©2002 Pastor Tom Miles

2 Corinthians Chapter Ten

Having completed the discussion on giving; Paul now begins putting forth evidence of his authority as an apostle.  Paul will give his reasons for saying that he came in the name of God, sent by God!  Paul's giving of proof for his position as an Apostle is continued in chapters 11 and 12.  We will see in these next three chapters that there were false teachers in Corinth and these false teachers were questioning Paul's authority as a divine instrument of God.  These false teachers accused Paul of being weak, timid, faint-hearted, and even lacking in moral courage to follow through with the things he wrote about.  Chapter 10 is Paul's reply to these charges.

2 Corinthians 10:1-2 With great importance Paul emphasizes that he is beseeching them, through Christ, with meekness and gentleness because it is the characteristic Christ would display.  It seems that some in Corinth viewed Paul as being weak and only when he was away from them did he act bold.  So Paul now will begin his defense of himself against the false teachers that try to discredit him.  When it comes to Paul's authority as an apostle and his conduct before and away from the church he wants it known it is no different and is what Christ would do.  Paul finds nothing to be of more importance than to live a Christ-like life in all things at all times.  It seems this is not something Paul is looking forward to doing, but he is prepared to speak with confident boldness against all who have misunderstood or spoke wrongly of him.  As mentioned he pleads with them in the meekness and gentleness of Christ in hopes that those coming against him will change their ways because he does not want to act according to the flesh as they do.

2 Corinthians 10:3-6 Paul says that even though he is in the flesh the weapons he uses when he goes to war spiritually are not of a carnal nature but instead are from God and mighty and powerful able to pull down all types of strongholds.  It is important to tear down anything that comes against the wisdom and knowledge of God guising its self as higher or as high as God.  It is important Paul says for our life to be in alignment with Christ and for our thoughts to be captive to Christ in full obedience to Him.  Our obedience should lead us to draw closer to Christ in turn causing others to see Christ and draw closer to Him also.  Father, let my actions, deeds, and words always edify and glorify You in all things.  I desire to always stand true to You and pray that in all that I do others will see Christ in it and draw near unto You!

2 Corinthians 10:7-8 No matter how it might seem, no matter what anyone might say, you can be assured that Paul is Christ's servant!  An apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ is Paul's calling and he makes it known that he is not ashamed to proclaim that standing of authority.  It came from the Lord not from man.

2 Corinthians 10:9-11 Paul now confronts the thoughts of those that feel he is hiding behind his letters and only bold when writing!  Paul says he is the same in person or in writing.  He is not weak in writing or in person.  If need be he would appear before them in all the boldness he displayed in his writings.  Paul then addresses directly his critics that judged him on outward appearances saying he was strong in writing yet in person weak and physically not fit.  Paul says his authority as an apostle of Jesus Christ is not weak, false, or in hiding.  His writing is powerful because Christ gave him the words.  His conduct in person would be the same also because Christ would go before him.  Dear Lord, I pray that I always go with You before me and never try to do things on my own volition!

2 Corinthians 10:12-14 It was not of Paul's nature to compare himself with others and especially those that compared themselves to others instead of Christ.  Paul says that if he were to boast of anything at all in his life it would be to boast of that which Christ has chosen him for.  Paul wanted to continually give glory to God not to self or others.  And he said that when he boasted it would be towards them in Christ!

2 Corinthians 10:15-18 Boasting of the works and deeds of others was not in Paul's character and he felt this way because he felt Christ would be that way also.  Paul was hoping the Corinthians would help to spread the Gospel into nations where it had never been before.  Since Paul seemingly stressed so much the importance of not boasting in the accomplishments, deeds, etc., of self and others we can, I believe, be assured that it is something we also should not do.  In viewing the life of Christ we can see that He did not boast in self and gave all glory to the Father.  And truly when it is all said and done it is only the person that God chooses that is approved in authority--not the ones approved by man!

Father, give me always a spirit of compassion, humility, and keep me always ready to give to others without desire of boasting.  Let the words of this passage of scripture become a light to all that read in Jesus name Amen!

Where Jesus is Lord!
Living Vine Ministries
Pastor Thomas Miles

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