2 Corinthians 10:7-8 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Corinthians 10:7-11

In these verses the apostle proceeds to reason the case with the Corinthians, in opposition to those who despised him, judged him, and spoke hardly of him: ?Do you,? says he, ?look on things after the outward appearance? 2 Cor. 10:7. Isa. this a fit measure or rule to make an estimate of things or persons by, and to judge between me and my adversaries?? In outward appearance, Paul was mean and despicable with some; he did not make a figure, as perhaps some of his competitors might do: but this... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Corinthians 10:7-18

10:7-18 Look at what lies in front of you. If anyone confidently believes that he belongs to Christ, let him examine his own case again, because, just as he belongs to Christ, so do we also. If I make what might look like excessive claims about our authority--that authority which the Lord gave us to upbuild you and not to destroy you--I will not be put to shame. And I am going to do just that very thing so that I may not seem, as it were, to be striking terror into you through a series of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 10:7

Do ye look on things after the outward appearance ,.... Or "look upon things", ironically said; or "ye do look on things", a reproof for making judgment of persons and things, by the outward appearance of them; so many judged of Paul by the meanness of his person, the weakness of his body, the lowness of his voice, his outward circumstances of life, his poverty, afflictions, and persecutions; and despised him; whilst they looked upon the riches, eloquence, haughty airs, noisiness, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 10:8

For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority ,.... Than as yet he had done, or used to do; or rather the sense is, should he boast of a greater authority than the false apostles, or even than the true ministers of the Gospel in common had, he should not exceed the bounds of truth and modesty; for as an apostle he not only had an authority from Christ to preach the Gospel, and administer ordinances, but also had an extraordinary power of punishing offenders, as before observed: ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 10:7

Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? - Do not be carried away with appearances; do not be satisfied with show and parade. If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's - Here, as in several other places of this and the preceding epistle, the τις , any or certain, person, most evidently refers to the false apostle who made so much disturbance in the Church. And this man trusted to himself - assumed to himself that he was Christ's messenger: it would not do to attempt to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 10:8

For, though I should boast, etc. - I have a greater authority and spiritual power than I have yet shown, both to edify and to punish; but I employ this for your edification in righteousness, and not for the destruction of any delinquent. "This," says Calmet, "is the rule which the pastors of the Church ever propose to themselves in the exercise of their authority; whether to enjoin or forbid, to dispense or to oblige, to bind or to loose. They should use this power only as Jesus Christ used... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 10:7

Verse 7 7.That are according to appearance. In the first place, the clause according to appearance, may be taken in two ways: either as meaning the reality itself, visible and manifest, or an outward mask, (765) that deceives us. The sentence, too, may be read either interrogatively or affirmatively: nay more, the verb βλέπετε may be taken either in the imperative mood, or in the subjunctive. I am rather of opinion, however, that it is expressive of chiding, and that the Corinthians are... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 10:8

Verse 8 8.For though I should boast more largely of my authority. It was a sign of modesty, that he put himself into the number of those, whom he greatly excelled. At the same time, he was not disposed to show such modesty, as not to retain his authority unimpaired. He accordingly adds, that he has said less than his authority entitled him to say; for he was not one of the ordinary class of ministers, but was even distinguished among the Apostles. Hence he says: “Though I should boast more, I... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 10:1-7

No one can fail to notice the change in the tone of the Epistle which appears in this chapter. Every thoughtful reader of St. Paul knows how abrupt his transitions frequently are, and how rapidly he digresses from his main point to something incidental to his topic. His mental associations are governed by two distinct laws—first, by ideas exciting feelings which lead him to diverge from his main line; and next, by emotions arising from some occult source that vary his action of intellect. In... read more