Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Corinthians 10:8

"For though I should glory somewhat abundantly concerning our authority (which the Lord gave for building you up, and not for casting you down), I shall not be put to shame:" — 2 Corinthians 10:8 (ASV)

For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority.—Literally, somewhat too much—perhaps quoting a word that had been used about him. In referring to his “authority,” there is little doubt that he claims—as in 1 Corinthians 5:5, 1 Timothy 5:20, and by implication in 2 Corinthians 10:6—the power to enforce that authority by a supernatural chastisement, as, e.g., in the case of Elymas.

He is anxious, however, having used the words “pulling down” or “destruction,” to qualify his threat by asserting that the power had been given to him with the purpose, not “for destruction,” but “for edification,” or, to express the force of the antithesis more adequately, for building up. (Compare 1 Corinthians 14:12–26; Ephesians 4:12–16; and Notes on 2 Corinthians 13:10.)

I should not be ashamed.—Better, I shall not be ashamed. He was quite sure, without any doubt, that if he proceeded to the extreme step of delivering his opponents to Satan, the result he expected would follow.