The Meaning of 2 Corinthians 10:8 Explained

2 Corinthians 10:8

KJV: For 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:

YLT: for even if also anything more abundantly I shall boast concerning our authority, that the Lord gave us for building up, and not for casting you down, I shall not be ashamed;

Darby: For and if I should boast even somewhat more abundantly of our authority, which the Lord has given to us for building up and not for your overthrowing, I shall not be put to shame;

ASV: For though I should glory somewhat abundantly concerning our authority (which the Lord gave for building you up, and not for casting you down), I shall not be put to shame:

Discover 2 Corinthians 10:8

CONTEXT: What is the Context of 2 Corinthians 10:8?

MEANING: What does 2 Corinthians 10:8 Mean?

WORDS: What do the individual words in 2 Corinthians 10:8 mean?

RELATIONS: What do the major concepts mean in 2 Corinthians 10:8?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

For  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: 

What does 2 Corinthians 10:8 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Paul said he could have said more about his apostolic authority without feeling shame about exaggerating. The facts spoke for themselves. However he did not want to put that kind of pressure on his opponents in a letter. They had charged that it was only in his letters that he could express himself forcefully. His reference to his authority for building up here seems intended to contrast his edifying ministry in Corinth with the destructive work of his critics (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:17).
Paul had stressed the divine origin of his call and gospel when he defended himself to the Galatians ( Galatians 1:1; Galatians 1:11-12; Galatians 1:15-16). Here he stressed the divine origin of his authority ( 2 Corinthians 3:5-6; 2 Corinthians 13:10) and how he had used it for his readers" good.

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 10:8

Somewhat abundantly [περισσοτερον τι]
Comparative, “somewhat more abundantly” than I have, in order to show that he is as true a minister of Christ as his accusers are. Concessive (conditional) clause of third class. For εαν τε — ean te see note on Romans 14:8. [source]
I shall not be put to shame [ουκ αισχυντησομαι]
As a convicted impostor or pretentious boaster (Plummer). First future passive, singular number (not literary plural as in 2 Corinthians 10:7). [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Corinthians 10:8

2 Timothy 2:14 Lit. to nothing useful . Ἑπ ' οὐδὲν , oP. He uses εἰς κενόν to no purpose . See 2 Corinthians 6:1 ; Galatians 2:2 ; Philemon 2:16 ; 1 Thessalonians 3:5 . Χρήσιμος usefulN.T.o To the subverting [ἐπὶ καταστροφῇ]
Ἑπὶ does not mean here to or for (purpose or object). but indicates the ground on which the unprofitableness of the wordy strife rests. Unprofitable because it works subversion of the hearers. Καταστροφή subversiontransliterated into catastrophe, only here and 2 Peter 2:6. In lxx of the destruction or overthrow of men or cities. Καταστρέφειν tooverturn, Matthew 21:12; Mark 11:15; Acts 15:16, cit. Paul uses καθαίρεσις pullingdown, 2 Corinthians 10:4, 2 Corinthians 10:8; 2 Corinthians 13:10 [source]
2 Timothy 2:14 To no profit [ἐπ ' οὐδὲν χρήσιμον]
Lit. to nothing useful. Ἑπ ' οὐδὲν , oP. He uses εἰς κενόν tono purpose. See 2 Corinthians 6:1; Galatians 2:2; Philemon 2:16; 1 Thessalonians 3:5. Χρήσιμος usefulN.T.oTo the subverting ( ἐπὶ καταστροφῇ ) Ἑπὶ does not mean here to or for (purpose or object). but indicates the ground on which the unprofitableness of the wordy strife rests. Unprofitable because it works subversion of the hearers. Καταστροφή subversiontransliterated into catastrophe, only here and 2 Peter 2:6. In lxx of the destruction or overthrow of men or cities. Καταστρέφειν tooverturn, Matthew 21:12; Mark 11:15; Acts 15:16, cit. Paul uses καθαίρεσις pullingdown, 2 Corinthians 10:4, 2 Corinthians 10:8; 2 Corinthians 13:10 [source]

What do the individual words in 2 Corinthians 10:8 mean?

If even for more abundantly somewhat I should boast concerning the authority of us which has given [us] the Lord for building [you] up and not tearing down you I will be ashamed
ἐάν τε γὰρ περισσότερόν τι καυχήσωμαι περὶ τῆς ἐξουσίας ἡμῶν ἧς ἔδωκεν ὁ Κύριος εἰς οἰκοδομὴν καὶ οὐκ καθαίρεσιν ὑμῶν αἰσχυνθήσομαι

τε  even 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: τέ  
Sense: not only … but also.
περισσότερόν  more  abundantly 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Singular, Comparative
Root: περισσός  
Sense: exceeding some number or measure or rank or need.
τι  somewhat 
Parse: Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: τὶς  
Sense: a certain, a certain one.
καυχήσωμαι  I  should  boast 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Middle, 1st Person Singular
Root: καυχάομαι  
Sense: to glory (whether with reason or without).
περὶ  concerning 
Parse: Preposition
Root: περί 
Sense: about, concerning, on account of, because of, around, near.
ἐξουσίας  authority 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: ἐξουσία  
Sense: power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases.
ἡμῶν  of  us 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 1st Person Plural
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
ἔδωκεν  has  given  [us] 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: διδῶ 
Sense: to give.
Κύριος  Lord 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: κύριος  
Sense: he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord.
οἰκοδομὴν  building  [you]  up 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: οἰκοδομή  
Sense: (the act of) building, building up.
καθαίρεσιν  tearing  down 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: καθαίρεσις  
Sense: a pulling down, destruction, demolition.
αἰσχυνθήσομαι  I  will  be  ashamed 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Passive, 1st Person Singular
Root: αἰσχύνομαι  
Sense: to disfigure.

What are the major concepts related to 2 Corinthians 10:8?

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Similar Scriptures for 2 Corinthians 10:8

2 Corinthians 13:10 [6]
Galatians 1:1 [3]
2 Timothy 1:12 [3]
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