Chapter 10
In Defense of the Ministry and God
Like most Christian leaders, Paul had his distractors. Not only did he have the ongoing resistance from the Jews, he also dealt with a variety of philosophers, itinerant preachers, and other nay sayers. Some of which tried to find fault with Paul and his ministry. This chapter focuses on addressing some of the criticisms from within the church, many of which pretended to be from inside the church.
10:1 I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away!—
Paul begins by addressing the claim that some of the people thought of him being bold or audacious in making the points he did in his first epistle. He appeals to them in the gentleness and meekness of Jesus, meaning he wants to discuss this topic with a gentle but firm approach. He knows he received criticism for being bold on paper but then being meek and humble in person. Making him look like a timid person who is only bold when he is away.
10:2 I beg of you that when I am present I may not have to show boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh.
He asks that when he is there in person that there will not be a need for him to be bold with those who think he is motivated by human ideas and desires. Paul desires for them to meet in cordial manner.
10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 6 being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.
Paul states that though they walk in the flesh, being human, they do not wage war as humans do. The weapons they use are not of human design but are from God designed to destroy enemy strongholds, including those of human reasoning and false arguments raised against the knowledge of God. With the power to take captive those ideas and thoughts that are contrary to God so people can see, find, and begin to obey Jesus. If they are believers, Paul and his fellow kingdom workers stand ready to point out their errors, through punishment if necessary, until they understand the truth and obey God.
10:7 Look at what is before your eyes. If anyone is confident that he is Christ’s, let him remind himself that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we. 8 For even if I boast a little too much of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be ashamed.
Paul calls them to look at what’s in front of them, essentially asking, “What do they see?” Those that call themselves believers must also see that he is also a believer. He may at times assert the authority God gave him, but it is always for building them up, not to tear them down or degrade them in any way. Paul notes that if he has to use his authority from God to return them to Him, he is not ashamed to do so.
10:9 I do not want to appear to be frightening you with my letters. 10 For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account.” 11 Let such a person understand that what we say by letter when absent, we do when present. 12 Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.
Paul tells them that he is not trying to frighten them with his letters (epistles), as he has heard that some have noted that his letters are demanding and forceful, but in person is the opposite, appearing weak whose talks are worthless. In defense, Paul asks for such a person to be told that they are wrong, that what he writes is the same as what he says in person. Paul injects some humor when he wrote, “Oh, don’t worry; we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant!” (2 Corinthians 10:12, NLT)
10:13 But we will not boast beyond limits, but will boast only with regard to the area of influence God assigned to us, to reach even to you. 14 For we are not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach you. For we were the first to come all the way to you with the gospel of Christ. 15 We do not boast beyond limit in the labors of others. But our hope is that as your faith increases, our area of influence among you may be greatly enlarged, 16 so that we may preach the gospel in lands beyond you, without boasting of work already done in another’s area of influence. 17 “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 18 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
Paul claims he will not boast beyond limits, that he will not boast outside the boundaries of the work and responsibilities given to him from God in order to reach them and others with the gospel message. Their boasting did not exceed those boundaries when they brought God’s plan of salvation to them, and they will not boast or claim credit for work that was already done. Instead, it is their hope that their faith will grow and the number of believers will expand. His goal is that the result will be that the gospel be preached in places far beyond them.
By now everyone is undoubtedly wondering about Paul’s excessive use of the Greek word that is translated as boast, boasts, boasting, etc. (found 37 times in the New Testament, 20 times in this epistle alone). The root word is ‘kauchaomai’ which indeed means to boast, to state something with a high degree of confidence, but doesn’t only imply ‘bragging’ as it can be used in both positive and negative applications. Previously, we read that Paul taught, “Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?” (1 Corinthians 5:6, ESV, see also 1 Corinthians 4:7) and James also wrote, “As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.” (James 4:16, ESV) Paul now clarifies the proper application for boasting, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” And that for those who commend themselves, that doesn’t really count for much, as it only counts if God does the commendation. In the Old Testament we find that the prophet Jeremiah recorded this explanation, “Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.” (Jeremiah 9:23-24)
Considerations
In verses four and five we find some interesting statements. To illustrate I am going to use the Amplified Bible, a version that uses material in between the brackets and parenthesis to provide additional information from the publisher for clarification.
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds,
5 [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One)[1]
In verse four Paul identifies their weapons of warfare as not being physical weapons, but are mighty before God for the purpose of overthrowing and destroying of strongholds (places occupied by the enemies of God). Paul then in verse five explains one way to defeat the enemy, by refuting arguments, theories, and reasonings, as well as refuting every proud and lofty idea that sets itself up against the true knowledge of God, which will, when successful, lead to the understanding and obedience of Jesus. Paul is identifying here that not only is there a spiritual battle that impedes the gospel message but there is also an intellectual barrier (or barriers) that need to be fought as well. The question is how do we do that? The answer is through divine reason.
This is where Christian apologetics comes in. The term 'apologetics' comes from the Greek word ‘apologia’, referring to a legal defense. In Christianity it refers to the ability to rationally defend the Bible (see Acts 25:13-17; 22:1; 1 Corinthians 7:11; 9:13; Philippians 1:7; 16; 2 Timothy 4:16).
For example, can you defend your hope in Jesus to any of your family members, a co-worker, a friend, or to a stranger? Okay, good, how about if someone asks: 1) Does God really exist? 2) Where did the Bible come from? 3) Is the Bible reliable? 4) Doesn’t the Bible contain contradictions? 5) What about the dinosaurs? 6) Who is Jesus and did He really exist? 7) What about the age of the Earth? 8) Do we still need a God with what we know about science? 9) Don’t all religions point to heaven? 10) Why are Christians divided? 11) Did God use evolution? 12) Isn’t truth relative? 13) Isn’t the God of the Koran the same God of the Bible? Okay, I'll stop, but these are only a few of the questions that some unbelievers are asking today. As faithful followers of Jesus, we should have good answers, not just give some “shade of gray,” or otherwise wishy-washy answer. We need to be prepared to give an answer (see 1 Peter 3:15, see also Colossians 4:6). Understand we run the risk of losing our children or grandchildren to the world.
Sadly, some Christians oppose the study of apologetics thinking that it leaves the Bible out of the discussion, but in reality the complete opposite is true. In order to be prepared to defend our faith we begin by knowing the Word of God. It serves as both the foundation and centerpiece in any and every discussion regarding God. Yes, to answer some questions may require additional resources, but there are many available online.[2] Some people may require numerous ongoing discussions, but the good news is that it's just like presenting the gospel, it's not our job to get the commitment, as that's the Holy Spirit's role. We just need to be willing and able to answer their questions, just enough to make them rethink their position (to make them a little uncomfortable, like a pebble in their shoe). But always pray before!
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[1] The Amplified Bible (2 Co 10:4–5). (1987). The Lockman Foundation.
[2] If looking for apologetics resources please send us a request via email and we will send you our recommended resource and ministry list.