He is a flesh and blood human being, and he struggles with the same things the Corinthian Christians struggled with. For though we walk in the flesh: Paul will admit that he walks according to the flesh in the sense that we all do. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.Ī. ( 2 Corinthians 10:3-6) Does Paul minister according to the flesh?įor though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. Today, the idea of apostolic authority is cheapened by many of those who claim to be “apostles.”ģ.
It is important to see how vital Paul’s sense of apostolic authority was to him. In the following section, Paul will defend his apostolic authority. He is accused of this because of the perceived contradiction between his gentleness and his severity.Ĭ. They said he was a man who walked according to the flesh. Who think of us as if walked according to the flesh: This is another aspect of the accusations made against Paul by some of the Corinthian Christians. It may have been merely a vocal minority.ī. I intend to be bold against some: Some reminds us that we shouldn’t think that all the Corinthian Christians had a bad opinion or Paul. ( 2 Corinthians 10:2) Paul hopes that the Corinthians will change their attitude towards him and his credentials as an apostle so that he may come to them in gentleness, not severity.īut I beg you that when I am present I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.Ī. Those who can’t see that boldness and lowliness can be found in the same person don’t know the life of Jesus very well.Ģ. Who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you: How can the same person be in presence lowly and bold toward you at other times? Isn’t this contradictory? It isn’t a contradiction at all. They accused him of backing down in any face-to-face confrontation.ĭ. The Corinthians criticized Paul as if he were a dog that barked loudly, but only at a distance. They said that Paul seemed reserved in person but very bold in his letters. Who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you: Here, Paul reveals a matter of great contention between him and the Corinthian Christians. Yet he does it all in the meekness and gentleness of Christ.Ĭ. Pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ: In these next few chapters, Paul will get a little “rough” with the Corinthian Christians. Paul as despicable in his person, his ministry, and his influence.” (Clarke)ī. “Having now finished his directions and advices relative to the collection for the poor, he resumes his argument relative to the false apostle, who had gained considerable influence by representing St. This isn’t likely, but it does show that Paul is changing gears as he ends the letter. Some have even thought that 2 Corinthians 10 through 13 really make up a different letter that was added to the end of 2 Corinthians 1 through 9. Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you: Paul introduces this chapter with a change of tone. Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ - who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you.Ī. ( 2 Corinthians 10:1) Paul pleads with the Corinthians.
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