“2 Corinthians 10:1-6”

Friday, June 15, 2018

"Now I, Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent! I ask that when I am present I need not be bold with the confidence with which I propose to be courageous against some, who regard us as if we walked according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete."

---End of Scripture---

We notice an abrupt change in tone in the last section of the letter. Paul here identifies several latent attacks very directly including: his style and substance in preaching (1Cor. 1:17; 2:1-5), his financial support (1Cor. 9), and proper judgment (1Cor. 1:10-15; 3:1-15). In chapters 10-13, he correctly defines what he has done and how none of it even resembles the charges made against him. He then exposes the false teachers who are guilty of each of the accusations. He will now boast in his genuine apostolic authority (cf. 1Cor. 4:1-5, 14, 16-21; 5:1-5; 9:1f; 14:37f; 15:8-11). Paul’s approach is directly in line with that of the day. In fact, Plutarch even writes a treatise on proper self-commendation enumerating the same basic methods Paul uses (entitled: "On Inoffensive Self-Praise").

Another aspect of his address entails exposing the blindness brought on by Corinth’s egotism (cf. 1Cor. 4:6, 18f; 5:2; 8:1; 13:4) that had allowed the insidious influence in.

Chapters 10-13 are bookended by several themes: Paul’s behavior at and away from Corinth (10:1-2; 13:10), his encroaching visit (10:2; 13:1), his apostolic authority for edification (10:8; 13:10), mention of a previous letter (10:9-11; 13:10), contrast of weakness and power (10:1-6, 10-11; 13:4, 9), and belonging to Christ (10:7; 13:5).

In 10:1, Paul drops 1st person plural pronouns now and gets very personal ("I Paul myself"). Defending his apostleship is his business, not Timothy’s (cf. 1:1). He urges and beseeches them through two chief character traits of Christ. Yet, even here, we see his love. Melvin Curry comments, “The apostle softens his tone with the Corinthians, holding back orders and commands like those which he issued in 1 Corinthians (diatasso, 7:17; 9:14; 11:34; 16:1; parangello, 7:10; 11:17).” As he makes this appeal, he hopes in humility for them to see the consequences of their actions in questioning his apostleship: “The church’s attitude toward Paul’s apostolic message will have a bearing on their relationship to Christ and that has eternal consequences.” (Gareth Reese, 238).

In verse 2, Paul indirectly states one of the opponents’ accusations (in verse 10, he will be specific!). The New American Standard rendering "ask" in verse 2 is fairly weak as the original word more properly means "beg." This highlights Paul's earnest desire to avoid exercising his full disciplinary power as an apostle but rather to persuade them in love to turn Corinth against these agents of Satan. They had come to believe that Paul and the apostles were men of the flesh rather than the spirit, a most heinous charge!

Paul continues by pointing out the difference between the corporeal temple he dwelt in and the temple of God he strived for. Paul admits that he is a fallible person like anyone else; however, he has the authority of God backing his teaching as seen in the miracles he performed (12:12). Moreover, Paul’s life in the flesh is patterned after Jesus’ (Heb. 5:7), whereas the lives of his opponents were rebellious, self-indulgent, and egotistical. For us, we must recognize that worldly standards are vain and worthless. We must see people through God’s eyes! Why? Because "we (the apostles in the original context but all of us accomodatively) do not war after the flesh". – Paul’s campaign (Greek: strateuo whence "strategy") is not a defense of his pride, but a battle for the hearts of men against the enemies of the Cross.

In verse 4, Paul continues the military metaphor as used elsewhere (Rom. 13:12; 1Cor. 9:7; 2Cor. 6:7; Eph. 6:11-17; 1Thess. 5:8; 1Tim. 1:18; 2Tim. 2:3f). However, in this instance, he focuses on siege warfare. He says "the weapons of our warfare are not carnal" (e.g. eloquence, persuasive rhetoric, force, and human achievements) but rather, his (and our) weapons were spiritually and divinely powerful (cf. Eph. 6:10-18). This is actually a metaphor used in non-inspired works as well! (Philo, Confusion of Tongues, 128-132).

They, and we, have the God-given power to destroy speculations and evil surmising. Paul's accusers and their supporters thought they knew very much (1Cor. 8:1-2), but loftiness of self-esteem could not withstand the power of the gospel (cf. Rom. 12:16). The image may continue the military imagery (e.g. Megiddo and Gamla).

"Bringing every thought captive to the obedience of Christ" continues the imagery but focuses particularly on what God enables his soldiers to do through knowledge of Him. Every device of Satan (2:11; 3:14; 4:4; 11:3) is rendered impotent by the weapon of God’s Word!

Paul was ready to go to war although he hopes they will concede prior to his getting there (cf. 1Cor. 5:5; 1Tim. 5:20). "Disobedience" connotes stubbornness and refusal to listen to helpful instruction; obedience renders itself submissive to that same instruction. “Although he remains confident that complete reconciliation is an achievable goal at Corinth, he understands that it will only come to pass as a result of an arduous process.” (Curry, 321).

Paul's inspired words in this section help illumine us as to the spiritual battle taking place all around us. And he proclaims confidence in God's armament of Christians to withstand the evil one. Are you confident like he was? Being in Christ brings that confidence and the only way to be in Christ is to become His soldier by putting Him on in baptism (Galatians 3:26-27). We hope all will do that before it is everlastingly too late.

Please read 2 Corinthians 10:7-11 for tomorrow.

- Eric Parker

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