Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and proceeded to make his defense. - Acts 26:1
It has been suggested by some Bible scholars that the contents of chapters 10-13 of 2 Corinthians come from a different letter than those of chapters 1-9. Those who support this theory suppose that chapters 10-13 are the main body of Paul’s “tearful letter”, which he likely wrote from Ephesus after returning from his brief, heartbreaking visit to Corinth during its season of rebellion. If this is true, chapters 10-13 were written prior to chapters 1-9 and under very different circumstances. Following this hypothesis, chapters 10-13 were written to a wayward Corinthian church while chapters 1-9 were written to a recently repentant Corinthian church.
As we study chapter 10 this morning, notice how the tone shifts. In chapters 8-9 Paul had been speaking to the Corinthians about his confident expectation that they’d participate generously in “the collection for the saints”. Rather abruptly, he now erupts into a fierce defense of himself and his own personal integrity. He courageously calls out the false prophets who were (or recently had been, depending on which theory you follow) prevalent in the Corinthian church. I have titled today’s message, “Paul Describes Himself”.
I. SPIRITUAL, NOT PHYSICAL (2 Cor. 10:1-6)
By the meekness and gentleness of Christ, Paul urged the Corinthians to change their ways. He knew that if their resistance to the gospel continued, when he came again he’d have no other choice but to approach them with extreme boldness and confidence. He’d have to courageously combat certain people who were promoting lies and leading the church astray.
These false prophets claimed that Paul was bold in his letters, but meek in his presence. In other words, they accused him of being “all bark when absent, but no bite when present”. They also regarded Paul and his team as men who walked according to the flesh. In other words, they slandered Paul as being a worldly person who was controlled by sinful, carnal desires.
Paul explained that, although he and his peers walked in the flesh - that is, they were human beings, they did not war in the flesh - that is, they didn’t deal with conflict in conventional ways. His weapons of warfare were not earthly, but divine. Paul understood that the battles he fought and fortresses he encountered were spiritual, not physical (Ephesians 6:12). He sought to destroy and captivate thoughts, speculations, and everything that was raised up against the knowledge of God.
Paul knew that the battlefield of the human soul is in the heart and mind. Our thoughts and feelings control our decisions and behaviors. Knowing this, he called the Corinthians to obedience - to a proper understanding of and faithful allegiance to the truth of God. He also declared his readiness to discipline, if necessary, those who stubbornly remained in disobedience. When the time was right, he would return to Corinth to confront his adversaries.
II. MEEK, NOT WEAK (2 Cor. 10:7-11)
Paul faulted the Corinthians for focusing on outward appearances while not considering the inner condition of their hearts. He challenged them to evaluate the authenticity of their own faith. As for himself and his peers, Paul was confident that they were firmly rooted in Christ. Whatsmore, he was certain of his calling as an apostle and the authority that came with that office. This authority was not for tearing the Corinthians down, but rather for building them up. Paul stated that he would not misuse or abuse his apostolic authority, otherwise he’d be put to shame.
Yes, Paul’s letters directly and unapologetically exposed the Corinthians’ sinful practices and beliefs. Yes, they boldly and uncompromisingly declared the truth of God and called for appropriate corrections to be made. Still, they were not intended to terrify the Corinthians as having been written without any love or affection for the church. They were not meant to be perceived as mean-spirited, hateful, brow-beating, or oppressive.
Among other things, the false teachers who had risen up in the Corinthian church described Paul’s letters as weighty and strong, but alleged that his personal presence was unimpressive and his speech contemptible. Ironically, Paul wasn’t overly concerned with being an eloquent, dynamic orator (1 Corinthians 2:1). Though his critics implied that he was weak and even cowardly, Paul forewarned that he and his friends intended to take bold action as necessary when they arrived in order to restore order, just as he’d written in his letters.
III. MINE, NOT YOURS (2 Cor. 10:12-18)
Somewhat sarcastically, Paul concluded that he didn’t really care how he was being compared to others. Who cares what they think? Besides, they were using foolish, worldly standards to commend themselves anyway. He simply wasn’t going to play this game. Ministry isn’t some sort of popularity contest to see who is the most charismatic, skilled, or likable person.
Nor would Paul take credit for things he and his colleagues hadn’t done. He wasn’t trying to gain followers or fans. He wasn’t aiming to get more clicks. He was simply focused on the work Christ had given to him and would boast only in that. Paul had carried the gospel as far as Corinth and his hope was that, through their faith, his influence for Christ might reach to even farther regions. That said, he did not infringe upon or claim recognition for the work of other missionaries.
To finalize his point, Paul cited Jeremiah 9:24. He made this same Scripture reference in an earlier letter to Corinth also (1 Corinthians 1:31). Paul wrote that he who boasts should boast in the LORD, not in his own merits, skills, or accomplishments. Men are not approved by their own commendations, but rather by the commendation of the LORD. God’s opinion is the only one that really counts.
CONCLUSION
Untrue things were being said about Paul to damage his reputation, undermine his credibility, and erode his trustworthiness. By slandering Paul and causing many of the Corinthians to doubt him, false prophets gained power and implemented their own erroneous agendas in the church. Paul knew that he must defend himself and reestablish his character before calling them to repentance, otherwise they wouldn’t take his words seriously.
He started by explaining that his methods of implementing change were spiritual, not physical. Paul knew that genuine transformation must take place from the inside out. It can’t be accomplished by beating people into submission with coercive, intimidating, or manipulative tactics. It is the free embrace of God’s Word that changes hearts and minds, and subsequently behaviors. This is the essence of spiritual warfare.
To that end, Paul stood courageously and confidently in the truth, certain of his own right standing before God. He served the LORD tirelessly on behalf of others. Even in this assurance, Paul wasn’t pretentious, arrogant, aggressive, or overbearing. Nor did he seek men’s applause, approval, or personal acclaim. He was an honorable, righteous man whose chief concern was pleasing the LORD and advancing the kingdom of God.
Even now, there are people who criticize Paul and depict him as egotistical, chauvinistic, and self-righteous. They argue that we should disregard everything he wrote, which would mean throwing out roughly half of the New Testament. But like his accusers in Corinth, his modern day adversaries are wrong also. I suspect that their true motivations for slandering him have less to do with his character and more to do with not liking what he - under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, mind you - said.
It has been suggested by some Bible scholars that the contents of chapters 10-13 of 2 Corinthians come from a different letter than those of chapters 1-9. Those who support this theory suppose that chapters 10-13 are the main body of Paul’s “tearful letter”, which he likely wrote from Ephesus after returning from his brief, heartbreaking visit to Corinth during its season of rebellion. If this is true, chapters 10-13 were written prior to chapters 1-9 and under very different circumstances. Following this hypothesis, chapters 10-13 were written to a wayward Corinthian church while chapters 1-9 were written to a recently repentant Corinthian church.
As we study chapter 10 this morning, notice how the tone shifts. In chapters 8-9 Paul had been speaking to the Corinthians about his confident expectation that they’d participate generously in “the collection for the saints”. Rather abruptly, he now erupts into a fierce defense of himself and his own personal integrity. He courageously calls out the false prophets who were (or recently had been, depending on which theory you follow) prevalent in the Corinthian church. I have titled today’s message, “Paul Describes Himself”.
I. SPIRITUAL, NOT PHYSICAL (2 Cor. 10:1-6)
By the meekness and gentleness of Christ, Paul urged the Corinthians to change their ways. He knew that if their resistance to the gospel continued, when he came again he’d have no other choice but to approach them with extreme boldness and confidence. He’d have to courageously combat certain people who were promoting lies and leading the church astray.
These false prophets claimed that Paul was bold in his letters, but meek in his presence. In other words, they accused him of being “all bark when absent, but no bite when present”. They also regarded Paul and his team as men who walked according to the flesh. In other words, they slandered Paul as being a worldly person who was controlled by sinful, carnal desires.
Paul explained that, although he and his peers walked in the flesh - that is, they were human beings, they did not war in the flesh - that is, they didn’t deal with conflict in conventional ways. His weapons of warfare were not earthly, but divine. Paul understood that the battles he fought and fortresses he encountered were spiritual, not physical (Ephesians 6:12). He sought to destroy and captivate thoughts, speculations, and everything that was raised up against the knowledge of God.
Paul knew that the battlefield of the human soul is in the heart and mind. Our thoughts and feelings control our decisions and behaviors. Knowing this, he called the Corinthians to obedience - to a proper understanding of and faithful allegiance to the truth of God. He also declared his readiness to discipline, if necessary, those who stubbornly remained in disobedience. When the time was right, he would return to Corinth to confront his adversaries.
II. MEEK, NOT WEAK (2 Cor. 10:7-11)
Paul faulted the Corinthians for focusing on outward appearances while not considering the inner condition of their hearts. He challenged them to evaluate the authenticity of their own faith. As for himself and his peers, Paul was confident that they were firmly rooted in Christ. Whatsmore, he was certain of his calling as an apostle and the authority that came with that office. This authority was not for tearing the Corinthians down, but rather for building them up. Paul stated that he would not misuse or abuse his apostolic authority, otherwise he’d be put to shame.
Yes, Paul’s letters directly and unapologetically exposed the Corinthians’ sinful practices and beliefs. Yes, they boldly and uncompromisingly declared the truth of God and called for appropriate corrections to be made. Still, they were not intended to terrify the Corinthians as having been written without any love or affection for the church. They were not meant to be perceived as mean-spirited, hateful, brow-beating, or oppressive.
Among other things, the false teachers who had risen up in the Corinthian church described Paul’s letters as weighty and strong, but alleged that his personal presence was unimpressive and his speech contemptible. Ironically, Paul wasn’t overly concerned with being an eloquent, dynamic orator (1 Corinthians 2:1). Though his critics implied that he was weak and even cowardly, Paul forewarned that he and his friends intended to take bold action as necessary when they arrived in order to restore order, just as he’d written in his letters.
III. MINE, NOT YOURS (2 Cor. 10:12-18)
Somewhat sarcastically, Paul concluded that he didn’t really care how he was being compared to others. Who cares what they think? Besides, they were using foolish, worldly standards to commend themselves anyway. He simply wasn’t going to play this game. Ministry isn’t some sort of popularity contest to see who is the most charismatic, skilled, or likable person.
Nor would Paul take credit for things he and his colleagues hadn’t done. He wasn’t trying to gain followers or fans. He wasn’t aiming to get more clicks. He was simply focused on the work Christ had given to him and would boast only in that. Paul had carried the gospel as far as Corinth and his hope was that, through their faith, his influence for Christ might reach to even farther regions. That said, he did not infringe upon or claim recognition for the work of other missionaries.
To finalize his point, Paul cited Jeremiah 9:24. He made this same Scripture reference in an earlier letter to Corinth also (1 Corinthians 1:31). Paul wrote that he who boasts should boast in the LORD, not in his own merits, skills, or accomplishments. Men are not approved by their own commendations, but rather by the commendation of the LORD. God’s opinion is the only one that really counts.
CONCLUSION
Untrue things were being said about Paul to damage his reputation, undermine his credibility, and erode his trustworthiness. By slandering Paul and causing many of the Corinthians to doubt him, false prophets gained power and implemented their own erroneous agendas in the church. Paul knew that he must defend himself and reestablish his character before calling them to repentance, otherwise they wouldn’t take his words seriously.
He started by explaining that his methods of implementing change were spiritual, not physical. Paul knew that genuine transformation must take place from the inside out. It can’t be accomplished by beating people into submission with coercive, intimidating, or manipulative tactics. It is the free embrace of God’s Word that changes hearts and minds, and subsequently behaviors. This is the essence of spiritual warfare.
To that end, Paul stood courageously and confidently in the truth, certain of his own right standing before God. He served the LORD tirelessly on behalf of others. Even in this assurance, Paul wasn’t pretentious, arrogant, aggressive, or overbearing. Nor did he seek men’s applause, approval, or personal acclaim. He was an honorable, righteous man whose chief concern was pleasing the LORD and advancing the kingdom of God.
Even now, there are people who criticize Paul and depict him as egotistical, chauvinistic, and self-righteous. They argue that we should disregard everything he wrote, which would mean throwing out roughly half of the New Testament. But like his accusers in Corinth, his modern day adversaries are wrong also. I suspect that their true motivations for slandering him have less to do with his character and more to do with not liking what he - under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, mind you - said.