A man seen from behind on the rocky slope of Acrocorinth at dawn, looking out over the gulf and far hills to the west.

The Book of

2 Corinthians 10

Some in Corinth say Paul is bold on paper and weak in person. He answers with the gentleness of Christ.

18 verses≈ 3 min1 personBSB

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In this chapter

Where we are

1–2:13ComfortWhy Paul changed his plans
2:14–5:10Treasure in clayThe glory of the new covenant
5:11–7Be reconciledOpen your hearts; joy restored
8–9Generous givingThe gift for the saints
10–13Strong in weaknessPaul's defence of his ministryChapter 10

Paul’s Apostolic Authority

by the mildness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you

2 Corinthians 10:1–2

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Not the weapons of the flesh

Whiteboard

Paul lives in an ordinary human body, but he doesn’t fight the way the world fights: no pressure, no tricks, no force. His weapons come from God. They pull down ideas and pride that stand against knowing God, not people. And the battle ends in a mind gladly obedient to Christ.

For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the flesh. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

2 Corinthians 10:5

And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, as soon as your obedience is complete.

Question

Quick question

Paul says he is at war, but not “according to the flesh.”

What do the weapons Paul describes tear down?

You are looking at outward appearances. If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should remind himself that we belong to Christ just as much as he does. For even if I boast somewhat excessively about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed.

I do not want to seem to be trying to frighten you by my letters.

Someone might ask

For some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but his physical presence is unimpressive, and his speaking is of no account.”

Paul

Such people should consider that what we are in our letters when absent, we will be in our actions when present.

Reflect

More than appearances

“You are looking at outward appearances,” Paul tells the church. Some judged him by his looks and his speaking, not by Christ at work in him. Think of someone you have quietly written off because of how they come across. What might God be doing in them that you haven’t seen? And where do you measure yourself by appearances?

When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they show their ignorance.

2 Corinthians 10:12

Paul

The roofs of ancient Corinth at night below the dark mass of Acrocorinth, countless small lamplit windows scattered across the city.

A man seen from behind kneeling on a stone floor in morning light, his empty hands open on his knees.

Rather, “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

0:10

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends

2 Corinthians 10:18

Pray

Boast in the Lord

Paul won’t compete with his rivals, and he won’t praise himself. He leaves his approval with God: “the one whom the Lord commends.” Bring Him your need to be noticed and approved. Ask Him to take every proud or anxious thought captive, and to make you glad to boast in Him alone.

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2 Corinthians 10

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A verse to carry with you

We demolish arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:5

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