2 Corinthians 10:11
in 2 Corinthians 10Such people should consider that what we are in our letters when absent, we will be in our actions when present.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
Let such a one reckon this, that, what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such are we also in deed when we are present.
KJV
Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present.
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This verse in 2 Corinthians 10
Commentary
10 notes on this verseSomeone to whom power has not been given is capable of being bold when absent but when present he is put to shame. The apostle will not be put to shame when issuing his rebuke. He is doing this in bold reliance on his spiritual …
This site's exposition
trying to frighten you by my letters
on 2 Corinthians 10:9-11
Paul quotes the accusation directly: His letters are weighty and forceful, but his physical presence is unimpressive, and his speaking is of no account. He answers with a promise of consistency: what we are in our letters when absent, we will be in our actions when present.
This site's exposition
what we are in our letters when absent
Paul answers the charge with a promise of consistency. Albert Barnes reads it as a plain warning that what the letters threatened would be carried out unless there was repentance. Adam Clarke thinks it likely that the false apostle did not wait at Corinth for Paul to arrive.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers1 voice
"But that I may not seem as if I would terrify you: for his letters, say they, are weighty and strong: but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account. Let such a one reckon this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such are we also in deed when we are present." What he says is this: 'I could boast indeed, but that they may not say the same things again, to wit, that I boast in my letters, and am contemptible when present, I will say nothing great.' And yet afterwards he did say something great, but not about this power by which he was formidable, but about revelations and at greater lengths about trials. 'Therefore, that I may not seem to be terrifying you, "let such an one reckon this, that what we are by letters when we are absent, such are we also in deed when we are present."' For since they said, 'he writes great things of himself, but when he is present he is worthy of no consideration,' therefore he says these things, and those again in a moderated form. For he did not say, 'as we write great things, so when we are present we also do great things,' but in more subdued phrase. For when he addressed himself to the others indeed, he stated it with vehemency, saying, "I beseech you that I may not when present show courage with the confidence wherewith I think to be bold against some:" but when to these, he is more subdued. And therefore he says, 'what we are when present, such too when absent, that is, lowly, modest, no where boasting. And it is plain from what follows.
The Medieval Church2 voices
But let such people, i.e., who say such things about me, understand this, i.e., know for certain, that what we say by letter when absent we do when present, i.e., we will be such when we come to you as we are by epistle when …
As he is in words, so also in deed: I could boast, but do not think that I am frightening you with epistles, as my slanderers say: "he boasts in his epistles and sends threatening letters, but in personal presence he is insignificant and is …
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
17 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 18 For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth. In these verses observe, I.
quarantine:scripture (2026-07-29) — scripture-overlap:86%@v16-18
Let such an one think this,....
2 more voices on this verse
The Nineteenth Century2 voices
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
Let such an one think this ... - Let them not flatter themselves that there will be any discrepancy between my words and my deeds. Let them feel that all which has been threatened will be certainly executed unless there is repentance. Paul here designedly contradicts the charge which was made against him; and means to say that all that he had threatened in his letters would he certainly executed unless there was a reform.
Such as we are in word - A threatening of this kind would doubtless alarm the false apostle; and it is very likely that he did not await the apostle’s coming, as he would not be willing to try the fate of Elymas.
The words behind it
17 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| τοῦτο | touto | This | G3778 → | 1381 times |
| λογιζέσθω | logizestho | should realise | G3049 → | 40 times |
| ὁ | ho | <the> | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| τοιοῦτος | toioutos | type of [person] | G5108 → | 56 times |
| ὅτι | hoti | that | G3754 → | 1292 times |
| οἷοί | hoioi | such as | G3634 → | 14 times |
| ἐσμεν | esmen | we are | G1510 → | 2333 times |
| τῷ | to | <the> | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| λόγῳ | logo | in word | G3056 → | 329 times |
| δι᾽ | di᾽ | through | G1223 → | 664 times |
| ἐπιστολῶν | epistolon | letters | G1992 → | 24 times |
| ἀπόντες, | apontes | being absent, | G548 → | 7 times |
| τοιοῦτοι | toioutoi | such [we are] | G5108 → | 56 times |
| καὶ | kai | also | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| παρόντες | parontes | being present | G3918 → | 25 times |
| τῷ | to | <the> | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| ἔργῳ.¶ | ergo | in action. | G2041 → | 168 times |
τοῦτοThis
toutoG3778 →1381 times
λογιζέσθωshould realise
logizesthoG3049 →40 times
ὁ<the>
hoG3588 →19766 times
τοιοῦτοςtype of [person]
toioutosG5108 →56 times
ὅτιthat
hotiG3754 →1292 times
οἷοίsuch as
hoioiG3634 →14 times
ἐσμενwe are
esmenG1510 →2333 times
τῷ<the>
toG3588 →19766 times
λόγῳin word
logoG3056 →329 times
δι᾽through
di᾽G1223 →664 times
ἐπιστολῶνletters
epistolonG1992 →24 times
ἀπόντες,being absent,
apontesG548 →7 times
τοιοῦτοιsuch [we are]
toioutoiG5108 →56 times
καὶalso
kaiG2532 →9120 times
παρόντεςbeing present
parontesG3918 →25 times
τῷ<the>
toG3588 →19766 times
ἔργῳ.¶in action.
ergoG2041 →168 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
2 Corinthians 13:10This 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…
it leads to
- 2 Corinthians 10:8
For even if I boast somewhat excessively about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed.
- 2 Corinthians 2:3
I wrote as I did so that on my arrival I would not be saddened by those who ought to make me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would share…
- Titus 1:13
This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sternly, so that they will be sound in the faith
- 2 Corinthians 10:8
Through
2 Corinthians 12:20For I am afraid that when I come, I may not find you as I wish, and you may not find me as you wish. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, rage,…
it leads to
- Galatians 5:19–21
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery;
- 1 Peter 2:1
Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander.
- 1 Corinthians 1:11
My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you.
- Romans 1:29
They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips,
- Galatians 5:15
But if you keep on biting and devouring one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.
- Galatians 5:19–21
Where this verse is studied
About 2 Corinthians
This page draws on 9 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Ambrosiaster, COMMENTARY ON PAUL'S EPISTLES; Frederic Godet, Commentary on the Epistles to the Corinthians; John Chrysostom, Homily 22 on 2 Corinthians; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on 2 Corinthians and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on 2 Corinthians.