Paul's Apostolic Authority …8For even if I boast somewhat excessively about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed.9I do not want to seemto betrying to frightenyoubymyletters.10For some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but his physical presence is unimpressive, and his speaking is of no account.”…
2 Corinthians 13:10 This is why I write these things while absent, so that when I am present I will not need to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.
2 Corinthians 1:24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but we are fellow workers with you for your joy, because it is by faith that you stand firm.
1 Corinthians 4:21 Which do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and with a gentle spirit?
1 Corinthians 5:3-5 Although I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit, and I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present. / When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, along with the power of the Lord Jesus, / hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the Day of the Lord.
1 Corinthians 9:1-2 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you yourselves not my workmanship in the Lord? / Even if I am not an apostle to others, surely I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 14:37-38 If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is the Lord’s command. / But if anyone ignores this, he himself will be ignored.
Galatians 1:1 Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead—
Galatians 4:20 how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you.
1 Thessalonians 2:6 Nor did we seek praise from you or from anyone else, although as apostles of Christ we had authority to demand it.
1 Timothy 1:20 Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.
Titus 1:13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sternly, so that they will be sound in the faith
Acts 20:31 Therefore be alert and remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.
Acts 26:16-18 ‘But get up and stand on your feet. For I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen from Me and what I will show you. / I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them / to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’
Matthew 18:15-17 If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. / But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ / If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, regard him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
Matthew 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. / Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, / and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
2 Corinthians 10:10 Forhis letters, say they,are weighty and powerful; buthis bodily presenceis weak, andhis speech contemptible.
1 Corinthians 4:5,19-21 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God…
I do not want to seem Paul is addressing concerns about his intentions and the perception of his authority. In the context of 2 Corinthians, Paul is defending his apostolic authority against accusations from false apostles. This phrase indicates his desire to clarify his motives and ensure that his actions are not misunderstood. The Greek word used here for "seem" (dokeō) can imply appearance or reputation, suggesting Paul is concerned about how his actions are perceived by the Corinthian church.
to be trying to frighten you Paul's letters, particularly 1 Corinthians, contained strong rebukes and corrections. His intention was not to instill fear but to guide and correct the church in love. The cultural context of the time valued rhetoric and persuasive speech, and Paul was aware that his written words might be perceived as harsh or intimidating. His goal was to encourage repentance and spiritual growth, not to cause fear or anxiety.
by my letters Paul's letters were a primary means of communication with the early churches he established. These letters were authoritative and carried the weight of his apostolic authority. In2 Corinthians 10:10, Paul acknowledges that some considered his letters "weighty and forceful," contrasting with his physical presence, which was described as "unimpressive." This highlights the tension between written communication and personal presence in the early church. The letters were intended to instruct, correct, and build up the church, aligning with the broader scriptural theme of God using written revelation to communicate His will, as seen throughout the Bible.
Persons / Places / Events
1.Paul the Apostle The author of the letter, addressing the Corinthian church. He is defending his ministry and authority as an apostle of Christ.
2.Corinthian Church The recipients of the letter, a Christian community in Corinth, known for its diverse and sometimes problematic congregation.
3.Paul's Letters Refers to the epistles Paul wrote to the Corinthians, which were sometimes perceived as harsh or authoritative.
4.Corinth A major city in ancient Greece, known for its wealth and moral challenges, providing a backdrop for the issues Paul addresses.
5.False Apostles Individuals in Corinth who questioned Paul's authority and sought to undermine his teachings.
Teaching Points
Understanding Paul's Intent Paul’s letters were not meant to intimidate but to correct and guide. His intent was always to build up the church, not to instill fear.
The Role of Authority in the Church Paul’s authority as an apostle was given by God for the purpose of edification. Church leaders today should exercise their authority with the same intent.
Balancing Truth and Love While truth must be spoken, it should always be done in love. Paul’s example shows the importance of balancing firmness with compassion.
Responding to Criticism Paul faced criticism and opposition, yet he remained steadfast in his mission. Believers can learn to respond to criticism with grace and truth.
The Power of Written Communication Paul’s letters had a significant impact. In our digital age, the written word still holds power and should be used responsibly to encourage and edify.
(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 in1Corinthians 5:9, but does not absolutely prove it.
I do not want to seem δόξω(doxō) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Singular Strong's 1380:A prolonged form of a primary verb, doko dok'-o of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem.
to be ὡς(hōs) Adverb Strong's 5613:Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.
[trying] to frighten ἐκφοβεῖν(ekphobein) Verb - Present Infinitive Active Strong's 1629:To frighten away, terrify. From ek and phobeo; to frighten utterly.
you ὑμᾶς(hymas) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.
by διὰ(dia) Preposition Strong's 1223:A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.
[my] τῶν(tōn) Article - Genitive Feminine Plural Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.
letters. ἐπιστολῶν(epistolōn) Noun - Genitive Feminine Plural Strong's 1992:A letter, dispatch, epistle, message. From epistello; a written message.
