Boasting and Not Ashamed 2 Corinthians 10:8

Paul the apostle asked the church members in Corinth, “Do you look on things after the outward appearance? He added, “If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's”. In chapter ten and verse eight of Second Corinthians, Paul pleads with the church members “though I should boast” he “should not be ashamed” with them where we read:

For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord has given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:.

The verse begins, “For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord has given us for edification,” Paul began with the words, “for though” which means “even as, indeed, seeing then, no doubt, verily and therefore if or in case” “I should boast” or “Paul vaunted, gloried, rejoiced and had joy” “somewhat more” which means “certain ones exceeding, above, more than necessary, abundantly and supremely” “of our authority” or “of Paul and his companions' power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases, ability or strength with which one is endued”, “which the Lord” or “that he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master and the title given to God the Messiah” “has given us” which means “has bestowed upon and granted Paul and his companions” “for edification” or “unto and towards building up”. Paul referred to how he could have used his “authority” over the church members that God provided to he and his companions to build up the church.

The verse continued, “and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:.” Paul continued with the words, “and not” or “and in no wise” “for your destruction” which means “unto and toward the church members' pulling down and demolition”, “I should not” or “Paul would in no way” “be ashamed” which means “be disfigured, dishonored and suffuse with shame”. Paul did not receive his “authority” to “destroy” the church which would have brought “shame” to him.

When we meditate upon these words of Paul, we see how he did not abuse his “power” as a leader over the church. “Authority” was given to he and his companions to “build up” the church and not to “destroy” it which would have caused him “shame”. Jesus Christ gives gifts to leaders to “edify” the church, and there should never be misuse of it. May all leaders within churches read these words and take heed.

Next time we see Paul tells the church members, “I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then,

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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