Read the Passage: 2 Corinthians 10

Listen to the Redeemed Mind Podcast: 2 Corinthians 10

Desire of Paul (10:1–6)

After a discussion of his planned collection for the impoverished church in Jerusalem (cf. 2 Cor. 8–9), Paul begins a section of this letter in which he defends his own ministry and confronts certain false teachers in Corinth. Note that later in this segment, Paul sarcastically calls these teachers “super-apostles” (cf. 2 Cor. 11:5; 12:11). Furthermore, observe that there is a difference in tone between 2 Cor. 1–9 and 2 Cor. 10–13, as in the earlier part of his letter Paul was addressing the repentant majority of the church, while in the later chapters Paul confronts those who were still sympathetic to the false teachers. Ironically, it seems these super-apostles were claiming that Paul was abusive and arrogant, especially in his letters (cf. 2 Cor. 2:3–5; 10:10). Thus, Paul begins this chapter by appealing to the “meekness and gentleness of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:1), as he reminds the church of his own lowly conduct among them.

As he would later expand upon in Eph. 6:12–18, so here in this chapter Paul instructs the church that “though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh” (2 Cor. 10:3). Regarding the so-called super-apostles, this would have been a helpful reminder for the Corinthians, as it stresses the gravity of the church’s situation and it hints at the way in which Christians can resist false teaching. In 2 Cor. 10:4–6 Paul encourages the church by identifying the outcome of fighting with spiritual weapons, which leads to believers being “mighty in God” (2 Cor. 10:4). These results include: pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments, orienting thoughts toward Christ, and punishing disobedience. Later, in Eph. 6:12–18, Paul identifies the weapons of spiritual warfare as truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation, the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, and prayer.

Evaluation of Others (10:7–11)

Having taught that physical events are animated by spiritual realities, Paul rhetorically asks his readers, “Do you look at things according to the outward appearance?” (2 Cor. 10:7). The implication here is that this is exactly what the Corinthians were doing—that is, they were making judgments based upon superficial factors. Evidently, the super-apostles presented their false gospel in a winsome manner, whereas they claimed that Paul’s bodily presence was weak, and his speech contemptible (cf. 1 Cor. 2:3–4; 2 Cor. 10:10). Indeed, as he labored in Corinth, Paul had a “thorn in the flesh” (2 Cor. 12:7), which may have been some type of “physical infirmity” (cf. Gal. 4:13). Therefore, Paul’s message may not have been as polished as that of the false teachers. Yet, in contrast to the ministry of the false teachers, Paul’s gospel was true, and he spoke as one who possessed God-given, apostolic authority.

God’s Approval (10:12–18)

In reference to the false teachers, Paul wrote, “We dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves” (2 Cor. 10:12a). Here Paul was not saying that it is wrong to compare or to contrast true teachers with false teachers. Rather, here Paul was referring to the practice of commending or justifying oneself based upon a comparison with another person, rather than with Christ (cf. 2 Cor. 10:7). This, writes Paul, is what the false teachers were guilty of doing, as they were “measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves among themselves . . . [which is] not wise” (2 Cor. 10:12b). Of course, a main problem with commending or justifying oneself based upon a comparison with another person is that God alone is the standard of righteousness, not someone else. If the bar of righteousness is lowered, self-justification becomes easy.

Apparently, the false teachers were claiming that Paul had over-reached his authority when he rebuked the sinning Corinthian believers. By way of response, Paul explained that he was well “within the limits of the sphere which God appointed . . . For we are not overextending ourselves (2 Cor. 10:13–14). Next, Paul impugns the false teachers, for they were guilty of “boasting . . . in other men’s labors” (2 Cor. 10:15), whereas Paul refused to “boast in another man’s sphere of accomplishment (cf. 2 Cor. 10:16). In other words, Paul was highlighting the fact that the false teachers were commandeering and distorting his gospel work in Corinth. Finally, at 2 Cor. 10:17 Paul quotes Isa. 65:16, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord” (cf. Jer. 9:23–24), as he explains, “Not he who commends himself is approved, but [He] whom the Lord commends” (2 Cor. 10:18).

Application Questions:

1. How can we defend ourselves, especially regarding ministry activities, without being prideful or engaging in boasting?
2. What does it mean to be meek? In the modern world, is meekness viewed as a positive or a negative characteristic?
3. Do many Christians consider that there are spiritual forces operating behind the material realities of the world?
4. Why are human beings prone to justify themselves based upon their own works, or by comparing themselves to others?
5. How can someone tell if they are approved by God? What are some clear signs of justification?