Δέομαι δὲ τὸ μὴ παρὼν θαρρῆσαι τῇ πεποιθήσει ᾗ λογίζομαι τολμῆσαι ἐπί τινας τοὺς λογιζομένους ἡμᾶς ὡς κατὰ σάρκα περιπατοῦντας. (2 Corinthians 10:2)
And I beg that, when not present, I may not have to be bold with the confidence with which I consider daring toward some who think of us as walking according to the flesh.
Δέομαι δὲ…: From Appeal to Anticipation
The verb δέομαι (“I beg, entreat”) is present middle/passive indicative, first person singular. It carries a tone of supplication rather than instruction. This is not Paul commanding the Corinthians, but pleading with them — an appeal that reveals his emotional investment. The conjunction δὲ introduces a new yet connected thought to verse 1. This verse follows Paul’s declaration of gentleness by clarifying that boldness is not his goal — it is something he hopes to avoid if the community responds properly before his arrival.
τὸ μὴ παρὼν θαρρῆσαι: Infinitive with Articular Negation
The phrase τὸ μὴ παρὼν θαρρῆσαι is a compact and grammatically rich construction. θαρρῆσαι (“to be bold”) is an aorist active infinitive from θαρρέω. The infinitive is modified by the participial phrase μὴ παρὼν (“not being present”), from παρεῖμι, in the aorist active participle, nominative masculine singular. The definite article τὸ before the entire phrase nominalizes the construction, making it the object of the verb δέομαι: “I beg the [thing], namely, that I may not have to be bold while absent.” The use of μὴ (not οὐ) is correct here, as it negates a non-indicative (i.e., infinitive) verb.
τῇ πεποιθήσει ᾗ λογίζομαι: The Confidence of Judgment
τῇ πεποιθήσει (“with the confidence”) is a dative singular feminine noun from πεποίθησις (“trust, assurance”), functioning as a dative of manner. It tells us how Paul would act boldly with a specific kind of confidence. The relative clause ᾗ λογίζομαι (“with which I consider”) modifies πεποιθήσει. The verb λογίζομαι is present middle indicative, first person singular, meaning “I reckon, consider, think.” Paul is indicating that he already has the confidence — the question is whether it must be used against certain individuals.
τολμῆσαι ἐπί τινας: Daring Against Some
The infinitive τολμῆσαι (“to dare”) is aorist active, and governed by λογίζομαι. The phrase ἐπί τινας literally means “upon certain ones,” with ἐπί governing the accusative plural τινας (“some people”). The expression indicates direction of action — Paul is contemplating taking bold rhetorical or disciplinary action directed against specific opponents. The word τολμῆσαι here implies assertiveness, possibly even confrontation, a stark contrast to the gentleness mentioned in the previous verse.
τοὺς λογιζομένους ἡμᾶς ὡς κατὰ σάρκα περιπατοῦντας: Misjudgment Explained
The phrase τοὺς λογιζομένους is the accusative plural masculine present middle participle of λογίζομαι, meaning “those who consider/regard.” It modifies τινας: “some who consider…” What do they consider? The object is the clause ἡμᾶς ὡς κατὰ σάρκα περιπατοῦντας — “us as walking according to the flesh.” Here, ἡμᾶς is accusative plural, and περιπατοῦντας is a present active participle modifying it. The phrase κατὰ σάρκα is a prepositional expression meaning “according to the flesh” — a deeply theological charge implying that Paul’s ministry is worldly, carnal, or merely human.
The Syntax of Defensive Gentleness
Paul’s sentence walks a tightrope: he uses firm grammatical constructions while expressing pastoral hesitation. The interplay between indicative verbs (δέομαι, λογίζομαι), participles (παρὼν, λογιζομένους, περιπατοῦντας), and infinitives (θαρρῆσαι, τολμῆσαι) creates a layered syntax of thoughtfulness and caution. Paul grammatically embeds his appeal in contingencies; he has the right to act boldly, but his desire is to avoid doing so. The boldness is not his starting point but his backup plan.
Parsing Table
| Greek Word | Form | Parsing | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| δέομαι | Verb | Present Middle Indicative, 1st Singular | Main verb (“I beg”) |
| τὸ…θαρρῆσαι | Articular Infinitive Phrase | Neuter Article + Aorist Active Infinitive | Object of δέομαι |
| παρὼν | Participle | Aorist Active, Nominative Masculine Singular | Modifies the infinitive clause |
| πεποιθήσει | Noun | Dative Singular Feminine | Dative of manner (“with confidence”) |
| λογίζομαι | Verb | Present Middle Indicative, 1st Singular | Modifies the confidence by explaining it |
| τολμῆσαι | Infinitive | Aorist Active | Complement of λογίζομαι |
| τοὺς λογιζομένους | Participle | Present Middle Accusative Plural | Describes “some” (τινας) |
| περιπατοῦντας | Participle | Present Active, Accusative Plural | Object of ὡς… clause, modifying ἡμᾶς |
The Grammar of Tension and Trust
This verse offers a window into Paul’s pastoral struggle. Through intricate Greek syntax, he reveals both his authority and his restraint. He has boldness available but chooses not to use it unless necessary. The entire structure of the verse — balancing appeals, hypothetical infinitives, and participial clauses — grammatically models Paul’s ethical strategy: assertive when required, but always desiring gentleness. He defends not only his apostleship, but also the spirit in which it operates.
