The Deep End

Thinking through the Battle

We might think that after three or so chapters dealing specifically with financial giving, and knowing the unpopularity and potential for offense inherent in that subject, Paul would want to take a break and move on to some other topic, and in II Corinthians 10 he does change the subject. However, his interaction with the other problems that needed to be addressed did not get any easier.

Now 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:

II Corinthians 10:1

Paul took up a position of humility, reminding them how “base” (lowly) and gently and meekly he had behaved when he was personally present in Corinth. The undercurrent to these thoughts has to do with the accusations of the Judaizers and false teachers. One of their insults about Paul was that he was very bold in his letters (when he himself was far away), but that he tended to be obsequious and much less confrontational when he was present. This was not true, of course, but he did feel the need, when forced into it, to defend himself and his ministry.

But 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.

II Corinthians 10:2

First, Paul did not need to be as aggressive when he was present in Corinth, because the church members didn’t cut up as much when he was there (a sign of immaturity, like the people who skip church when the pastor is out of town). Second, the false teachers themselves weren’t as bold when Paul was personally there. They just lurked in the background until he left town, then they came out of the shadows and tried to turn people against him and recruit followers for themselves. Third:

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

II Corinthians 10:3

Paul wasn’t interested in fighting a spiritual battle with fleshly or worldly weapons. That doesn’t work. The devil is a better fighter than Christians when it comes to devilish techniques, and when we utilize sin (or when we think we’re strong in the power of our might and don’t need to rely on the power of God) we tend to cut ourselves off from God’s help. As a general rule, God won’t fight a battle for me that I’m trying win in my own strength. Christians have better weapons than personality, charisma, deceit, flattery, gossip, extortion, bullying, faction-forming, appeals to pride, appeals to greed, appeals to popularity, and appeals to influence and ego. Instead, we have the Bible, prayer, love, ministry in the power of the Holy Spirit, faith, and trust in the will of God.

(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

II Corinthians 10:4

This is the part of spiritual warfare that is not as appealing to most people as a prayer march, the pronouncement of the reception of a special “anointing,” a big event, or an outreach strategy. The battle is really in our minds and daily lives. We must ask the Holy Spirit to help us answer this question: “What unbiblical strongholds exist in my mind, and how did they get to this ‘high place?’ Have I imagined them through my speculations, and exalted some worldly thinking or common sense wisdom of man to a place that’s higher in my mind than the place I’ve given to God’s revealed will in His Word?” If so, here is how I’m supposed to deal with them:

Casting 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;

II Corinthians 10:5

I must intentionally and carefully tear them down and place them under the feet of Jesus. I must obey Him even when something else seems to make more sense.

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

II Corinthians 10:6

This was Paul’s statement rebutting the claims of the false teachers in Corinth who said that Paul talked big in his letters, but was much less confrontational when he was personally present in Corinth (vv.10-11). “Having a readiness to revenge all disobedience” means that Paul was more than prepared to deal with these false teachers harshly when he arrived. However, he wanted to give the faithful church members in Corinth the opportunity to do it themselves first. Only when their obedience in dealing with disobedience (to Apostolic doctrine) was “fulfilled,” meaning when they had done all they were willing to do, would he come in and deal with it himself. The exact nature of the “revenge” is left unspecified. It could have meant excommunicating or throwing them out of the church, or even something as extreme as the use of his God-given supernatural gifts and power to chasten, discipline, or punish them.

Paul knew that the false teachers were handsome and charismatic and eloquent. They were good at making shallow friends and influencing people in such a way that they didn’t realize they were being manipulated.

Do 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.

II Corinthians 10:7

The expression “think again” can be a warning expression, “If you think I’m gonna stand for that, you better think again!” Paul was reminding them that they had come to put their trust in Christ by hearing and believing Apostolic doctrine. He didn’t want them to let someone tell them that what Paul and the apostles had taught and preached was false. Rhetorically, if Paul and the apostles had been false teachers, then the Corinthian church members would have been false converts.

For 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:

II Corinthians 10:8