II Corinthians 10 Commentary: Spiritual Warfare and Authentic Authority
Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:
But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ’s, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ’s, even so are we Christ’s.
For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:
That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.
For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.
Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present.
For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.
For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ:
Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men’s labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,
To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s line of things made ready to our hand.
But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.
II Corinthians 10 addresses a critical challenge to Paul's apostleship and the spiritual well-being of the Corinthian church. False teachers had infiltrated the community, undermining Paul's authority and leading believers astray. This chapter reveals Paul's response, emphasizing spiritual warfare, authentic authority, and the importance of boasting in the Lord. In II Corinthians 10, Paul confronts those who questioned his authority, reminding the Corinthians of the spiritual battle they were engaged in and the importance of aligning their thoughts and actions with Christ.
Confronting Accusations with Meekness and Gentleness (II Corinthians 10:1-2)
Paul begins by appealing to the Corinthians with the very qualities some saw as weakness: meekness and gentleness. He implores them to listen to him, hoping to avoid a more forceful confrontation with those behaving according to the flesh. Paul's approach reflects the character of Christ, who humbled himself, not out of weakness, but out of strength and love. He acknowledges the accusations that his personal presence was unimpressive, while his letters were strong and weighty. However, he urges them not to mistake his gentleness for a lack of resolve. He is prepared to be bold and confident when he arrives, especially with those who accuse him of lacking integrity.
Spiritual Warfare and the Demolition of Strongholds (II Corinthians 10:3-6)
Paul transitions from a personal plea to a declaration of spiritual warfare. He clarifies that while he lives in the world, he does not wage war according to the flesh. The weapons he wields are not physical, but spiritual, possessing divine power to demolish strongholds. These "strongholds" are not physical fortresses, but destructive patterns of thought that hold people captive to sin and harmful behaviors. Satan's strategy is to block the knowledge and application of God's Word in the thinking of believers so that they can be held hostage by his lies, which are communicated through false teaching.
Paul's concern is with the mind, aiming to demolish arguments and every proud thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. He wants to help believers take every thought captive to obey Christ. This involves actively discerning truth from falsehood and aligning our thinking with God's Word. Addictive behavior, for example, is not the stronghold itself, but merely its fruit. Strongholds can only be demolished by the knowledge of God, by truth. As Jesus said, "The truth will set you free" (John 8:32).
Paul also warns that he and his coworkers are ready to punish any disobedience, once the Corinthians' obedience is complete. In order for Paul to deal effectively with the disobedience of the false apostles, the Corinthians would need to be unified in their commitment to the Lord and to Paul by complete—not partial—obedience. If a minority of the Corinthians still allowed themselves to be influenced by heretical teachers, it would affect the entire church.
Authentic Authority and Building Up the Church (II Corinthians 10:7-11)
Paul then defends his apostolic authority. He reminds the Corinthians that he was the one who introduced them to Christ, implying that Christ is real in him. Whatever the false apostles claimed about being authoritative ambassadors for Christ, Paul had greater confidence in his authority as an apostle, which he’d received from the Lord Jesus himself. He asserts that his authority comes from Christ and is intended for building up the church, not tearing it down. He reminds them that he had used his authority for building the church in Corinth up, not for tearing them down as the false apostles had (10:8).
Addressing the accusation of inconsistency, Paul assures them that his actions will align with his words. He had no intention of frightening the Corinthians with his forceful letters (10:9) but sought to be forthright and bold to lead them to obey Christ. He preferred to do this by written correspondence so that there would be no need for confrontation in person. This had led some to accuse him of being a vacillating person whose letters were powerful but who was weak in person (10:10). But Paul assures them that they would find him to be the same in his letters as he would be in his actions when he visited them (10:11). There would be no inconsistency in his message. He had only been trying to deal with them in a manner that would cause the least amount of pain and embarrassment.
Avoiding Self-Promotion and Boasting in the Lord (II Corinthians 10:12-18)
Paul contrasts his approach with that of the false teachers, who were measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves to themselves. The false teachers to whom some of the Corinthians were listening had a faulty view of themselves. They were measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves to themselves (10:12). In other words, they served as their own standard. This is the epitome of human wisdom and pride. Paul, however, refused to boast beyond measure (10:13; cf. 10:15)—that is, to boast and operate outside of the God-designed boundaries in which he had been placed. He knew what Christ had equipped and called him to do, unlike these false apostles who exalted themselves and criticized Paul.
Paul refuses to participate in a competition for popularity or engage in blatant self-promotion. Instead, he focuses on fulfilling the mission God has given him, which includes bringing the gospel to new territories. He recognizes that we can’t serve as our own standard because sin has contaminated us. Our only legitimate standard is Scripture. Furthermore, we must be content with the boundaries in which God has placed us. To live within God-given boundaries is freedom; it maximizes your uniqueness and abilities. To try to function outside of those boundaries will produce frustration and often leads to sin.
Paul quotes Jeremiah: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord" (II Corinthians 10:17, Jeremiah 9:24). How do you know you’re operating in the right spot and for the right reasons? Because you find that you’re consciously doing what you do for the glory of God—that is, you’re making God look good by how you live. Boasting in yourself, your abilities, and your accomplishments is a dead-end street because it’s a lie (the Lord is your source, not you) and it ultimately won’t satisfy. Remember, it is not the one commending himself who is approved, but the one the Lord commends (10:18). Self-approval carries no weight, no legitimacy. But when you boast in God rather than in yourself, you will align yourself with God’s kingdom agenda. And when you do, you’ll obtain the only approval that matters, the approval of the King. Ultimately, it is God's commendation that matters, not self-promotion.
Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:
But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ’s, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ’s, even so are we Christ’s.
For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:
That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.
For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.
Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present.
For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.
For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ:
Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men’s labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,
To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s line of things made ready to our hand.
But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.
II Corinthians 10 addresses a critical challenge to Paul's apostleship and the spiritual well-being of the Corinthian church. False teachers had infiltrated the community, undermining Paul's authority and leading believers astray. This chapter reveals Paul's response, emphasizing spiritual warfare, authentic authority, and the importance of boasting in the Lord. In II Corinthians 10, Paul confronts those who questioned his authority, reminding the Corinthians of the spiritual battle they were engaged in and the importance of aligning their thoughts and actions with Christ.
Confronting Accusations with Meekness and Gentleness (II Corinthians 10:1-2)
Paul begins by appealing to the Corinthians with the very qualities some saw as weakness: meekness and gentleness. He implores them to listen to him, hoping to avoid a more forceful confrontation with those behaving according to the flesh. Paul's approach reflects the character of Christ, who humbled himself, not out of weakness, but out of strength and love. He acknowledges the accusations that his personal presence was unimpressive, while his letters were strong and weighty. However, he urges them not to mistake his gentleness for a lack of resolve. He is prepared to be bold and confident when he arrives, especially with those who accuse him of lacking integrity.
Spiritual Warfare and the Demolition of Strongholds (II Corinthians 10:3-6)
Paul transitions from a personal plea to a declaration of spiritual warfare. He clarifies that while he lives in the world, he does not wage war according to the flesh. The weapons he wields are not physical, but spiritual, possessing divine power to demolish strongholds. These "strongholds" are not physical fortresses, but destructive patterns of thought that hold people captive to sin and harmful behaviors. Satan's strategy is to block the knowledge and application of God's Word in the thinking of believers so that they can be held hostage by his lies, which are communicated through false teaching.
Paul's concern is with the mind, aiming to demolish arguments and every proud thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. He wants to help believers take every thought captive to obey Christ. This involves actively discerning truth from falsehood and aligning our thinking with God's Word. Addictive behavior, for example, is not the stronghold itself, but merely its fruit. Strongholds can only be demolished by the knowledge of God, by truth. As Jesus said, "The truth will set you free" (John 8:32).
Paul also warns that he and his coworkers are ready to punish any disobedience, once the Corinthians' obedience is complete. In order for Paul to deal effectively with the disobedience of the false apostles, the Corinthians would need to be unified in their commitment to the Lord and to Paul by complete—not partial—obedience. If a minority of the Corinthians still allowed themselves to be influenced by heretical teachers, it would affect the entire church.
Authentic Authority and Building Up the Church (II Corinthians 10:7-11)
Paul then defends his apostolic authority. He reminds the Corinthians that he was the one who introduced them to Christ, implying that Christ is real in him. Whatever the false apostles claimed about being authoritative ambassadors for Christ, Paul had greater confidence in his authority as an apostle, which he’d received from the Lord Jesus himself. He asserts that his authority comes from Christ and is intended for building up the church, not tearing it down. He reminds them that he had used his authority for building the church in Corinth up, not for tearing them down as the false apostles had (10:8).
Addressing the accusation of inconsistency, Paul assures them that his actions will align with his words. He had no intention of frightening the Corinthians with his forceful letters (10:9) but sought to be forthright and bold to lead them to obey Christ. He preferred to do this by written correspondence so that there would be no need for confrontation in person. This had led some to accuse him of being a vacillating person whose letters were powerful but who was weak in person (10:10). But Paul assures them that they would find him to be the same in his letters as he would be in his actions when he visited them (10:11). There would be no inconsistency in his message. He had only been trying to deal with them in a manner that would cause the least amount of pain and embarrassment.
Avoiding Self-Promotion and Boasting in the Lord (II Corinthians 10:12-18)
Paul contrasts his approach with that of the false teachers, who were measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves to themselves. The false teachers to whom some of the Corinthians were listening had a faulty view of themselves. They were measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves to themselves (10:12). In other words, they served as their own standard. This is the epitome of human wisdom and pride. Paul, however, refused to boast beyond measure (10:13; cf. 10:15)—that is, to boast and operate outside of the God-designed boundaries in which he had been placed. He knew what Christ had equipped and called him to do, unlike these false apostles who exalted themselves and criticized Paul.
Paul refuses to participate in a competition for popularity or engage in blatant self-promotion. Instead, he focuses on fulfilling the mission God has given him, which includes bringing the gospel to new territories. He recognizes that we can’t serve as our own standard because sin has contaminated us. Our only legitimate standard is Scripture. Furthermore, we must be content with the boundaries in which God has placed us. To live within God-given boundaries is freedom; it maximizes your uniqueness and abilities. To try to function outside of those boundaries will produce frustration and often leads to sin.
Paul quotes Jeremiah: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord" (II Corinthians 10:17, Jeremiah 9:24). How do you know you’re operating in the right spot and for the right reasons? Because you find that you’re consciously doing what you do for the glory of God—that is, you’re making God look good by how you live. Boasting in yourself, your abilities, and your accomplishments is a dead-end street because it’s a lie (the Lord is your source, not you) and it ultimately won’t satisfy. Remember, it is not the one commending himself who is approved, but the one the Lord commends (10:18). Self-approval carries no weight, no legitimacy. But when you boast in God rather than in yourself, you will align yourself with God’s kingdom agenda. And when you do, you’ll obtain the only approval that matters, the approval of the King. Ultimately, it is God's commendation that matters, not self-promotion.