PAUL'S ANSWER TO DETRACTORS
2 Corinthians chapter 10
Introduction.
In this chapter, the apostle begins to address some of Corinth who had not been faithful to Paul, having preferred to follow false "shepherds" who had entered that church. These denied the apostolic authority of Paul, his teachings and even his personal character.
The weapons of his militia – verses 1 to 6
The apostle, like the whole church, was at war - not against men but against the "spiritual strongholds" of God's enemies.
But those in Corinth who were talking against him did not understand this. The "meekness and gentleness of Christ" (which Paul always showed among them) were taken by them as weakness or as a pretence to betray followers. He was afraid (they said) to speak (or do) severe things in the churches which he described in letters (1-2).
What would his response be to such slander? He did not "leave the church," as some now do when they imagine themselves as being "insulted" or "despised", nor did he pay "evil for evil"; Christians have the best weapons to combat lies - spiritual weapons, such as Scripture , prayer, patience, exposing the truth. Furthermore, Paul, as an apostle (which detractors denied), had the authority to punish those who were disobedient (3-6).
Paul's answer – verses 7 to 11
If they were, as they claimed, "of Christ", he also was, being the founder of that church and the preacher of the Gospel of Christ that they were following. He was not ashamed to say that he had authority over them as an apostle, to teach them what was for their spiritual well-being (7-8).
Such was the reason, too, for his letters: his enemies said that his letters were indeed powerful (they could not deny this!), but that personally he had a weak body and was a poor preacher. Rather, he says, those who spoke so can be sure that when he came there, his actions would be equally strong as his words and letters (9-11).
The real "praise" – verses 12 to 18
Some people will commend themselves, showing foolishness (12).
He does not boast beyond his own experience, but he was within his sphere of action - he had preached the Gospel among them (13-14).
He also hoped to work beyond there, with their cooperation, and would still be glorying in things within his sphere (15-16).
It is the praise that comes from the Lord that has worth, and not what comes from others or from ourselves (17-18).
Richard Dawson Jones (1895 - 1987)
1 Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you.
2 But I beg you that when I am present I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
7 Do you look at things according to the outward appearance? If anyone is convinced in himself that he is Christ's, let him again consider this in himself, that just as he is Christ's, even so we are Christ's.
8 For even if I should boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord gave us for edification and not for your destruction, I shall not be ashamed—
9 lest I seem to terrify you by letters.
10 "For his letters," they say, "are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible."
11 Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such we will also be in deed when we are present.
12 For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
13 We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us—a sphere which especially includes you.
14 For we are not overextending ourselves (as though our authority did not extend to you), for it was to you that we came with the gospel of Christ;
15 not boasting of things beyond measure, that is, in other men's labors, but having hope, that as your faith is increased, we shall be greatly enlarged by you in our sphere,
16 to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's sphere of accomplishment.
17 But "HE WHO GLORIES, LET HIM GLORY IN THE LORD."
18 For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.
2 Corinthians chapter 10