Not Terrified by Letters 2 Corinthians 10:9

Paul the apostle told the church members in Corinth he and his companions, “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:”. In chapter ten and verse nine of Second Corinthians, Paul shares with the church members how he would “not seem as if” he “would terrify” them “by letters” where we read:

That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.

The verse begins, “That I may not seem as if I would terrify you ...” Paul began with the words, “that I may not seem” which means “so Paul would not be of opinion, think, suppose and be accounted and reputed” “as if” or “like and equal to” “I would terrify” which means “Paul would frighten or throw into violent flight” “you” or “the church members”. Paul did not want to “seem” as though he would make the church members run away in terror or be afraid.

The verse goes on to say, “...by letters.” Paul added the word, “by or “through and with” “letters” which means “epistles” . Paul did not desire to make the church members “fearful” by what he wrote to them.

When we think through these words of Paul, we see how his desire was not to “terrorize” the church members, but to motivate them toward godly behavior. Paul's letters promoted the relationship with Jesus Christ that is in keeping with God's ways, and when the church members humbled themselves, submitted and obeyed his instructions, they were benefited by them. We should always seek to “build up” one another in the church, and whether we write or speak, let all we do give glory to the Lord Jesus and not be used to “terrorize” one another or make each other “fearful”.

Next time we see Paul tells the church members how people say his, “letters...are weighty and powerful”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then,

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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