2 Corinthians 10:1-11
1 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!
2 I ask that when I am present I need not be bold with the confidence with which I intend to be courageous against some, who regard us as if we walked according to the flesh.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage battle according to the flesh,
4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.
5 We are destroying arguments and all arrogance raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,
6 and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.
7 You are looking at things as they are outwardly. If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s, have him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ’s, so too are we.
8 For if I boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be put to shame,
9 for I do not want to seem as if I would terrify you by my letters.
10 For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his personal presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible.”
11 Have such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when absent, such persons we are also in deed when present.
The Authority as an Apostle
Those who take lightly of Paul’s authority
In chapters 10-13, Paul writes in response to certain people who were treating his authority with contempt. Paul’s greatest concern was that the entire Corinthian church would be adversely influenced by these people and become spiritually insensitive. (1) First, Paul quotes the words of his critics directly. His opponents were mocking him, saying, “Paul is meek when face to face, but bold in his letters when he is far away.” (2) However, Paul’s desire was that when he visited the church in Corinth, he would not have to act boldly. In other words, he hoped that the Corinthian believers would come to complete repentance and obedience. (3) Paul acknowledges that, as a human being, he has weaknesses. This is what he means by “walk in the flesh,” that is, living in this world. At the same time, he testifies that in the battle of ministry, he does not rely on human power. (4) The weapons of warfare Paul speaks of are powerful before God, powerful enough to destroy even “the fortress of the devil.” The “fortress” are human philosophies and the wisdom of this world that denies the knowledge of God (ref. 1 Cor. 3:19).
The authority given by the Lord
If the Corinthian believers do not come to genuine repentance, the next action Paul must take will be very severe. It will be divided into the following two stages. (1) Bring the Corinthian believers into complete obedience to Christ. (2) When their obedience is complete, punish all disobedience. It is not stated specifically how the disobedience will be punished. Paul is not defending himself for his own sake. If a church were to begin doubting Paul’s authority, it would become a heretical church. This was what Paul feared most. We must not judge the Lord’s workers merely by outward appearance. If a worker has been appointed by the authority of the Lord, then obeying the Lord also means obeying that worker. Let us respect the leaders who have been appointed by God and who fight with the weapons God provides and let us pray for their ministry.
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, please give me spiritual eyes to discern people, so that I may see them not by outward appearance, but as You see them. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.