2 Corinthians 10:7
What does 2 Corinthians 10:7 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 10:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Corinthians 10:7 means
Paul rebukes the Corinthians for judging by appearances. Some were impressed by outward show and quick claims of belonging to Christ. Paul says, if anyone asserts he is Christ’s, let him realize that Paul also belongs to Christ. His legitimacy does not rest on looks or eloquence but on authentic connection to the Lord. This gently confronts partisanship and pretension. He asks them to think again, to look beyond the surface and consider God’s calling and fruit in ministry. The issue is not party labels but true allegiance to Christ, which Paul shares fully, despite detractors’ attempts to diminish him.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Ye look at the things that are before your face. If any man trusteth in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again with himself, that, even as he is Christ’s, so also are we.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Ye look at the things that are before your face. If any man trusteth in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again with himself, that, even as he is Christ’s, so also are we.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Give attention to the things which are before you. If any man seems to himself to be Christ's, let him keep in mind that we are as much Christ's as he is.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862The things in presence do ye see? if any one hath trusted in himself to be Christ's, this let him reckon again from himself, that according as he is Christ's, so also we <FI>are<Fi> Christ's;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752See the things that are according to outward appearance. If any man trust to himself, that he is Christ's let him think this again with himself, that as he is Christ's, so are we also.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Do ye look at what concerns appearance? If any one has confidence in himself that he is of Christ, let him think this again in himself, that even as he [is] of Christ, so also [are] we.
Context
Having explained spiritual warfare and readiness to discipline (verses 3–6), Paul now tackles a perception problem. Verse 7 addresses the Corinthians’ habit of looking at what is “before your face.” This opens a section (verses 7–11) where Paul counters the charge that he is strong only in letters. He asserts equal belonging to Christ and insists that appearance is a poor measure. The next verses will clarify his authority’s purpose and his consistency in word and deed, moving from identity (he is Christ’s) to function (how he uses that authority).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 16:15
And he said unto them, Ye are they that justify yourselves in the sight of men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.
- 2 Corinthians 11:4
For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or if ye receive a different spirit, which ye did not receive, or a different gospel, which ye did not accept, ye do well to bear with him.
- 1 Corinthians 3:23
and ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.
- 1 Corinthians 9:1
Am I not free? am I not an apostle? have I not seen Jesus our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?
- 2 Corinthians 12:11
I am become foolish: ye compelled me; for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing was I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I am nothing.
- Galatians 1:11
For I make known to you, brethren, as touching the gospel which was preached by me, that it is not after man.
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