2 Corinthians 10:1-2 (Part 50) Paul on The Defensive

Vindication of his apostolic authority, 10:1-11:15.

Vindication of his apostolic boasting, 11:16-12:13.

Vindication of his apostolic visit, 12:14-13:14.

Paul on the defensive, 10:1-2

• “I myself Paul”

• He opens up with intensive pronoun, personal pronoun, proper noun

• His opposition accuses him of : 1) Being meek and gentle in person; 2) Bold when he is not in person

• “Some” (v. 20)—the vocal minority who infiltrated the Corinthians church

• Basically have three people here: 1) Paul the apostle; 2) The fake super apostles; 3) All the gullible Christians

New Testament Concepts on Authority

• God alone is the ultimate authority

• God has the right to designate authority as He chooses

• The authority is limited by the one who designated

• If one is given authority, he must not fear to exercise it

Observations

• Beware of pious (hypocritical religiosity) religious talk.

• No matter how you walk in sincerity, there will always be someone to come along and dispute your value system