2 Corinthians 10:2

1 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:

But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
I beg you that when I come I may not need to be as bold as I expect toward those who presume that we live according to the flesh.
KJV
But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
WEB
Yes, I beg you that I may not, when present, show courage with the confidence with which I intend to be bold against some, who consider us to be walking according to the flesh.
ASV
yea, I beseech you, that I may not when present show courage with the confidence wherewith I count to be bold against some, who count of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
DARBY
but I beseech that present I may not be bold with the confidence with which I think to be daring towards some who think of us as walking according to flesh.
BLB
Now I implore [you] that being present, [I need] not to be bold with the confidence with which I reckon to be daring toward some reckoning us as walking according to the flesh.
ÅB
men jeg ber om at når jeg nå kommer, må jeg slippe for å være djerv med den frimodighet hvormed jeg akter å gå dristig fram mot somme folk som akter oss for slike som vandrer på kjødelig vis.
OTB
Jeg håper at når jeg er hos dere, vil jeg ikke trenge å være så modig som jeg planlegger å være mot noen som tror vi lever etter denne verdens standarder.
B1930
men jeg ber om at når jeg nu kommer, må jeg slippe for å være djerv med den frimodighet hvormed jeg akter å gå dristig frem mot somme folk som akter oss for slike som vandrer på kjødelig vis.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 2 Corinthians 13:10

    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.

    Read in context
  • 2 Corinthians 13:2

    I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare:

    Read in context
  • Galatians 5:16–25

    This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

    Read in context
  • Ephesians 2:2–3

    Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

    Read in context
  • 1 Corinthians 4:18–21

    Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.

    Read in context
  • 2 Corinthians 12:13–20

    For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.

    Read in context
  • Romans 8:1

    There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

    Read in context
  • Romans 8:5

    For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

    Read in context