christ:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

For  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: 

What does 2 Corinthians 10:14 Mean?

Context Summary

2 Corinthians 10:8-18 - Enlarging One's Sphere Of Influence
There is marvelous power in the weakest of men, when governed by a single purpose and filled with the consciousness and the power of God. Weak and contemptible in themselves, they are often the chosen channels through which God pours His living water. Any child could have destroyed Raphael's brush, but in his hand it painted immortal pictures. Incidentally the Apostle remarks that some who criticized him bore themselves proudly, because their standard was so low. A five-foot man thinks himself tall when he compares himself with a dwarf! Always compare what is worst in yourself with what is best in others, and you will be kept humble.
Paul was always pressing outward to the fields that lay beyond. These were vast unoccupied regions, which he coveted to count as provinces in the Kingdom of Christ. This is the supreme test of a man. It is comparatively easy to build on foundations laid by another Christian worker, and to win away his converts. Such conduct is mean and cowardly. Open up new ground and show the stuff that's in you. The Apostle was justified in making these affirmations, but he did so in the meekness and gentleness of Christ. [source]

Chapter Summary: 2 Corinthians 10

1  Against the false apostles, who disgraced the weakness of his person and bodily presence,
4  he shows the spiritual might and authority with which he was armed against all adverse powers;
7  assuring those who at his coming he will be found as mighty in word as he is now in writing;
12  and encouraging them to reach out themselves beyond their compass

Greek Commentary for 2 Corinthians 10:14

We stretch not ourselves overmuch [ου υπερεκτεινομεν εαυτους]
Apparently Paul made this double compound verb to express his full meaning (only in Gregory Nazianzen afterwards). “We do not stretch ourselves out beyond our rights.” [source]
We came even as far as unto you [αχρι και υμων επτασαμεν]
First aorist active indicative of πτανω — phthanō to come before, to precede, the original idea which is retained in Matthew 12:28 (Luke 11:20) and may be so here. If so, it means “We were the first to come to you” (which is true, Acts 18:1-18). [source]
We stretch not ourselves beyond our measure [μὴ ὑπερεκτείνομεν ἑαυτούς]
The verb only here in the New Testament. The A.V. is needlessly verbose. Rev., better, stretch not ourselves overmuch. [source]
As though we reached not unto you []
Lit., as not reaching. Paul would say: It is not as if God had not appointed our apostolic labor to reach to you. If He had not thus appointed, then our desire to labor among you would have been an overstretching of ourselves. Therefore, in boasting of our labor in Corinth, we do not boast beyond our measure. [source]
We are come [ἐφθάσαμεν]
Rev., we came. The verb originally means to come before, anticipate, as 1 Thessalonians 4:15(A.V., prevent; Rev., precede ); but it gradually loses the idea of priority, and means simply come to, arrive at. So Matthew 12:28; Philemon 3:16. It may possibly be used here with a hint of the earlier meaning, were the first to come. See Rev., margin. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Corinthians 10:14

Matthew 12:28 Is come unto you [ἔφθασεν ἐφ ' ὑμᾶς]
The verb is used in the simple sense to arrive at (2 Corinthians 10:14; Philemon 3:16), and sometimes to anticipate (1 Thessalonians 4:15). Here with a suggestion of the latter sense, which is also conveyed by the Rev., “comeupon. ” It has come upon you before you expected it. [source]
Romans 9:31 Did not arrive at that law [εις νομον ουκ επτασεν]
First aorist active indicative of πτανω — phthanō old verb to anticipate (1 Thessalonians 4:15), now just to arrive as here and 2 Corinthians 10:14. The word “that” is not in the Greek. Legal righteousness Israel failed to reach, because to do that one had to keep perfectly all the law. [source]
2 Corinthians 10:13 Of the province [του κανονος]
Old word Only twice in N.T., here (also 2 Corinthians 10:15, 2 Corinthians 10:16) and Galatians 6:16 (rule to walk by). To reach even unto you (επικεσται αχρι και υμων — ephikesthai achri kai humōn). Second aorist middle infinitive of επικνεομαι — ephikneomai old verb, only here and 2 Corinthians 10:14 in N.T. Paul‘s measuring-rod extends to Corinth. [source]
2 Corinthians 10:13 To reach even unto you [επικεσται αχρι και υμων]
Second aorist middle infinitive of επικνεομαι — ephikneomai old verb, only here and 2 Corinthians 10:14 in N.T. Paul‘s measuring-rod extends to Corinth. [source]
Philippians 3:16 Whereto we have already attained [εἰς ὃ ἐφθάσαμεν]
Whatever real christian and moral attainment you may have made, let that serve as a rule for your further advance. The character of this standard of attainment is illustrated by the words in Phlippians 3:15, be thus minded, and by those in Phlippians 3:17, as ye have us for an example. The individual variations are not considered. He regards rather the collective development, and assumes the essentials of christian attainment on the part of his readers. For attained, see on we are come, 2 Corinthians 10:14. [source]
1 Thessalonians 2:16 Is come [ἔφθασεν]
The verb not frequent in N.T. and used mostly by Paul. See on 2 Corinthians 10:14, and comp. Romans 9:31; Philemon 3:16. [source]
1 Thessalonians 1:5 Our gospel [το ευαγγελιον ημων]
The gospel (see Matthew 4:23; note on Mark 1:1 and Mark 1:15 for ευαγγελιον — euaggelion) which we preach, Paul‘s phrase also in 2 Thessalonians 2:14; 2 Corinthians 4:3; Romans 2:16; Romans 16:25; 2 Timothy 2:8. Paul had a definite, clear-cut message of grace that he preached everywhere including Thessalonica. This message is to be interpreted in the light of Paul‘s own sermons in Acts and Epistles, not by reading backward into them the later perversions of Gnostics and sacramentarians. This very word was later applied to the books about Jesus, but Paul is not so using the term here or anywhere else. In its origin Paul‘s gospel is of God (1 Thessalonians 2:2, 1 Thessalonians 2:8, 1 Thessalonians 2:9), in its substance it is Christ‘s (1 Thessalonians 3:2; 2 Thessalonians 1:8), and Paul is only the bearer of it (1 Thessalonians 2:4, 1 Thessalonians 2:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:14) as Milligan points out. Paul and his associates have been entrusted with this gospel (1 Thessalonians 2:4) and preach it (Galatians 2:2). Elsewhere Paul calls it God‘s gospel (2 Corinthians 11:7; Romans 1:1; Romans 15:16) or Christ‘s (1 Corinthians 9:12; 2 Corinthians 2:12; 2 Corinthians 9:13; 2 Corinthians 10:14; Galatians 1:7; Romans 15:19; Philemon 1:27). In both instances it is the subjective genitive. Came unto you (εγενητη εις υμας — egenēthē eis humās). First aorist passive indicative of γινομαι — ginomai in practically same sense as εγενετο — egeneto (second aorist middle indicative as in the late Greek generally). So also εις υμας — eis humās like the Koiné{[28928]}š is little more than the dative υμιν — humin (Robertson, Grammar, p. 594). Not only - but also Sharp contrast, negatively and positively. The contrast between δυναμις — logos (word) and εν πνευματι αγιωι και πληροποριαι πολληι — dunamis (power) is seen also in 1 Corinthians 2:4; 1 Corinthians 4:20. Paul does not refer to miracles by εν — dunamis In the Holy Spirit and much assurance (λογωι δυναμει — en pneumati hagiōi kai plērophoriāi pollēi). Preposition πληροποριαι — en repeated with πληροπορεω — logōiκατως οιδατε — dunamei but only once here thus uniting closely Holy Spirit and much assurance. No article with either word. The word οιοι εγενητημεν υμιν — plērophoriāi is not found in ancient Greek or the lxx. It appears once in Clement of Rome and one broken papyrus example. For the verb οιοι — plērophoreō see note on Luke 1:1. The substantive in the N.T. only here and Colossians 2:2; Hebrews 6:11; Hebrews 10:22. It means the full confidence which comes from the Holy Spirit. Even as ye know (υμιν — kathōs oidate). Paul appeals to the Thessalonians themselves as witnesses to the character of his preaching and life among them. What manner of men we showed ourselves toward you Literally, What sort of men we became to you. Qualitative relative ημετα — hoioi and dative δι υμας — humin and first aorist passive indicative egenēthēmen (not ēmetha we were). An epexegetical comment with for your sake (di' humās) added. It was all in their interest and for their advantage, however it may have seemed otherwise at the time. [source]
2 Thessalonians 1:3 Even as it is meet [κατως αχιον εστιν]
Οπειλομεν — Opheilomen points to the divine, αχιον — axion to the human side of the obligation (Lightfoot), perhaps to cheer the fainthearted in a possible letter to him in reply to Paul‘s First Thessalonian epistle (Milligan). This adjective αχιος — axios is from αγω — agō to drag down the scales, and so weighty, worthy, worthwhile, old word and appropriate here. For that your faith groweth exceedingly (οτι υπεραυχανει η πιστις υμων — hoti huperauxanei hē pistis humōn). Causal use of οτι — hoti referring to the obligation stated in οπειλομεν — opheilomen The verb υπεραυχανω — huperauxanō is one of Paul‘s frequent compounds in υπερ — huper (υπερβαινω — hupeṙbainō 1 Thessalonians 4:6; υπερεκτεινω — hupeṙek̇teinō 2 Corinthians 10:14; υπερεντυγχανω — hupeṙeṅtugchanō Romans 8:26; υπερνικαω — hupeṙnikaō Romans 8:37; υπερπλεοναζω — hupeṙpleonazō 1 Timothy 1:14) and occurs only here in N.T. and rare elsewhere (Galen, Dio Cass.). Figure of the tree of faith growing above (υπερ — huper) measure. Cf. parable of Jesus about faith-like a grain of mustard seed (Matthew 13:31.). Aboundeth Same verb in 1 Thessalonians 3:12, here a fulfilment of the prayer made there. Milligan finds diffusive growth of love in this word because of “each one” Frame finds in this fulfilment of the prayer of 1 Thessalonians 3:12 one proof that II Thessalonians is later than I Thessalonians. [source]

What do the individual words in 2 Corinthians 10:14 mean?

Not for as not reaching to you we are overextending ourselves as far as also you we came in the gospel - of Christ
οὐ γὰρ ὡς μὴ ἐφικνούμενοι εἰς ὑμᾶς ὑπερεκτείνομεν ἑαυτούς ἄχρι καὶ ὑμῶν ἐφθάσαμεν ἐν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ τοῦ Χριστοῦ

ἐφικνούμενοι  reaching 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle or Passive, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ἐφικνέομαι  
Sense: to come to.
ὑπερεκτείνομεν  we  are  overextending 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 1st Person Plural
Root: ὑπερεκτείνω  
Sense: to extend beyond the prescribed bounds, stretch out beyond measure, stretch out overmuch.
ἑαυτούς  ourselves 
Parse: Reflexive Pronoun, Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Root: ἑαυτοῦ  
Sense: himself, herself, itself, themselves.
ἄχρι  as  far  as 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἄχρι  
Sense: until, unto, etc.
καὶ  also 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: καί  
Sense: and, also, even, indeed, but.
ἐφθάσαμεν  we  came 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 1st Person Plural
Root: φθάνω  
Sense: to come before, precede, anticipate.
εὐαγγελίῳ  gospel 
Parse: Noun, Dative Neuter Singular
Root: εὐαγγέλιον  
Sense: a reward for good tidings.
τοῦ  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Χριστοῦ  of  Christ 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: Χριστός  
Sense: Christ was the Messiah, the Son of God.