FOUR LINES OF DEFENSE

2 Corinthians 10:1-18

1 Now I, Paul, appeal to you with the gentleness and kindness of Christ—though I realize you think I am timid in person and bold only when I write from far away.

2 Well, I am begging you now so that when I come I won’t have to be bold with those who think we act from human motives.

3 We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do.

4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.

5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.

6 And after you have become fully obedient, we will punish everyone who remains disobedient.

7 Look at the obvious facts. Those who say they belong to Christ must recognize that we belong to Christ as much as they do.

8 I may seem to be boasting too much about the authority given to us by the Lord. But our authority builds you up; it doesn’t tear you down. So I will not be ashamed of using my authority.

9 I’m not trying to frighten you by my letters.

10 For some say, “Paul’s letters are demanding and forceful, but in person he is weak, and his speeches are worthless!”

11 Those people should realize that our actions when we arrive in person will be as forceful as what we say in our letters from far away.

12 Oh, don’t worry; we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant!

13 We will not boast about things done outside our area of authority. We will boast only about what has happened within the boundaries of the work God has given us, which includes our working with you.

14 We are not reaching beyond these boundaries when we claim authority over you, as if we had never visited you. For we were the first to travel all the way to Corinth with the Good News of Christ.

15 Nor do we boast and claim credit for the work someone else has done. Instead, we hope that your faith will grow so that the boundaries of our work among you will be extended.

16 Then we will be able to go and preach the Good News in other places far beyond you, where no one else is working. Then there will be no question of our boasting about work done in someone else’s territory.

17 As the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”

18 When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them.

INTRODUCTION:

This last section of 2 Corinthians (chaps. 10–13) presents Paul’s vindication of his apostleship. In these chapters he answers the accusations of his enemies at Corinth. As we read his reply, we can discover the lies they were telling about Paul: that he was not a true apostle since he lacked credentials from the Jerusalem church; that his motives were insincere; that his physical presence was so weak that he deserved no respect; that his letters were bold but he would never back them up in person; and that his promises could not be depended upon.

Keep in mind that Paul was not defending himself in these chapters; he was defending his apostolic office and, therefore, the message he preached. These lies were being furthered by the false teachers who had visited Corinth and won over part of the church to their false doctrine, which was a mixture of Judaism and the Gospel. Paul was not merely answering critics; he was answering Satan himself (11:13–15). When Paul speaks of “boasting,” it is with a touch of sarcasm. “Your favorite teachers like to boast,” he said, “so I will try to win your love by doing some boasting of my own!” Of course, Paul’s boasting was in the Lord and not in himself. Here in chapter 10, Paul gives several answers to the accusation that his presence was weak while his letters were powerful.

In addition, we can find four lines of defense that you and I should strive to be able to employ when defending our own work for Christ.

I. I Follow Christ’s Example (2 Corinthians 10:1)

2 Corinthians 10:1 (NLT)

1 Now I, Paul, appeal to you with the gentleness and kindness of Christ —though I realize you think I am timid in person and bold only when I write from far away.

(10:1 Αὐτὸς δὲ ἐγὼ Παῦλος παρακαλῶ ὑμᾶς διὰ τῆς πραΰτητος καὶ ἐπιεικείας τοῦ Χριστοῦ, ὃς κατὰ πρόσωπον μὲν ταπεινὸς ἐν ὑμῖν, ἀπὼν δὲ θαρρῶ εἰς ὑμᾶς·)

A- We must strive to reflect the attitude of Jesus in our dealings with people.

1- The attitudes that are glorified as “leadership” in worldly circles are not the attitudes that Christ wants from us.

a- The Corinthians loved to glory in men (1 Cor. 3:21 and 1 Cor. 4:6–7) and were “swept off their feet” by the Judaizing preachers from Palestine. Even though they were preaching a false doctrine (11:4) and taking advantage of the Christians (1 Cor. 11:18–20), they were welcomed by the church and honored above Paul, who had founded the church and risked his life for it. “Paul is so weak!” these teachers said, as they lorded it over the church. “Follow us, because we display real power!”

b- “If I am weak,” Paul replied, “it is not weakness—it is the meekness of Christ” (see v. 1). Christ never “lorded it over” people; His power was exercised in meekness and humility. Meekness is not weakness; meekness is power under control, the ability to be angry at sin, yet willing to suffer abuse for the sake of Christ. Let’s not make the mistake of judging after the outward appearance (10:7) and thinking that some “powerhouse preacher” is necessarily displaying the power of God.

2- Note the characteristics that mark those who are led by the spirit of God: (Galatians 5:22-23)

Galatians 5:22–23 (NLT)

22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

II. I Use Spiritual Weapons (2 Corinthians 10:2–6)

2 Corinthians 10:2–6 (NLT)

2 Well, I am begging you now so that when I come I won’t have to be bold with those who think we act from human motives.

3 We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do.

4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.

5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.

6 And after you have become fully obedient, we will punish everyone who remains disobedient.

(2 δέομαι δὲ τὸ μὴ παρὼν θαρρῆσαι τῇ πεποιθήσει ᾗ λογίζομαι τολμῆσαι ἐπί τινας τοὺς λογιζομένους ἡμᾶς ὡς κατὰ σάρκα περιπατοῦντας.

3 ἐν σαρκὶ γὰρ περιπατοῦντες οὐ κατὰ σάρκα στρατευόμεθα—

4 τὰ γὰρ ὅπλα τῆς στρατείας ἡμῶν οὐ σαρκικὰ ἀλλὰ δυνατὰ τῷ θεῷ πρὸς καθαίρεσιν ὀχυρωμάτων—λογισμοὺς καθαιροῦντες

5 καὶ πᾶν ὕψωμα ἐπαιρόμενον κατὰ τῆς γνώσεως τοῦ θεοῦ, καὶ αἰχμαλωτίζοντες πᾶν νόημα εἰς τὴν ὑπακοὴν τοῦ Χριστοῦ,

6 καὶ ἐν ἑτοίμῳ ἔχοντες ἐκδικῆσαι πᾶσαν παρακοήν, ὅταν πληρωθῇ ὑμῶν ἡ ὑπακοή.)

A- We must strive to use spiritual weapons to fight our battles.

1- Simply because Paul did not use carnal methods and exert the power of a “strong personality,” the believers thought he was a weakling! His weapons were spiritual, not fleshly. Like all of us, Paul “walked in the flesh” (that is, had all the weaknesses of the body), but he did not war after the flesh by depending on fleshly wisdom, human abilities, or physical prowess. Moses had to learn that God’s weapons are spiritual (Acts 7:20–36) and Paul taught this principle in Eph. 6:10. The Word of God and prayer are the only effective weapons in this battle against Satan (Acts 6:4).

2- There was disobedience in Corinth because Christians were believing lies instead of the truth of God’s Word. Paul warned them that he would smash their arguments and false doctrines and bring their hearts and minds to the place of obedience. Church problems are not solved simply by changing the constitution, revising the church program, or reorganizing a board, but by confronting people and problems with the Word of God.

III. I Don’t Judge by Outward Appearance (2 Corinthians 10:7–11)

2 Corinthians 10:7–11 (NLT)

7 Look at the obvious facts. Those who say they belong to Christ must recognize that we belong to Christ as much as they do.

8 I may seem to be boasting too much about the authority given to us by the Lord. But our authority builds you up; it doesn’t tear you down. So I will not be ashamed of using my authority.

9 I’m not trying to frighten you by my letters.

10 For some say, “Paul’s letters are demanding and forceful, but in person he is weak, and his speeches are worthless!”

11 Those people should realize that our actions when we arrive in person will be as forceful as what we say in our letters from far away.

(7 Τὰ κατὰ πρόσωπον βλέπετε. εἴ τις πέποιθεν ἑαυτῷ Χριστοῦ εἶναι, τοῦτο λογιζέσθω πάλιν ἐφʼ ἑαυτοῦ ὅτι καθὼς αὐτὸς Χριστοῦ οὕτως καὶ ἡμεῖς.

8 ἐάν τε γὰρ περισσότερόν τι καυχήσωμαι περὶ τῆς ἐξουσίας ἡμῶν, ἧς ἔδωκεν ὁ κύριος εἰς οἰκοδομὴν καὶ οὐκ εἰς καθαίρεσιν ὑμῶν, οὐκ αἰσχυνθήσομαι,

9 ἵνα μὴ δόξω ὡς ἂν ἐκφοβεῖν ὑμᾶς διὰ τῶν ἐπιστολῶν·

10 ὅτι Αἱ ἐπιστολαὶ μέν, φησίν, βαρεῖαι καὶ ἰσχυραί, ἡ δὲ παρουσία τοῦ σώματος ἀσθενὴς καὶ ὁ λόγος ἐξουθενημένος.

11 τοῦτο λογιζέσθω ὁ τοιοῦτος, ὅτι οἷοί ἐσμεν τῷ λόγῳ διʼ ἐπιστολῶν ἀπόντες, τοιοῦτοι καὶ παρόντες τῷ ἔργῳ.)

A- We need to avoid judging God’s servants by fleshly standards.

1- How foolish of these Christians to discredit Paul because he lacked the physical stamina of Peter or the oratorical power of an Apollos!

a- Carnal Christians are “preacher judges” and like to compare one servant of God with another.

b- Paul warns them that his presence at his next visit would be just as powerful as his letters!

IV. I Let God Do the Commending (2 Corinthians 10:12–18)

2 Corinthians 10:12–18 (NLT)

12 Oh, don’t worry; we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant!

13 We will not boast about things done outside our area of authority. We will boast only about what has happened within the boundaries of the work God has given us, which includes our working with you.

14 We are not reaching beyond these boundaries when we claim authority over you, as if we had never visited you. For we were the first to travel all the way to Corinth with the Good News of Christ.

15 Nor do we boast and claim credit for the work someone else has done. Instead, we hope that your faith will grow so that the boundaries of our work among you will be extended.

16 Then we will be able to go and preach the Good News in other places far beyond you, where no one else is working. Then there will be no question of our boasting about work done in someone else’s territory.

17 As the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”

18 When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them.

(12 Οὐ γὰρ τολμῶμεν ἐγκρῖναι ἢ συγκρῖναι ἑαυτούς τισιν τῶν ἑαυτοὺς συνιστανόντων· ἀλλὰ αὐτοὶ ἐν ἑαυτοῖς ἑαυτοὺς μετροῦντες καὶ συγκρίνοντες ἑαυτοὺς ἑαυτοῖς οὐ συνιᾶσιν.

13 ἡμεῖς δὲ οὐκ εἰς τὰ ἄμετρα καυχησόμεθα, ἀλλὰ κατὰ τὸ μέτρον τοῦ κανόνος οὗ ἐμέρισεν ἡμῖν ὁ θεὸς μέτρου, ἐφικέσθαι ἄχρι καὶ ὑμῶν—

14 οὐ γὰρ ὡς μὴ ἐφικνούμενοι εἰς ὑμᾶς ὑπερεκτείνομεν ἑαυτούς, ἄχρι γὰρ καὶ ὑμῶν ἐφθάσαμεν ἐν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ τοῦ Χριστοῦ—

15 οὐκ εἰς τὰ ἄμετρα καυχώμενοι ἐν ἀλλοτρίοις κόποις, ἐλπίδα δὲ ἔχοντες αὐξανομένης τῆς πίστεως ὑμῶν ἐν ὑμῖν μεγαλυνθῆναι κατὰ τὸν κανόνα ἡμῶν εἰς περισσείαν,

16 εἰς τὰ ὑπερέκεινα ὑμῶν εὐαγγελίσασθαι, οὐκ ἐν ἀλλοτρίῳ κανόνι εἰς τὰ ἕτοιμα καυχήσασθαι.

17 Ὁ δὲ καυχώμενος ἐν κυρίῳ καυχάσθω·

18 οὐ γὰρ ὁ ἑαυτὸν συνιστάνων, ἐκεῖνός ἐστιν δόκιμος, ἀλλὰ ὃν ὁ κύριος συνίστησιν.

A- We need to be more concerned with what God thinks of us than what people think of us.

1- These false teachers were members of a “mutual admiration society,” comparing themselves with one another; consequently they thought very highly of themselves. (See what Jesus says about this in Matt. 5:43–48. Also see Gal. 6:3–4.) But, says Paul, where were these “great teachers” when I risked my life to start the church in Corinth? Anybody can come along after the hard work is done, criticize the founder, and take all the glory! Paul had stretched himself out to reach the people in Corinth with the Gospel, and he was hoping to get their assistance in taking the Gospel “to the regions beyond.” The Judaizers had come along and were boasting in a work that they had never accomplished. Paul’s policy was to take the Gospel where nobody else had ever gone (see Rom. 15:20), while the Judaizers’ policy was to invade another man’s territory and take over the work he had done.

2- Paul was wise enough to leave the matter of commendations to the Lord alone. He refers to Jer. 9:24 in v. 17 (a thought he also quoted in 1 Cor. 1:31). After all, it is the Lord who gives the grace that we might serve Him, and He alone knows our hearts and motives. The apostle was willing to wait for God’s “Well done!” and we should be also.

CONCLUSION:

A- As you review this chapter, you will note several important lessons all of us should learn for being effective workers in the service of Christ.

(1) Don’t be influenced by physical matters.

The greatest servants of God are not always the most handsome or the strongest, humanly speaking.

How easily some Christians are awed by a “Hollywood-style” Christian worker who sweeps them off their feet with imposing looks or hypnotic oratory. This does not mean, of course, that we should deliberately strive for a careless appearance or practice a mock humility. God has made each of us differently, and we must use all that He gives us for His glory.

The most lasting work is done when we use spiritual weapons and tools.

It is one thing to build a crowd, and something else to build a church. Theatrical programs, Madison Avenue promotional schemes, man-honoring displays that depend on the efforts of the flesh—all of these may grab popular attention, but they will never receive the approval of God. We build through prayer and the Word of God, and this takes time, dedication, and sacrifice.

Don’t judge before the time (1 Cor. 4:5).

Let God do the commending. Live for His approval, and your life and ministry will be blessed. You may seem to be a failure in your eyes and the eyes of others, but God may see you and your work as a great success for His glory.