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÷÷2 CORINTHIANS 10
2 CORINTHIANS 10
PARAGRAPH DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS
| UBS4 | NKJV | NRSV | TEV | NJB |
| Paul Defends His Ministry | The Spiritual War | An Appeal for True Apostleship | Paul Defends His Ministry | Paul's Reply to Accusations of Weakness |
| 10:1-6 | 10:1-6 | 10:1-6 | 10:1-6 | 10:1-11 |
| Reality of Paul's Authority | ||||
| 10:7-11 | 10:7-11 | 10:7-11 | 10:7-11 | |
| Limits of Paul's Authority | His Reply to the Accusation of Ambition | |||
| 10:12-18 | 10:12-18 | 10:12-18 | 10:12-16 | 10:12-18 |
| 10:17-18 |
READING CYCLE THREE (see "Bible Interpretation Seminar")
FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT PARAGRAPH LEVEL
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects (reading cycle #3). Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS
WORD AND PHRASE STUDY
÷2 CORINTHIANS 10:1-6
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 2 CORINTHIANS 10:1-6
1Now I, Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ‒I
who am meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent! 2I ask that when I am present I need not be bold
with the confidence with which I propose to be courageous against some, who regard us as if we walked according to the flesh. 3For
though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely
powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge
of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, 6and we are ready to punish all disobedience,
whenever your obedience is complete.
10:1 "Now I, Paul, myself urge you" Paul does not use the "we" of previous chapters because he is defending himself personally from the accusations of the false teachers. Paul used autos and ego (cf. 2 Cor. 12:13; Rom. 7:25; 9:3; 15:24; and in Gal. 5:2 egō and Paulos) to emphasize that this was his personal plea.
For "urge" see full note at 2 Cor. 1:4-11.
▣ "by the meekness and gentleness of Christ" Paul used the appropriate attitude and methodologies even with these false teachers (cf. Matt. 11:29). Meekness was not seen as a virtue by Greek thinkers (i.e., Socrates, Aristotle, Stoics). This reflects one of the faction's criticisms of Paul. M. R. Vincent's Word Studies, vol. 2, asserts that in the Septuagint
are used to translate the same Hebrew words. Remember, the NT was written by Hebrew/Aramaic thinkers writing in Koine Greek. They contrast the rich and powerful vs. the lowly and down-trodden (p. 832).
▣ "who am meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent" This evaluation may refer to Paul's severe letter that was lost (cf. 2 Cor. 1:9-11).
Notice his play on the concept of "meekness."
▣ "bold" See note at 2 Cor. 5:6.
10:2 "I ask" This is the Greek term deomai, which means to ask with urgency or to plead. It is synonymous to the term (i.e., parakaleō, cf. Louw and Nida, Greek-English Lexicon, vol. 1, p. 408) Paul used it in 2 Cor. 10:1 (cf. 2 Cor. 2:8; 5:20; 6:1; 8:6; 9:5; 12:8,18; 13:11). He is urgently pleading with these believers to reevaluate what they have heard from the false teachers.
▣ "that when I am present" Paul did not want to return to Corinth until things had changed. He did not want to be bold, but gentle.
▣ "I need not be bold with the confidence with which I propose to be courageous against some" In this context there is a play on the Greek word for "flesh." The false teachers were accusing Paul of acting from the lowest, base human motives (i.e., in the flesh). While Paul admits that he is in the flesh (i.e., physical body, cf. 2 Cor. 10:3), he strongly asserts that he is not acting from fleshly motives (cf. 2 Cor. 1:17; 2:17; 4:3; 7:2; 10:3-4).
For "confidence" see note at 2 Cor. 3:4.
▣ "propose. . .regard" This is a play on the Greek word logizomai. Paul uses
▣ "walked" This is a Hebrew idiom for lifestyle behavior (e.g., Eph. 4:1,17; 5:2,1).
SPECIAL TOPIC: THE PATH. . .THE WAY
▣ "according to the flesh" They were judging Paul in light of their society's norms (cf. 1 Cor. 9:8; 15:32; Rom. 3:5; Gal. 1:11; 3:15). Believers have a different standard—the revealed word of God:
10:3-6 Paul uses a series of military examples to describe the daily struggle between the Christian and spiritual wickedness (cf. Rom. 7; 8:3-11). This spiritual wickedness is defined in 2 Cor. 10:5 as human logic, wisdom, and argumentation against the gospel (cf. Eph. 6:10-18).
SPECIAL TOPIC: SPIRITUAL WARFARE
10:3 Paul uses the term "flesh" in vv. 2-3 in very distinct ways.
For a more detailed list see SPECIAL TOPIC: FLESH (sarx)
▣ "war" This is the term strateuō, from which we get the English term strategy. It was used of a soldier (cf. 1 Cor. 9:7; 2 Tim. 2:4) or as imagery for a spiritual battle (cf. here and 1 Tim. 1:18). There is an ongoing conflict in the spiritual realm (cf. Eph. 3:2; 4:14; 6:10-20).
10:4-5 There is a series of things in 2 Cor. 10:4-5 which Paul mentions as part of the spiritual conflict.
These phrases possibly refer to the Sophists' terms and rhetoric, which Paul had depreciated in 1 Corinthians 1-4 (cf. Bruce W. Winter, Philo and Paul Among the Sophists, pp. 180-202).
10:4 "the weapons of our warfare" Paul has alluded to this spiritual warfare earlier in 2 Cor. 6:7. The book of Romans was written from Corinth about this same time. He also mentions this warfare in Rom. 6:13 and 13:12. Peter uses the verb form in 1 Pet. 4:1, where he encourages believers to arm themselves in their fleshly struggles. This context has several military images. The Christian life is an ongoing battle with the enemies of humanity (i.e., the world, Satan, and the Adamic nature, cf. Eph. 2:2-3; James 4:1,4,7).
A good resource book in this area is Three Crucial Questions About Spiritual Warfare by Clinton E. Arnold, published by Baker.
SPECIAL TOPIC: SPIRITUAL WARFARE
▣ "for the destruction of fortresses" This may be an allusion to Prov. 21:22 (larger context 2 Cor. 10:13-31). There has been much discussion about the meaning of this phrase among commentators, but it is obvious that 2 Cor. 10:5 is a description of what spiritual fortresses Paul is referring to. It appears he is addressing the false theology of the false teachers.
| 10:5 | |
| NASB | "destroying speculations" |
| NKJV | "casting down arguments" |
| NRSV | "destroy arguments" |
| TEV | "pull down" |
| NJB | "It is ideas that we demolish" |
| REB | "demolish sophistries" |
| Peshitta | "casting down imaginations" |
See note at 2 Cor. 3:5.
| NASB | "and every lofty thing" |
| NKJV | "and every high thing" |
| NRSV | "and every proud obstacle" |
| TEV | "every proud obstacle" |
| NJB | "every presumptuous notion" |
| Peshitta | "and every false thing" |
This is the word for "height" used in the sense of lofty, human thinking. This reflects the false teachers' over-emphasis on
▣ "taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ" The VERB is a compound of "spear" and "to capture in battle." These false teachers were capturing the thought and minds of the Corinthian believers. Paul would have us
Salvation is free, but the Christian life is characterized by obedience (see SPECIAL TOPIC: KEEP), service, worship (see SPECIAL TOPIC: WORSHIP), and perseverance (see SPECIAL TOPIC: PERSEVERANCE. These are covenant responsibilities. There is an ongoing spiritual conflict (cf. Romans 7; Eph. 6:10-19)!
Paul uses the word "thought" (noēma) often in 2 Corinthians (cf. 2 Cor. 2:11; 3:14; 4:4; 11:3), but only one other time, in Phil. 4:7. The Corinthian over-emphasis on knowledge may have been the reason for his recurrent use of the term. The Analytical Greek Lexicon Revised, Harold K. Moulton, ed., lists several connotations (p. 280).
10:6 Paul warns the false teachers and their followers that their day of reckoning is coming (i.e., his visit to Corinth). They accused him of being weak, but they simply misunderstood his patience with them
Note how "obedience" and "disobedience" are contrasted in v. 5 vs. v. 6. The "warfare" (v. 4) is related to the thoughts and actions of the members of the house churches of Corinth. Those who are disobedient to Paul's gospel must be
The gospel of Christ demands right thinking and right living (cf. Luke 6:46; see SPECIAL TOPIC: KEEP).
÷2 CORINTHIANS 10:7-11
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 2 CORINTHIANS 10:7-11
7You are looking at things as they are outwardly. If anyone is confident in himself that
he is Christ's, let him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ's, so also are we. 8For even if I boast somewhat further about
our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be put to shame, 9for I do not wish to seem as if I
would terrify you by my letters. 10For they say, "His letters are weighty and strong, but his personal presence is unimpressive and his speech
contemptible." 11Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when absent, such persons we are also in deed when present.
10:7 "You are looking" In Greek the inflected form could be
The church at Corinth was analyzing and criticizing on a fleshly/worldly/physical level instead of a gospel focus.
▣ "If" This is a FIRST CLASS CONDITIONAL SENTENCE. There were some in the house churches at Corinth who had deceived themselves as to their spiritual condition and standing (i.e., "is confident," PERFECT ACTIVE INDICATIVE, cf. 1 Cor. 14:37). The deception was permanent (i.e., PERFECT TENSE).
▣ "himself" Paul uses this term, eautou, twice in this verse. These false teachers had deceived themselves. This is the hardest spiritual condition to reason with or to affect. This is self imposed spiritual blindness (like the Jewish leaders in John 9).
SPECIAL TOPIC: THE UNPARDONABLE SIN
SPECIAL TOPIC: THE SIN UNTO DEATH
▣ "that just as he is Christ's so also are we" The false teachers were claiming their own spiritual authority and standing, but were denying Paul's.
10:8 "if" This is a THIRD CLASS CONDITIONAL SENTENCE, which implies potential, even probable, action (cf. 2 Cor. 11:1-12:13).
▣ "boast" This term (i.e., kauchaomai and its other forms) is used so often in Paul's Corinthian letters.
See fuller note on use of the word at 2 Cor. 1:12.
▣ "about our authority, which the Lord gave" This refers to Paul's Damascus Road experience (cf. Acts 9:15,16; Rom. 1:5; Gal. 2:9).
SPECIAL TOPIC: AUTHORITY (exousia)
▣ "for building you up and not for destroying you" Paul repeats this phrase in 2 Cor. 13:10. This is similar to the call of Isaiah (cf. Isaiah 6) and Jeremiah (cf. Jeremiah 1), except they were called to do both! Paul uses the same VERB (i.e., kathairesis), which he used in 2 Cor. 10:4 (twice) for destroying strongholds of human reasoning. Paul is called to destroy some things and ideas, but not the church itself. He is called to defend and protect the church (cf. 2 Cor. 10:9).
▣ "I will not be put to shame" Paul is going to defend himself because the false teachers had made him the issue. He defends himself to defend
This may reflect the OT promises of God (cf. Rom. 9:33 and 10:11, quoting Isa. 28:16), where those who trust in God will not be ashamed or disappointed. Paul knew in Whom he trusted!
Even if Paul had boasted too much (cf. NRSV, TEV) in his call and appointment, it was still true and God would defend him! Those who reject Paul's authority are condemned (cf. 1 Cor. 14:37-38).
10:9 Paul's letters were to promote the factious house churches' repentance, not to bring condemnation (cf. 2 Cor. 7:5-13a). But for the false teachers it was a different story (cf. 2 Cor. 10:8,11; 13:10).
10:10 "For they say" "They say" follows uncial manuscript B, the Latin Vulgate, and the Peshitta (Syriac translation of the fifth century). Most other Greek manuscripts have "he," which may refer to a ring leader of the false teachers (cf. 2 Cor. 10:7,11; 11:4). The UBS4 has "he" with no mention of the other variant.
▣ "his personal presence is unimpressive" A second century tradition of Paul's physical description comes from Thessalonica in part of a non-canonical book entitled Paul and Thecla. It says that he was short, bald, bow-legged, had bushy eyebrows and protruding eyes. Paul was not a physically attractive man (cf. Gal. 4:14). Some of these physical characteristics may be related to his thorn in the flesh (cf. 2 Cor. 12:7), which I think was eye problems, probably related to his "road to Damascus" blinding.
It is possible that this phrase, like the next one, refers to Paul's public speaking skills, which were a major item of contention (cf. 1 Cor. 1:17). This phrase often was used of a "stage presence" (cf. Bruce W. Winter, After Paul Left Corinth, p. 35).
▣ "and his speech contemptible" This is a PERFECT PASSIVE PARTICIPLE. This is a strong Greek term (cf. 1 Cor. 1:28; 6:4; 16:11; Rom. 14:3,10). Paul was not a polished public speaker (i.e., Greek rhetorical style, cf. 1 Cor. 1:17; 2 Cor. 11:6). Apollos was the eloquent, rhetorically trained preacher from Alexandria. However, Paul claims that though unskilled in rhetorical style (cf. 2 Cor. 11:6), his message and authority were from Christ.
10:11 The false teacher(s) have accused Paul of having strong letters, but a weak personal presentation. Paul affirms that the strength which they affirmed in his letters would be equaled by the strength of his personal presence if he had to come personally and set things straight himself!
÷2 CORINTHIANS 10:12-18
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 2 CORINTHIANS 10:12-18
12For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who
commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding.
13But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure,
to reach even as far as you. 14For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we did not reach to you, for we were the first to come even
as far as you in the gospel of Christ; 15not boasting beyond our measure, that is, in other men's labors, but with the hope
that as your faith grows, we will be, within our sphere, enlarged even more by you, 16so as to preach the gospel even to the regions beyond
you, and not to boast in what has been accomplished in the sphere of another. 17But he who boasts is to
boast in the Lord. 18For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends.
10:12 "but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves" Paul has alluded to human commendations in 2 Cor. 3:1 (cf. 2 Cor. 10:18); now he expands this to human comparisons. Obviously these false teachers were comparing themselves to Paul in such a way as to accentuate their position and depreciate his.
Paul knew from his study of the OT (cf. 1 Sam. 16:7; Prov. 21:2) how fruitless this was. He was probably also familiar with Jesus' teaching about people who attempt to justify themselves (cf. Luke 10:29; 16:15; 18:9,14).
There is a note of sarcasm in this verse as there is in 2 Cor. 10:1. Paul used this literary form often in 1 Corinthians.
There is an obvious word play between the two AORIST ACTIVE INFINITIVES.
In codex Bezae (fifth century uncial MS) there is a phrase left out at the end of 2 Cor. 10:12 and the beginning of 2 Cor. 10:13. It seems that a scribe's eye moved from "ou" of 2 Cor. 10:12 to "ouk" of 2 Cor. 10:13 and left out the intervening words ("do not understand. But we will not"). The UBS4 gives the phrase's inclusion a "B" rating (almost certain).
SPECIAL TOPIC: TEXTUAL CRITICISM
▣ "they are without understanding This was quite a shocking statement.
10:13 Paul is alluding to his divine call and mandate (i.e., his "road to Damascus" experience, cf. Acts 9; 22:3-16; 26:9-18) to be an Apostle to the Gentiles. He was not comparing or commending, but stating God's call.
God's call on him as special representative to the Gentiles surely included the church at Corinth (cf. 2 Cor. 10:14-15).
▣ "the sphere which God apportioned to us" The NASB Study Bible (p. 1701) has a good comment on this phrase:
"10:13 the sphere which God apportioned to us. The picture Paul has in mind may be that of an athletic contest in which lanes are marked out for the different runners. In that case 'sphere' should be rendered 'lane' (also in 2 Cor. 10:15-16). In intruding themselves into Corinth, the false apostles had crossed into Paul's lane, which was the lane that God had marked out and that had brought him to the Corinthians as their genuine apostle. He has no intention of invading the territory marked out for others and claiming their work as his own, as these false teachers were doing. Others understand the Greek word in question to refer to an assigned sphere of authority."
10:14 "For we are not overextending" This is another "huper" compound, huperekteinō. Paul uses this PREPOSITION often, even coining new words.
SPECIAL TOPIC: PAUL'S USE OF HUPER COMPOUNDS
▣ "we were the first to come even as far as you in the gospel of Christ" Paul was the founder of the Corinthian church, yet the false teachers were trying to take credit (cf. 2 Cor. 10:18b).
SPECIAL TOPIC: THE KERYGMA OF THE EARLY CHURCH
10:15 "not boasting beyond our measure. . .in other men's labors" The false teachers were taking credit for the Corinthian church, which Paul established.
10:16 "so as to preach the gospel even to the regions beyond you" This seems to refer to Paul's desire to go to Rome and/or Spain (cf. Acts 19:21; Rom. 15:22ff). He wanted established churches to help him both with a contribution for Jerusalem and to enable him to travel to the western Mediterranean and establish more churches in areas that had no gospel witness .
For "beyond," this is another "huper" compound, (huperekeinē).
10:17 "he who boasts is to boast in the lord" This is a quote from the Septuagint of Jer. 9:23-24. It is also quoted in 1 Cor. 1:31. All human boasting is folly.
10:18 The real question is which faction, teacher, or theology does Jesus approve (cf. 1 Cor. 4:1-5)?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.
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