2Cor 10:2-3 | JFB | STEP | 2. I beseech you —Intimating that, as he can beseech in letters, so he can be severe in their presence. that I may not be —that I may not have to be bold, &c. with that confidence — that authoritative sternness. I think —I am minded to be. as if we walked according to the flesh —His Corinthian detractors judged of him by themselves, as if he were influenced by fleshly motives, the desire of favor or fear of giving offense, so as not to exercise his authority when present.

2 Corinthians 10:2-3

2. I beseech you—Intimating that, as he can beseech in letters, so he can be severe in their presence.

that I may not be—that I may not have to be bold, &c.

with that confidence—that authoritative sternness.

I think—I am minded to be.

as if we walked according to the flesh—His Corinthian detractors judged of him by themselves, as if he were influenced by fleshly motives, the desire of favor or fear of giving offense, so as not to exercise his authority when present.

3. For—Reason why they should regard him "beseeching" them (2Co 10:2) not to oblige him to have recourse to "bold" and stern exercise of authority. "We walk IN the flesh," and so in weakness: but not "ACCORDING TO the flesh" (2Co 10:2). Moreover, though we WALK in it, we do not WAR according to it. A double contrast or antithesis. "They who accuse us of walking after the flesh, shall find [to their cost] that we do not war after the flesh; therefore compel us not to use our weapons" [ALFORD].