If you want to win a war, it helps a lot to have the best weapons and the best strategy. The same goes for an argument – if you have a strong position, a confident delivery and an airtight logic, you’ll win it for sure. But when Paul moves to a personal defence of his apostleship and ministry in the second part of 2 Corinthians (ch. 10-13), we find that he does not use the usual (worldly) weapons or strategies. Instead he appeals to the humility and gentleness of Christ and how those characteristics must define his boldness and determine his boasting. Because, in the end, our standard and measurement cannot be ourselves or others, but only the cross of Christ – the gospel of grace – “the power of God and the wisdom of God.” (1Co 1:24)
