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Summary

2 Corinthians 10:1–6 – Meekness, Authority, and Spiritual Warfare

What happens: Paul appeals by the meekness and gentleness of Christ. He says he does not wage war according to the flesh, because the weapons of the Christian fight have divine power to destroy strongholds. He destroys arguments and lofty opinions against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive to obey Christ, ready to punish disobedience when their obedience is complete.

What it means: True authority looks like Christ’s humility and God’s power, not human show. The battle is spiritual and centers on truth, minds, and obedience. God’s holiness calls believers to submit thoughts and habits to Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:7–11 – Authority to Build Up

What happens: Paul challenges those who judge by appearances. If anyone belongs to Christ, so does he. The Lord gave him authority to build them up, not tear them down. Some say his letters are weighty but his presence is weak; Paul says he will be in person what he is in his letters.

What it means: God gives leaders authority to strengthen the church. Appearance and style are not the measure; faithfulness is. Integrity means consistency in word and action.

2 Corinthians 10:12–18 – Boast Only in the Lord

What happens: Paul refuses to compare himself with self-commenders who measure themselves by themselves. He will boast only within the field God assigned, which includes Corinth. As their faith grows, he hopes to preach beyond them. He quotes, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord,” because approval comes from the Lord, not from self.

What it means: Comparison breeds pride or despair; worship kills both. God assigns fields of service and calls for faithfulness there. Glory belongs to the Lord, who alone commends.

Application

  • Fight spiritual battles with God’s truth, not human tactics.
  • Use authority to build up, reflecting Christ’s gentleness and courage.
  • Refuse the trap of comparison; boast only in the Lord.
  • Seek God’s commendation above human praise and stay within your calling.

Bible

1Now 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:

2But 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.

3For 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;)

5Casting 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;

6And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

7Do 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.

8For 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:

9That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.

10For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.

11Let 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.

12For 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.

13But 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.

14For 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:

15Not 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,

16To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand.

17But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

18For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.

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