2 Corinthians 10:6
ESV
being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.
NIV
And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.
NASB
and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.
CSB
And we are ready to punish any disobedience, once your obedience is complete.
NLT
And after you have become fully obedient, we will punish everyone who remains disobedient.
KJV
And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
NKJV
and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
What does 2 Corinthians 10:6 mean?
Paul has been describing a spiritual war between he and his co-workers for Christ, against false teachers among the Corinthians. The battlefield was the minds of the Corinthians themselves, and victory would be won when the Corinthians obeyed Christ. Using the weapons of God in God's power, Paul and his companions were fully equipped to destroy the impressive-sounding arguments of his opponents against the knowledge of God. They would capture the thoughts of the Corinthians. Since actions follow thought, the Corinthians would return to obeying Christ (2 Corinthians 10:1–6).Paul now adds that he was ready to punish disobedience to Christ among them, but only when their obedience is complete. Likely this means Paul's first priority is to see the majority of the Corinthian believers obeying Christ in all things, including godly direction through Christ's representative: Paul. Paul and his associates are ready, though, to punish those in Corinth who refuse to obey. This may refer especially to the false teachers among them.
By punishment, Paul does not mean he has any interest or authority relating to physical harm. Even to the opponents of the gospel of Jesus, Christians are not permitted to use violence in an attempt to defend the faith (John 18:36). This was part of Paul's earlier comment that his weapons are not physical, but spiritual. The punishment referred to here would include excommunication of those to opposed to God (1 Corinthians 5:1–2). It would mean some form of spiritual discipline against those in Christ who are living in rebellion.
This is offered as a warning to those who think Paul will be too weak or soft-spoken in person to actually follow through on his strong words in this letter.
Second Corinthians 10:1–18 contains Paul's response to charges against him from critics in Corinth. They claim that though his letters are potent, he is pathetic in person. Paul does not argue either point. However, he issues a stern warning: that he will arrive prepared for boldness in Christ in punishing every disobedience. He describes the conflict with the false apostles as a spiritual war. He and his associates plan to win that battle by capturing the thoughts of the Corinthians again so they will obey Christ. He will not boast to defend himself except in the Lord.
Critics and other opponents in Corinth argue that though Paul's letters are strong and weighty, he is unimpressive in person. In response, Paul warns the Corinthians not to make him show how bold he can be when he arrives. Paul and his partners fight for the truth about God and the gospel. They battle using spiritual weapons that destroy false arguments. He won't trade boasts with the false apostles, but will only boast in the Lord, who approves of him. The Corinthians should know that—they came to Christ as a result of Paul's ministry to them as an apostle.
