II Corinthians 13:10 · Bible study
2 Corinthians 13:10 Commentary: Authority for Building Up
Greek · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Paul explains why he writes sternly while absent: his apostolic authority is for building up, not tearing down.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Paul writes sternly while absent to avoid needing to use severe discipline when present, because his authority is for building up.
- Key words: apotomos (sharply/severely), exousia (authority), oikodomē (building up), kathairesis (tearing down).
- Main debate: Whether Paul’s apostolic authority included the power to inflict physical punishment (as suggested by Gill with Ananias and Sapphira) or whether it refers solely to severe reproof and removal from the community.
- Theological theme: Spiritual authority is given for the constructive purpose of edification, not for destruction; discipline aims at restoration.
- Best use: A key text for understanding the proper goal of church discipline and pastoral leadership.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
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.
WEB World English Bible 2000
For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not deal sharply when present, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.
KJV King James Version 1769
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.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not when present deal sharply, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for casting down.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
because of this, these things--being absent--I write, that being present, I may not treat any sharply, according to the authority that the Lord did give me for building up, and not for casting down.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
On this account I write these things being absent, that being present I may not use severity according to the authority which the Lord has given me for building up, and not for overthrowing.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
Therefore I write these things, being absent, that, being present, I may not deal more severely, according to the power which the Lord hath given me unto edification and not unto destruction.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Por tanto os escribo esto ausente, por no tratar presente con dureza, conforme á la potestad que el Señor me ha dado para edificación, y no para destrucción.
Por isso eu escrevo estas coisas ausente; para que, quando estiver presente não use de rigor, segundo o poder que o Senhor tem me dado, para edificação, e não para destruição.
C’ est pourquoi j’ écris ces choses étant absent, afin que, présent, je n’aie pas à user de rigueur, selon l’ autorité que le Seigneur m’ a donnée pour l’ édification et non pour la destruction.
Derhalben schreibe ich auch solches abwesend, auf daß ich nicht, wenn ich gegenwärtig bin, Schärfe brauchen müsse nach der Macht, welche mir der HERR, zu bessern und nicht zu verderben, gegeben hat.
Daarom schrijf ik, afwezende, deze dingen, opdat ik niet, tegenwoordig zijnde, strengheid zou gebruiken, naar de macht, die mij de Heere gegeven heeft tot opbouwing, en niet tot nederwerping.
Perciò vi scrivo queste cose mentre sono assente, affinché, quando sarò presente, io non abbia a procedere rigorosamente secondo l’autorità che il Signore mi ha data per edificare, e non per distruggere.
Przetoż to piszę, nie będąc obecny, abym będąc obecnym, nie musiał używać srogości według mocy, którą mi dał Pan na zbudowanie, a nie na zepsowanie.
Для того я и пишу сие в отсутствии, чтобы в присутствии не употребить строгости по власти, данной мне Господом к созиданию, а не к разорению.
所以，我不在你們那裡的時候，把這話 寫給你們，好叫我見你們的時候，不用 照 主 所給 我 的權柄 嚴厲地 待你們。這權柄原是為 造就人，並 不是 為 敗壞人。
For this cause I am writing these things while I am away, so that there may be need for me, when I am present, to make use of sharp measures, by the authority which the Lord has given me for building up and not for destruction.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · II Corinthians 13:10
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that Paul writes this verse to explain his apparently harsh tone. His goal is to prevent the need for severe discipline when he visits. Barnes says this is an apology for the strong language he had to use. Clarke notes that “sharpness” (apotomia) means “a cutting off”, the kind of judgment Paul could exercise. Calvin stresses that Paul would rather use his power for building up, because that is its proper purpose. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown capture the logic: Paul prefers sharpness in his letters rather than in deeds, because his authority is for edification, not destruction. The shared conviction is that apostolic authority is a tool for restoration, not punishment.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: Paul’s apostolic authority is given by the Lord for building up, not tearing down, and his purpose in writing is to avoid the need for severe discipline when he arrives.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Nature of apostolic authority | Paul’s authority came from the Lord and was meant for building up the church, not for tearing it down. | Some traditions emphasize that this authority included the power to impose supernatural penalties (Gill), while others see it as limited to teaching, rebuke, and excommunication (Barnes, Calvin). |
| Purpose of severe discipline (sharpness) | Paul hopes to avoid having to use sharpness when present; his letter is a warning meant to bring repentance. | The exact nature of ‘sharpness’ is debated: Clarke and Vincent note the root meaning of ‘cutting off,’ while others (Jamieson-Fausset-Brown) see it as strong verbal reproof. Some, like Gill, think it includes supernatural punishment such as delivering to Satan. |
| Application to non-apostolic church leaders | All Christians agree that church leaders must exercise authority with the goal of building up the body. | Catholic and Orthodox traditions see bishops as successors to the apostles with analogous authority; most Protestant traditions limit such authority to the preaching of the Word and the administration of discipline within the congregation. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Paul wrote 2 Corinthians from Macedonia, likely Philippi, after the uproar at Ephesus (Acts 20:1). The Corinthian church was known for wealth, moral looseness, and deep divisions. False teachers had questioned Paul’s authority as an apostle, forcing him to defend his role. He had threatened to come with a rod (1 Corinthians 4:21) but delayed his visit to give them time to repent.
In this closing section (2 Corinthians 13), Paul is making a final appeal. The Greek adverb apotomos (“sharply”) literally means “abruptly” or “with a cutting off”, a surgical removal, not mere sternness. The word for “authority” (exousia) is the same term Jesus used when sending out his disciples (Mark 6:7). Paul says this authority was given by the Lord (kurios), Christ himself, for a specific purpose. The preposition eis (“for”) introduces two contrasting nouns: oikodomēn (building up) and kathairesin (tearing down). The second word was used for demolishing a building or pulling down a fortress. Paul frames his entire ministry as constructive, not destructive.
The cultural setting is important: in a city that prized status and power, Paul presents authority as a trust given for others’ benefit. He would rather be seen as weak than use his power to tear down the very people he is called to build up.
Textual Notes
No significant textual variants are noted in the supplied sources for this verse. The Greek text is stable across the major manuscript traditions.
Reception History
The early church read this verse as a model for episcopal authority, power exercised for building up, not for personal severity. The Reformers, especially Calvin, emphasized the pastoral intention: authority is given for edification, and its use must be limited by that purpose. In the modern period, this verse is often cited in discussions of restorative church discipline, where the goal is the spiritual growth of the community, not its destruction. Hymns that echo this theme include those that speak of shepherding with gentle strength, though no single hymn is universally linked to this verse.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Paul’s Strategy: Warning to Avoid Judgment. He writes sternly while absent so that when he arrives he will not have to “use sharpness.” The letter itself is a mercy, a chance to repent before discipline comes.
- The Purpose of Authority: Building Up. Paul’s authority comes from Christ and is designed for edification, not destruction. Discipline is not an end in itself; it serves the spiritual health of the church.
- The Pastoral Heart: Love Prefers the Gentle Path. Paul would rather write hard words than do hard deeds. His first move is always warning and appeal, not punishment.
Five-point outline
- Context of Conflict. The Corinthian church struggled with division, immorality, and false teaching. Paul’s authority had been challenged.
- The Preemptive Letter. Paul writes to forestall a painful confrontation. His words are chosen to restore, not condemn.
- Nature of Authority. It is delegated by Christ and carries weight. But it has clear boundaries: it is “for building up, not for tearing down.”
- Goal of Discipline. The aim is the church’s perfection (v.9). Sharpness would be a last resort, not the first tool.
- Personal Cost. Paul rejoices when he is weak and they are strong (v.9). He absorbs the pain of writing harshly so that they can flourish.
Illustration hooks
- A parent who sets clear consequences for a child’s behavior, hoping the warning will spare the child from actual punishment. The hard conversation is a form of love.
- A doctor who prescribes strong medicine to avoid the need for surgery. The warning is meant for healing.
- A manager who writes a frank memo about performance expectations, giving the employee space to improve before termination is considered.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Does God’s authority always feel like a threat, or can it be a protection?
- How do we know when church discipline is loving versus when it has become destructive?
- If Paul could “deal sharply,” why didn’t he just use his power right away? What does that say about God’s patience?
Leading a Discussion
Paul wrote this verse to explain his method of dealing with conflict in the church. His words reveal a heart that prefers warning over punishment, restoration over demolition.
Discussion questions
- What does Paul say he is doing while he is absent? What does he hope to avoid when he is present?
- Look at the words “sharply” (apotomos) and “authority” (exousia). How do these terms shape your understanding of the kind of discipline Paul could have used?
- Why does Paul mention where his authority comes from? How does that change the way it should be used?
- What do you think “building up” looks like in a church community? What does “tearing down” look like?
- How does this verse fit with what Paul says in verses 7, 9 about wanting the Corinthians to do no evil and to become perfect?
- Think of a time when a warning prevented a more serious problem. How might that experience help you understand Paul’s approach?
- How can church leaders today exercise authority in a way that builds up rather than tears down? What does that require from the rest of the congregation?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| I Corinthians 4:21 | What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness? |
| II Corinthians 2:3 | And I wrote this very thing to you, so that when I came, I wouldn’t have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all that my joy would be shared by all of you. |
| II Corinthians 10:2 | 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. |
| II Corinthians 10:8 | For even if I boast somewhat abundantly concerning our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for casting you down, I will not be ashamed, |
| II Corinthians 12:20 | For I am afraid that perhaps when I come, I might find you not the way I want to, and that I might be found by you as you don’t desire, that perhaps there would be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts, or riots, |
| II Corinthians 12:21 | that again when I come my God would humble me before you, and I would mourn for many of those who have sinned before now, and not repented of the uncleanness, sexual immorality, and lustfulness which they committed. |
| II Corinthians 13:2 | I have warned previously, and I warn again, as when I was present the second time, so now, being absent, I write to those who have sinned before now and to all the rest that if I come again, I will not spare, |
| II Corinthians 13:8 | For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
8 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke draws attention to Paul's choice of the Greek word apotomia, meaning a cutting off, to describe the disciplinary power he holds. The apostle writes ahead of his visit not to threaten but to warn, so that his authority, given by God for building up rather than tearing down, will not need to be used harshly in person.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes sees Paul's letter as a careful apology, explaining that the apostle's harsh words were meant to prevent the need for actual severity when he arrives. Paul writes firmly now so he will not have to use the disciplinary authority Christ gave him.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin stresses that Paul's authority is meant for building up believers, not punishing them. While Paul could justly strike the Corinthians, his power is designed for their salvation, and any destruction that results comes from their own failure, not God's intent.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge Bible for Schools clarifies that the word translated as "power" in this passage properly means "authority." Paul's apostolic authority is consistently directed toward building up believers, not tearing them down, as the repeated phrase "to edification" shows throughout his letters
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
Paul writes his letter while absent to spare the Corinthians from the sharp discipline he could bring in person. The authority Christ gave him is meant for building them up, not tearing them down, so he chooses the gentler path of writing first.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill notes that Paul writes this letter while absent to spare the Corinthians from having to use his apostolic authority harshly in person. He stresses that even the most severe discipline, such as striking someone dead or handing them over to Satan, was meant for their salvation and the edification of the church, not for their destruction.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry stresses that Paul's deepest prayer was not for his own good name but for the Corinthians to do what is honest and honorable even if it left Paul himself looking unapproved. For Henry, a faithful minister cares more about the gospel's reputation than his own.
Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887
Vincent stresses that "use sharpness" should be more literally rendered "deal sharply," bringing out the force of the adverb rather than the noun. He points to the related word for severity in Romans 11:22 to reinforce this sense of decisive, direct action.