2 Corinthians, Chapter 10

 

2 Corinthians 10 What characteristics of Christ did Paul display with the Corinthians? vs. 1 Meekness and gentleness of Christ. How did Paul appear when he was face to face with someone? vs. 1 Meek when face to face with you. How did Paul come across when he was writing a letter in the absence of them? vs. 1 Bold toward you when absent! What was Paul's request for when he was present with them? vs. 2 I need not be bold with the confidence with which I propose to be courageous against some. What were some people accusing Paul of? vs. 2 Who regard us as if we walked according to the flesh. Some people think that we live by the standards of this world. [TNIV] Paul stated that even though he walks in his natural state, he doesn't war in that way. What is the spiritual warfare that he deals with? vs.3,4 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. For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.  The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.  [TNIV] How does Paul destroy speculations and mind games of the enemy that are things against what he knows to be true in Christ? vs. 4,5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God. Can we take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ? How would we go about doing that? vs. 5 We are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. The word translated “thought” (noēma) is rendered elsewhere as “mind” and “design.” It is connected in this letter to the activities of Satan, either as part of Satan’s designs to outwit us (2:11), or as the object of Satan’s assault. In 3:14 the minds of the Israelites were hardened, necessitating Moses’ veil. In 4:4 Paul says that the minds of unbelievers have been blinded by the God of this world to keep them from seeing the light of gospel of the glory of Christ. In 11:3 he candidly says that Satan has ensnared the Corinthians “thoughts” in the same way he deceived Eve. Satan holds their minds hostage, and Paul is prepared to fight a pitched battle to liberate them.  Their thoughts need to come under the Lordship of Christ and to be liberated from the captivity of Satan. Garland, D. E. (2001, c1999). Vol. 29: 2 Corinthians (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (437). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers. When would Paul correct any disobedience in the believers? vs. 6 We are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete. From these opening verses of Paul’s defense, we can glean several insights about Paul’s views on how to exercise spiritual leadership. First, we see that his aim is not to destroy people who oppose him but to destroy their specious arguments (10:4)! All too often, people, rather than their wrongheaded opinions, become the object of any attack. The opponents do a hatchet job on the reputations of others and build themselves up to secure their own position of power. Second, Paul, by letter and by personal visit, wants them to acknowledge the truth of his gospel and the basis of his authority so that they will be obedient.  His goal is to make them obedient to God (see 2:9; 7:15; 12:21; and 13:2).  Third, Paul promises in 10:5 that he will punish those who are disobedient when the obedience of the Corinthians is complete, that is, when they get in line again with the gospel. This means that Paul does not wish to exercise his authority independently of the Corinthians but intends to act only in concert with them. Garland, D. E. (2001, c1999). Vol. 29: 2 Corinthians (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (438 ). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers. Paul wanted these believers to look at the situation from the spiritual standpoint and not from outward appearances. He said if they were confident of belonging to Christ, they should know the same about them. Although he had been given authority as an apostle of the Lord, what did he know this authority was given for? vs. 8 For even if I boast somewhat further about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you. How did Paul's letters come across to some? vs. 9,10 I do not wish to seem as if I would terrify you by my letters.  For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong". How did Paul's outward appearance come across? vs. 10 His personal presence is unimpressive. Was Paul known for great speaking ability? vs. 10 His speech contemptible. His speaking amounts to nothing. [TNIV] “Lest I should seem as it were to frighten you [into obedience] through letters (for this is what one is saying, ‘His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing’ ) let such a one who thinks this take note that what we say through letters when we are absent we will carry out when we are present.” Garland, D. E. (2001, c1999). Vol. 29: 2 Corinthians (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (445). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers. In Hellenistic society the practice and expectations of rhetorical eloquence were pervasive. Not only were political leaders expected to speak persuasively and eloquently, but so also those who claimed authority in philosophy and religion. Among such people there was great competition, and success depended upon one’s ability to express the power of the divine in his or her performance—not only through miracles, but also through rhetorical performances. Peterson, Eloquence and the Proclamation of the Gospel in Corinth, 59. He wanted them to know that as strong as he appeared when he "wrote" things; that is how he "conducted himself" when absent from them. Paul did not compare himself to others or commend himself by comparison with others. When people use people as their standard, what does that say about them? vs.11,12 When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding (they are not wise). Self-boasting was considered an act of honor. Savage observes that “an individual’s worth and consequently his respect in the community was dependent on the status he was able to project.” Boasting about one’s status and achievements and comparing oneself favorably against others were routine tactics for those who aimed at gaining a following for themselves. Savage makes the following helpful observations about status in the ancient world: “All people belonged to one of two classes: the honestiores or the humiliores, the high or the low. The former was made up of the nobility—senators, equestrians and, away from Rome itself, the decurions. These were men who, together with their womenfolk, were esteemed for their dignitas and often possessed great power and fortune. The humiliores—plebs, freedmen and slaves—lacked dignitas and were held in no honour by the nobility. Since rank was hereditary, movement from one class to the other was virtually impossible” The nobility comprised one percent of the population; slaves and indigents the bottom third. The middle two thirds were consumed with improving their status which was achieved primarily by attaining wealth. But even wealth did not always confer the honor that so many people craved (see the account of Trimalchio’s dinner in Petronius’ Satyricon). Since attaining wealth was impossible for most people, noble philosophers argued that one could also achieve honor through virtuous living.  But most chose other routes and sought honor from their occupations, neighborhoods, talents, education, religion, or athletic accomplishments. Paul’s Corinthian rivals have chosen religion as the field in which they will compete for the honor and status they so covet. (Savage, Power through Weakness, 20; see further P. Garnsey, Social Status and Legal Privilege in the Roman Empire [Oxford: Clarendon, 1970] 221–280). What was Paul responsible over and able to boast in the Lord regarding? vs. 13 But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you. Paul insists that his boasting in his authority over them (10:8 ) is not out of bounds but is based on the work that he has done in Christ in the region that God assigned him. Corinth is God’s field (1 Cor 3:9), and God assigned him to work there as God’s servant. He planted; God gave the growth (1 Cor 3:6). Therefore, Paul appeals to the indisputable fact that he founded the church in Corinth. His rivals could not claim this. Garland, D. E. (2001, c1999). Vol. 29: 2 Corinthians (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (454). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers. Who were the first people to reach the Corinthians with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus? vs. 14 For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we did not reach to you, for we were the first to come even as far as you in the gospel of Christ; What follows in 10:14–15a basically repeats what Paul says in 10:13 but takes it a step further by making it more specific. He does not overextend himself because he was the first to come to them with the gospel (10:14). He does not boast beyond measure because he does not boast in the labors of others (10:15a). What he boasts about is work that he did under God’s commission. Garland, D. E. (2001, c1999). Vol. 29: 2 Corinthians (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (456). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers. Paul would not boast in another's man work, but what did he hope would happen in regard to the work he had invested in the Corinthian church? vs. 15,16 But with the hope that as your faith grows, we will be, within our sphere, enlarged even more by you, so as to preach the gospel even to the regions beyond you, and not to boast in what has been accomplished in the sphere of another. If any man has any boast, what is it to be? vs. 17 But he who boasts is to boast in the Lord. For the second time in his correspondence with the Corinthians Paul alludes to an adaptation of Jer 9:23–24, “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord” (LXX Jer 9:22–23; see 1 Cor 1:31) This boast in the Lord has nothing to do with Paul’s own pedigree or prowess. It has to do with what the Lord has accomplished through him. Garland, D. E. (2001, c1999). Vol. 29: 2 Corinthians (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (457). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers. Are we approved simply because we say we are? Whose approval is the one that matters? vs. 18 For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends. Have you ever found yourself comparing yourself with another to find the approval of God? Is that the standard you should use? Think on this lesson and make your summary and say a prayer.