2 Corinthians 10
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Paul has spent 7 chapters making his case defending himself against the false apostles that had tried to put doubt in the Corinthians mind about Pauls ability, his apostleship, his handling of money, and more
He’s spent 2 chapters teaching the Corinthians about Christian giving and doing so from the heart.
3rd Major division in the book (10:1-13:10)
The first 15 verses of chapter 11 go with chapter 10 but honestly, with bible school this week I didn’t have time to get comfortable enough to give them this morning
I won’t be here next week, but I’m going to try to get a lesson put up on facebook and youtube for it anyway and will go through Chapter 11
But here in chapter 10 Paul takes another tone.
While kinda addressing his accusers, he’s mostly been teaching and discipling.
Now he addresses them directly
Chapter 10
Chapter 10
1 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: 2 But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
1: Paul tells them, it’s him, the same Paul - the founding apostle of the Corinthian church, and their spiritual father pleading with them
Doing so with the “meekness and gentleness of Christ” - he’s thought of as weak in person and confident by letter
2: He’s urging them to act right, so he don’t have to be harsh when he visits them again
harsh like he’s going to be toward the ones claiming he’s a fraud - weak and unimpressive and totally not like a real apostle would act
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Yes, he’s a human being, but he doesn’t “fight” using human weapons. He fights using the authority and weapons God has given him to take apart human arguments
he doesn’t say what those are here, but he uses the proclamation of the Gospel that unleashes the power of God to tear down imaginations and all the ideas that people think stack up to God’s truth
All the thoughts and ideas that people use to convince themselves the Gospel is untrue, isn’t needed, or doesn’t apply to them
the picture Paul is painting is a fortress (human pride and self-sufficency) taken over and the captives inside taken for Christ
Paul’s not trying to just win arguments, he’s trying to lead people to Jesus
Paul responds to two criticisms
Paul responds to two criticisms
6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. 7 Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ’s, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ’s, even so are we Christ’s. 8 For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:
the disobedience will be addressed by Paul, who is Christ’s apostle and brings the authority in his ministry given by Jesus
“stop judging by appearance, I’m as much Christ’s as anyone”
that authority is to grow the obedient Corinthians, not tear them down
After the Corinthians follow through on the repentance Titus reported, Paul can move ahead with any discipline toward the members of the congregation standing against Paul
9 That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters. 10 For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. 11 Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present.
Paul addresses the accusation point blank: “his letters boast of an authority he doesn’t have, look at him, he’s physically weak and he speaks horribly”
For all the “haters” that think this, rest assured when he gets there, he’ll act and speak the same in person as he has in his letters!
Just because Paul hasn’t, don’t be fooled to think he can’t
12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. 13 But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you. 14 For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ: 15 Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men’s labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly, 16 To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s line of things made ready to our hand. 17 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 18 For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.
A little satire from Paul: “Not that we measure or compare ourselves to some that measure or compare themselves to each other, or said they came by the authority given by themselves”
Paul’s sense of humor may peek through, he’s absolutely not afraid to compare himself, because he knows who he is in Christ
He’s not even playing their game because it’s unwise to do so
Instead, Paul uses God as the yardstick they measure themselves to and they were sent by authority of Jesus. That’s who gave his commendation
Paul stays in the lane given to Him by Jesus. Preaching the Gospel of Christ in the places Jesus gave him authority.
Not bragging, like others, about any ability or power other than Christ and Him crucified
Believing in faith, that Jesus IS the power to save and sanctify and as the Corinthians grow in grace and truth, the places Paul can go to preach the Gospel and maybe start other churches increase in number
Paul’s goal is to spread the Gospel beyond Corinth and as they are obedient and grow and witness, those opportunities grow as well
Paul may be echoing Jeremiah 9:23–24 “23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: 24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.”
the implication is the ones commending themselves had gone into the field given to Paul because he planted the church there. Paul respected the boundaries, they haven’t.
Any growth of the church or in their faith should be glory given to Jesus
And it’s the ones sent by the Lord and not themselves or each other are the ones approved
Conclusion
Conclusion
Unfortunately, in the church today there are plenty of teachers commending themselves based on the worlds standards: number of followers, appearance, speaking ability, and so on.
the true indicator of commendation is Christlikeness and truth in love
More unfortunately, there are many that use the same strategy and tactics the world uses instead of the only true standard of truth, the Bible
Paul's specific fight was for the truth of the gospel against rivals who looked more impressive than he did
— but the underlying principle, that God's power works through means the world considers weak, while human strategies (however successful-looking) can't actually free anyone, applies to every believer's confrontation with worldly thinking.
That’s spiritual warfare for us today
What does authentic spiritual strength look like?
Not some list of accomplishments or letters behind the name, polished delivery, or self-promotion, but a life and ministry that points away from itself to Christ,
and works inside the boundaries God assigns, and trusts the gospel itself (not human strategy) to do the actual work of freeing people.
