2 Corinthians 10:8

For 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.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian church during a dispute over his apostolic standing, responding to critics who measure ministry by visible credentials rather than spiritual function.

The words — καυχήσωμαι (kauchēsōmai) translates literally as "I shall boast," and περισσσότερον (perissoteron) means "more excessive" or "excessively," marking his deliberate framing of apostolic authority.

The thread — The intersection of unashamed confidence and edifying authority appears in 2 Corinthians 13:10, 2 Timothy 1:12, and 2 Corinthians 1:24, where boldness is consistently directed toward strengthening believers rather than exercising control.

Why it lands — It requires readers to judge leadership by its constructive outcome, accept God-ordained responsibility without flinching, and reject intimidation as a measure of spiritual power.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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:

Cross-references

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 Timothy 1:12 For this reason, even though I suffer as I do, I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day.
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.
2 Corinthians 12:6 Even if I wanted to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me,
2 Corinthians 13:2 I already warned you the second time I was with you. So now in my absence I warn those who sinned earlier and everyone else: If I return, I will not spare anyone,
2 Corinthians 13:8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.
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—
2 Corinthians 7:14 Indeed, I was not embarrassed by anything I had boasted to him about you. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting to Titus has proved to be true as well.