2 Corinthians 10:7-18 • Biblical Authority

Review & Overview

1. Previous Study’s Review

Last time together we began the 3rd & final section of the book dealing with the area of The Defense of Paul’s Ministry: chps.10-13:

Context deals with Paul’s 1st letter to Corinth it was hard hitting... Paul exposed the fact they were Divisive... Sexually Immoral... Unethical... Idolatrous... they were pretty messed up...

So he wrote 1 Cor. to straighten them out... but there were many who were Critical of Paul for that... & they questioned his Motives & his Authority for writing that letter... so in chp.10-13 Paul deals with it...

The 1st charge against Paul by his critics is that, He walked according to the Flesh... vs.2...

Paul’s answer was 2 fold, it involved:

1. His Appeal - How? Meekness & Gentleness of Christ - What? Repent

2. In the Spirit - Walking in flesh, strategy, Weapons mighty in God...

Paul made it very clear he didn’t write that 1st letter in the flesh... or by the flesh... but out of love by the Spirit of God.

2. Current Study’s Overview

This brings us to vs.7 and the next accusations against Paul by his critics about his: His Defense of his Apostolic Ministry, his Spiritual Authority... Read...

As you can see in our quick reading of our text we see that Paul is answering his critics about his Spiritual Authority...

This issue of Authority is a big one... because we all want to be in charge... we all want to be the authority on the matter... have the big office... make the big bucks... be the Top G...

So Paul puts the matter of his Spiritual Authority into perspective...

There are 6 elements, 6 things we want to look at regarding Spiritual Leadership & Authority.

Undertone: Leadership....

1. Spiritual Authority Is Not Based On Outward Appearance Vs. 7 & 10

1.1 Vs.7a & 10

The verb look is in the indicative mood, statement of fact: you do look at the outward appearance...

The false teachers were superficial & Shallow and they looked only on the surface of things.

Back in vs.1 we’re told Paul’s presence is lowly... Look at vs.10...

In the apocrypha we’re told Paul is short, bald, bow legged, eyebrows met in the middle, he had a hook nose lol

Gal.4:15 eye problems...

2 Cor.12:9-10 many infirmities.

From an outward appearance Paul was crusty... & this is how they saw him... externally...

They mistook his meekness for weakness... they were looking with their physical eyes not spiritual eyes.

But... It’s not about what’s on the outside... it’s about what’s on the inside... vs.7b.

ILLUSTRATION: This morning Emma told me Eugene doesn’t look like a pastor. I told her...

1.2 Vs.7b

Paul is saying here that he’s the real deal...

They didn’t realize that Paul’s Spiritual Authority was Not Based on his Outward Appearance...

1 Samuel 16:7 NKJV

7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

For one to know a person is truly a Christian is not based on the external but on the internal...

2. Spiritual Authority Comes from the Lord Vs. 8a

The Reality of Spiritual Authority... is that it Comes from the Lord...

Having Spiritual Authority is not something work for... strive for... or earn...

Chuck: man appoints but God anoints... so it’s a work of the Spirit not a work of the Flesh...

Maybe talk about Moses on being CALLED...

3. Spiritual Authority Results In Edification Vs. 8b -9

3.1 Edification Vs. 8b

If the Lord has put us in a place of Spiritual Authority or Leadership it’s for Edification not Destruction...

It’s to Build others Up... not to Tear others Down... turn 2 Cor.13:10, Paul was a true spiritual leader.

2 Corinthians 13:10 “10 Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for edification and not for destruction.”

Look at Eph.4:11:12... because the Lord has given us spiritual authority to build up... to edify others... read.

Ephesians 4:11–12 NKJV

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

ILLUSTRATION: About Church building in the east coast...

3.2 Terrifying Letters Vs. 9

The last thing Paul wanted to do was to bring terror into the lives of the Corinthians...

He loved them... he had genuine concern for them... & he wanted repentance from them...

True spiritual authority will have a genuine concern for others and bring edification not terror or fear.

What was the reason for the letters???

APPLICATION: Pastors should not instill fear into the people...

4. Spiritual Authority Is Consistent Vs. 11

Paul wasn’t a hypocrite, he wasn’t fake - he was Consistent toward Others…

This is good thing for any Spiritual Leader... A good spiritual leader is the same in public and in private.

I like what Jesus tells the Pharisees in…

Matthew 23:27–28 NKJV

27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. 28 Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

These words are a reminder that our external actions and internal character must align in the eyes of God.

APPLICATION: As spiritual leaders and followers of Christ, we are called to a higher standard. Our faith and actions should not be like a garment we put on for others to see and then put it off to side in private.

Instead, our devotion to God should permeate every aspect of our lives, radiating integrity, honesty, and humility, both in the public and in the quietness of our homes.

ILLUSTRATION: About kid asking dad why he is different at church than when he is at home?

ILLUSTRATION: I heard a story from the mid 1800’s, of a large, beautiful clock tower in the center of a town.

This clock was unique because it had two faces – one facing north and one facing south on the other side of the tower.

From one side of the town, the clock was functioning perfectly, keeping accurate time. The townspeople who live on this side organized their days by this clock, trusting in its precision.

However, on the other side of the town, the situation was entirely different. The clock's other face was broken, some of the gears were dirty and made the clock’s hands move much slower.

And to the people on this side of the town were misled, their schedules thrown into chaos because the clock they relied on was not what it appeared to be.

APPLICATION: This clock is much like a spiritual leader who lives a life of hypocrisy. To some, they may appear righteous and faithful, their 'public face' showing the correct time.

But in their private life, away from the eyes of their congregation, they are like the broken face of the clock, misaligned and misleading.

Just as a clock is trusted to show the true time, a spiritual leader is trusted to live by the truth of God's Word, publically & privately.

When there is a discrepancy between their public and private lives, it not only affects their personal walk with God but also has the potential to mislead those who look up to them.

5. Spiritual Authority Is Not Self Approved Vs. 12 & 18

Spiritual authority and leadership is approved by 2 elements:

5.1 Spiritual Authority Is Approved By Fruit Vs. 12

The word Commend means to approve or establish... These false teachers were commending themselves and as a spiritual leaders we are not to do this.

turn 2 Cor.3:1-2. I can’t tell you how many social media ads I see of pastors who self approve themselves who tell others how great they are...

2 Corinthians 3:1–2 “1 Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some others, epistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you? 2 You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men;”

The problem that Paul’s accusers had was their standard of how they evaluated themselves.

These false teachers compared themselves not with God’s divine standards of what a spiritual leader is, but they compared themselves with themselves, with other men, who were like them.

They evaluated their authority by using human standards. And according to the end of Vs. 12 it’s not wise.

APPLICATION: You know, there is always the temptation to compare ourselves with others. In our human frailty, it's easy to look sideways, measuring our worth, accomplishments, and spiritual walk against those of our brothers and sisters and friends.

This verse is a reminder that comparing ourselves with others is not only unwise but also detracts from our true purpose and identity in Christ.

Our standard is not the achievements, status, or spiritual maturity of others, but rather the character and holiness of God Himself. In Isaiah 55:8, the Lord declares

Isaiah 55:8 “8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.”

When we shift our focus from others to God, we find freedom from the chains of envy, pride, and insecurity.

We are called to be imitators of Christ, to walk in His footsteps, and to conform to His image (Ephesians 5:1-2, Romans 8:29).

Ephesians 5:1–2 NKJV

1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

Romans 8:29 NKJV

29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Our journey is personal and unique, designed by God specifically for us. We are to run our race, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Hebrews 12:1–2 NKJV

1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

In Christ, we find our true worth and identity. So we need to resist the urge to compare ourselves with others, and instead strive to grow in the likeness of our Lord and Savior.

In doing so, we honor God and fulfill the purpose for which we were wonderfully made.

So how do we know someone has true authority? A good leader?

APPLICATION: Because we can commend ourselves all day long... but it’s the fruit in our lives that will cause others to commend us... approve us... establish us...

Matthew 7:16–20 NKJV

16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

ILLUSTRATION: Pastor Clark’s story on becoming a pastor… How the people ordained him...

5.2 Spiritual Authority Is Approved By God Vs. 18

Paul knew that his spiritual authority involved God’s approval... not mans...

Any kind of spiritual leadership needs to be approved by God... not by man...

Why... because we’re all going to stand before God... not man

2 Corinthians 5:10 NKJV

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

We’re all going to stand before the Lord and give an account...

So no matter what kind of spiritual leadership role we’re in... we need to understand the Reality regarding it...

6. Spiritual Authority Does Not Boast Beyond Measure Vs. 13-17

6.1 Vs. 13

Paul knew his place, he was not going to step outside the sphere of spiritual authority that God gave him. In other words, he wasn’t going to exaggerate...

Nor should we... if the Lord has appointed us to a specific ministry we shouldn’t boast about it making it sound like it’s so much more then it really is...

We simply need to be content with what we have & what we do...

Philippians 4:11 NKJV

11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:

1 Timothy 6:6 NKJV

6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain.

APPLICATION: Pop off about contentment

6.2 Vs. 14-16

Paul understood his restrictions... his sphere of ministry... his boundaries in ministry...

Paul didn’t capitalize on another man’s labor or sphere of accomplishment regarding the Gospel...

Paul was committed to Preaching the Gospel in the regions beyond not taking over the church in Corinth

APPLICATION: Sad many Spiritual Leaders today don’t reach out with the Gospel... they simply want to take Christians from other churches to fill theirs...

6.3 Boast in the Lord Vs. 17

This is a quotation from Jer.9:24 as Jeremiah speaks of the captivity of Israel by the Babylonians...

He is saying don’t glory in wisdom... might... or riches... because they can’t save you... You better Glory in the Lord... because only the Lord can save you from Babylon...

Glory Definition - to boast, to show off. Specifically to show off verbally...

Same exact greek word as boast.

APPLICATION: Point: if God has put us in a place of Spiritual Authority... Spiritual Leadership... & anything good happens...

if anything wonderful comes about... it happened in spite of us not because of us...

So we need to Glory in the Lord... because we can’t glory in ourselves...

Galatians 6:14 NKJV

14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Isaiah 42:8 NKJV

8 I am the Lord, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, Nor My praise to carved images.

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