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2 Corinthians 10:2-6
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
2 Corinthians 10:2-6
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
2 [a](A)I beg you that, when present, I may not have to be brave with that confidence with which I intend to act boldly against some who consider us as acting according to the flesh. 3 For, although we are in the flesh, we do not battle according to the flesh,[b] 4 for the weapons of our battle are not of flesh but are enormously powerful, capable of destroying fortresses. We destroy arguments(B) 5 and every pretension raising itself against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive in obedience to Christ, 6 and we are ready to punish every disobedience, once your obedience is complete.(C)
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- 10:2b–4a Flesh: the Greek word sarx can express both the physical life of the body without any pejorative overtones (as in “we are in the flesh,” 3) and our natural life insofar as it is marked by limitation and weakness (as in the other expressions) in contrast to the higher life and power conferred by the Spirit; cf. note on 1 Cor 3:1. The wordplay is intended to express the paradoxical situation of a life already taken over by the Spirit but not yet seen as such except by faith. Lack of empirical evidence of the Spirit permits misunderstanding and misjudgment, but Paul resolutely denies that his behavior and effectiveness are as limited as some suppose.
- 10:3b–6 Paul is involved in combat. The strong military language and imagery are both an assertion of his confidence in the divine power at his disposal and a declaration of war against those who underestimate his resources. The threat is echoed in 2 Cor 13:2–3.
2 Corinthians 10:2-6
New International Version
2 Corinthians 10:2-6
New International Version
2 I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold(A) as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world.(B) 3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.(C) 4 The weapons we fight with(D) are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power(E) to demolish strongholds.(F) 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God,(G) and we take captive every thought to make it obedient(H) to Christ. 6 And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.(I)
New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)
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