2 COR 10:2 Parallel Verse View

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Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) and I beg you so that when I come I won’t have to be as bold as I’m expecting to counter those who consider us to be motivated by worldly desires.

Key: khaki:verbs, orange:accusative/object, cyan:dative/indirect object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT Now I am pleading that, being present, I will not need to be bold with the confidence with which I plan to be courageous against some of the ones regarding us as walking according to the flesh.

UST I do intend to be forceful when I boldly act against these people who think that I and those who serve with me act in merely human ways. So, I ask you to do what is right so that I will not need to be forceful with you too when I visit you.

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 flesh.

AICNT and I ask that when I am not present, I may be bold with the confidence with which I think to be daring against some who consider us as walking according to the flesh.

OEB I implore you not to drive me to ‘show my boldness,’ when I do come, by the confident tone which I expect to have to adopt towards some of you, who are expecting to find us influenced in our conduct by earthly motives.

WEBBE 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.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET now I ask that when I am present I may not have to be bold with the confidence that (I expect) I will dare to use against some who consider us to be behaving according to human standards.

LSV and I implore [you], that, being present, I may not have courage, with the confidence with which I reckon to be bold against certain reckoning us as walking according to the flesh;

FBV I'm pleading with you, so that the next time I'm with you I won't have to be as tough as I think I'll have to be, boldly dealing with those who think we behave in worldly ways.

TCNT I ask that when I am present I need not show boldness by daring to oppose those who think that we walk according to the flesh.

T4T I strongly plead with you, “Please do not listen to people who say things like that!” I strongly plead with you not to listen to them, so that when I am there with you I will not need to speak severely to you in the same severe way as I plan to speak to those people who think that I behave like people who are not believers.

LEB now I ask when I[fn] am present that I will not need to be bold with the confidence with which I propose to show boldness toward some who consider us as behaving according to the flesh.

10:2 *Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“am present”) which is understood as temporal

BBE Yes, I make my request to you, so that when I am with you I may not have to make use of the authority which may be needed against some to whom we seem to be walking after the flesh.

Moff I beg of you that when I do come I may not have to speak out and be peremptory; but my mind is made up to tackle certain people who have made up their minds that I move on the low level of the flesh.

Wymth I beseech you not to compel me when present to make a bold display of the confidence with which I reckon I shall show my `courage' against some who reckon that we are guided by worldly principles.

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.

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

YLT and I beseech [you], that, being present, I may not have courage, with the confidence with which I reckon to be bold against certain reckoning us as walking according to the flesh;

Drby 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.

RV yea, I beseech you, that I may not when present shew courage with the confidence wherewith I count to be bold against some, which count of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
(yea, I beseech/implore you, that I may not when present show courage with the confidence wherewith I count to be bold against some, which count of us as if we walked according to the flesh. )

SLT And I pray, being present, not to be bold with the confidence which I reckon to encounter against certain, reckoning us as walking about according to the flesh.

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

KJB-1769 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.
(But I beseech/implore 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. )

KJB-1611 But I beseech you, that I may not bee bold when I am present, with that confidence wherewith I thinke to be bold against some, which [fn]thinke of vs as if wee walked according to the flesh.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from punctuation and footnotes)

10:2 Or, reckon.

Bshps I beseche you, that I neede not to be bolde when I am present, with that same boldnesse, wherwith I am supposed to haue ben bolde, agaynst some, which repute vs as though we walked accordyng to the fleshe.
(I beseech/implore you, that I need not to be bold when I am present, with that same boldness, wherewith I am supposed to have been bolde, against some, which repute us as though we walked according to the flesh.)

Gnva And this I require you, that I neede not to be bolde when I am present, with that same confidence, wherewith I thinke to bee bolde against some, which esteeme vs as though wee walked according to the flesh.
(And this I require you, that I need not to be bold when I am present, with that same confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which esteem us as though we walked according to the flesh. )

Cvdl I beseke you that I nede not be bolde whan I am present, & to vse yt boldnesse wherwith I am supposed to be bolde, agaynst some, which repute vs as though we walked after ye flesh:
(I beseke you that I need not be bold when I am present, and to use it boldness wherewith I am supposed to be bolde, against some, which repute us as though we walked after ye/you_all flesh:)

TNT I besech you that I nede not to be bolde when I am present (with that same confidence wher with I am supposed to be bolde) agaynst some which repute vs as though we walked carnally.
(I besech you that I need not to be bold when I am present (with that same confidence wher with I am supposed to be bolde) against some which repute us as though we walked carnally. )

Wycl For Y preie you, that lest Y present be not bold bi the trist, in which Y am gessid to be bold in to summe, that demen vs, as if we wandren aftir the fleisch.
(For I pray you, that lest I present be not bold by the trusted, in which I am gessid to be bold in to some, that demen us, as if we wandren after the flesh.)

Luth Ich bitte aber, daß mir nicht not sei, gegenwärtig türstig zu handeln und der Kühnheit zu brauchen, die man mir zumisset, gegen etliche, die uns schätzen, als wandelten wir fleischlicherweise.
(I please but, that to_me not not be, currently türstig to/for act/trade(v) and the/of_the Kühnheit to/for brauchen, the man to_me for_theisset, to/against several, the us/to_us/ourselves appreciate/treasure(v), as walked/strolled we/us fleshly/carnalweise.)

ClVg Rogo autem vos ne præsens audeam per eam confidentiam, qua existimor audere in quosdam, qui arbitrantur nos tamquam secundum carnem ambulemus.
(Rogo however you(pl) not present audeam through her confidence, which existimor audere in/into/on some, who/which they_think us as_if after/second the_flesh ambulemus. )

UGNT δέομαι δὲ τὸ μὴ, παρὼν θαρρῆσαι τῇ πεποιθήσει ᾗ λογίζομαι, τολμῆσαι ἐπί τινας τοὺς λογιζομένους ἡμᾶς, ὡς κατὰ σάρκα περιπατοῦντας.
(deomai de to maʸ, parōn tharraʸsai taʸ pepoithaʸsei haʸ logizomai, tolmaʸsai epi tinas tous logizomenous haʸmas, hōs kata sarka peripatountas.)

SBL-GNT δέομαι δὲ τὸ μὴ παρὼν θαρρῆσαι τῇ πεποιθήσει ᾗ λογίζομαι τολμῆσαι ἐπί τινας τοὺς λογιζομένους ἡμᾶς ὡς κατὰ σάρκα περιπατοῦντας.
(deomai de to maʸ parōn tharraʸsai taʸ pepoithaʸsei haʸ logizomai tolmaʸsai epi tinas tous logizomenous haʸmas hōs kata sarka peripatountas.)

RP-GNT δέομαι δέ, τὸ μὴ παρὼν θαρρῆσαι τῇ πεποιθήσει ᾗ λογίζομαι τολμῆσαι ἐπί τινας τοὺς λογιζομένους ἡμᾶς ὡς κατὰ σάρκα περιπατοῦντας.
(deomai de, to maʸ parōn tharraʸsai taʸ pepoithaʸsei haʸ logizomai tolmaʸsai epi tinas tous logizomenous haʸmas hōs kata sarka peripatountas.)

TC-GNT δέομαι δέ, τὸ μὴ παρὼν θαρρῆσαι τῇ πεποιθήσει ᾗ λογίζομαι τολμῆσαι ἐπί τινας τοὺς λογιζομένους ἡμᾶς ὡς κατὰ σάρκα περιπατοῦντας.
(deomai de, to maʸ parōn tharraʸsai taʸ pepoithaʸsei haʸ logizomai tolmaʸsai epi tinas tous logizomenous haʸmas hōs kata sarka peripatountas. )

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, orange:accents differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 10:1–18: Paul defended his ministry

In this section, Paul asked the believers in Corinth to live in obedience to their faith, or he might have to rebuke or discipline some (10:1–2). He explained how a believer fights against those who oppose God (10:3–4) and how to rebuke them as well as correct a disobedient believer (10:5–6).

He told them to understand their situation, including Paul’s authority (10:7–8). He explained that he was forceful in his letters, and that he would be forceful in person if he had to be (10:9–11).

He told them that people who commend themselves are not wise (10:12). He explained that he boasted only in proper ways. One of those ways was boasting about the faith of people whom he had helped become believers, which included those in Corinth (10:13–15a). He told them that he hoped to preach the gospel in more regions (10:15b–16a). He explained further about proper things to boast about (10:16b–17). Lastly, he told them that God approves of people according to what God himself says in favor of them and not what a person boasts about himself (10:18).

Other examples of headings for this section are:

Paul’s reply to accusations of weakness (NJB)

Paul Describes Himself (NASB)

Paul responded to some who had criticized him

10:2a–d

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: These words indicate that:

The people whom Paul calls those who presume had come to Corinth while he was away and falsely claimed that Paul and the other evangelists lived according to the flesh rather than following the gospel of Jesus. These people were trying to make the believers reject Paul as their leader (10:10, 11:5). These people wanted to be leaders over the believers (11:4) and lead them away from the true gospel of Jesus (11:13, 20).
Paul knew that these people were liars and false teachers. He expected to confront them boldly and force them by God’s power to repent or leave when he went to Corinth.
He asked the believers to reject these false teachers and not follow them. If they did follow them, he would have to confront the believers boldly as well.

In some languages it is more natural to translate this verse in the order of the events as they occurred. For example:

^2cSome people ^2dpresume that we live according to the flesh. ^2cI expect to be bold toward them to make them repent or leave ^2awhen I come. I beg you that ^2bI do not have to be so bold with you.

10:2a

I beg you that when I come

I urgently ask that when I am there
I strongly request from you^(plur) that after/when I arrive

I beg you: The word beg here refers to asking people with a great desire. Paul asked the believers in Corinth to take care of the problems there. That was what he implied when he told them that he did not want to be bold with any of the believers there. Other ways to translate this clause are:

I urgently ask

my appeal to you is (NJB)

you: The BSB and many English versions add the pronoun you here. It is clearly implied from 10:1a. But the meaning may be clear in your language without repeating the implied pronoun here.

when I come: The Greek word that the BSB translates as when I come is literally “being present.” The Greek word refers to the time Paul would be staying with the believers in Corinth. This would be after he had sent the letter and then traveled to Corinth. Other ways to translate this Greek word are:

in your presence (JBP)

when I am with you (GW)

after I arrive

10:2b

I may not need to be as bold

I should not have to be bold with the confidence
I will not need to be outspoken

I may not need to be as bold: The Greek words are literally: “not to be bold in the confidence.” Paul expected to be confident when he was bold. For example:

I may not have to show boldness with such confidence (RSV)

as bold: Here the word bold refers to openly and forcefully opposing someone. If possible, you should use the same word here as in 10:1b.

The context implies that Paul would boldly deal with anyone sinning in connection with the false teachers. In some languages it is more natural to refer to the implied information. For example:

as bold when acting against sinners

as bold when dealing with such problems

10:2c

as I expect toward those

that I plan to be bold against certain people
as I certainly will be against those

I expect: The Greek words are literally “I consider to have the courage.” Paul had thought about it and had decided that he would be bold/courageous toward the false teachers. He would boldly oppose them and probably show by God’s power that they were not appointed by God. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

I propose to be courageous (NASB)

by daring to (NRSV)

I expect I will have to be firm and forceful (CEV)

I am sure I can deal harshly (GNT)

those: This word refers to the false teachers who had come to Corinth. Paul did not call them “false teachers” here, but he described them in 10:2d so the believers in Corinth would know exactly to whom he was referring. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

certain people

some people (NIV)

10:2d

who presume that we live according to the flesh.

who claim that we^(excl) act in a worldly fashion.
who falsely say that we behave like people who do not follow God.

presume: In this context the word presume refers to believing something. The false teachers claimed that Paul lived by the standards of this world, but they were wrong. Other ways of translating this word are:

consider

claim

according to the flesh: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates literally as according to the flesh probably refers to doing things as people who do not believe in God would do them. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

in worldly fashion (RSV)

guided by human motives (NJB)

according to human standards (NRSV)

in a worldly way (NCV)

in a way people who do not know God do things

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

δὲ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: δέομαι Δέ τό μή παρών θαρρῆσαι τῇ πεποιθήσει ᾗ λογίζομαι τολμῆσαι ἐπί τινάς τούς λογιζομένους ἡμάς ὡς κατά σάρκα περιπατοῦντας)

Here, the word Now introduces a development of the ideas from the previous verse. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces a development, or you could leave Now untranslated. Alternate translation: [Yes,] or [In fact,]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / extrainfo

μὴ & θαρρῆσαι τῇ πεποιθήσει ᾗ

Here Paul includes both the action of being bold and the confidence with which he performs the action. He includes both of these elements because it makes the statement stronger. If your readers would find the repetition confusing, or if the repetition does not make the statement stronger, you could use just one of the terms and make the statement strong in another way. Alternate translation: [I will not need to be very bold, which is how] or [I will not need to have the great confidence with which]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

τῇ πεποιθήσει ᾗ

˱with˲_the confidence ˱with˲_which

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of confidence, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [and confident in the way that]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

τολμῆσαι

˓to˒_dare

Here Paul implies that he will be courageous as he argues against or defends himself against the people who are saying bad things about him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this idea more explicit. Alternate translation: [to be courageous when I argue] or [to courageously defend myself]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

τινας τοὺς λογιζομένους

Here Paul refers to people who are often called “the opponents.” It is not clear whether these people are some of the Corinthians or whether they have visited the Corinthians. What is clear is that they are saying bad things about Paul and claiming to have greater authority and a better gospel. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make the idea more explicit. Alternate translation: [our opponents who regard] or [any people who regard]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

περιπατοῦντας

walking

Paul uses the term walking to speak of behavior in life. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [acting] or [living our lives]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

κατὰ σάρκα

Here Paul uses the phrase according to the flesh to refer to human ways of thinking and acting. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea by using a phrase that refers to human values or perspectives. Alternate translation: [according to what humans value] or [according to a human perspective]