Bible Studies

STUDIES IN SECOND CORINTHIANS Chapter 10

by Henry Jaegers
09/18/26
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STUDIES IN SECOND CORINTHIANS

Chapter 10

By Henry Jaegers

Paul’s Defense of His Ministry

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As we approach chapter ten, Paul's address to them is taking on a different tone.

So far, he has expressed great confidence in their spiritual development. But it seems Paul is a little apprehensive about treating them as fully mature. And the reason for this apprehension lies in an area that he sees as a vulnerability to Satan's attacks. Some areas have not been tested, and he fears something might happen while he is away from them.

And as we come to chapter ten, we discover the reason for Paul's fear for them.

While Paul is away, something has happened. Some have taken advantage of Paul's absence, and another group of men has assumed leadership. They have exalted their own ministry and downplayed Paul's.

Very often this happens after new ministries replace the former. They fail to recognize what good the former pastor has done, and seek to replace it with what they think is something better.

But Paul, although he is absent from them, has not abrogated his leadership toward them. He has been forced to leave against his will, and now some others are seeking to replace them. We will address them as "Pretenders," for that is what they are.

With that explanation, we are now ready to examine more carefully what this chapter is saying.

 The Problem Addressed. (Verses 1 through 6)

 Now I, Paul, beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:  

 Here is the problem. For some reason, Paul has been treated as weak in appearance but bold in his letters from afar. This is the idea that they have been led to think about Paul. But Paul declares to them that he has not changed in the matter of who he is. Because he is away from them, he has not changed, but being away from them, he must now address them differently.

So in these words, Paul assures them that, though he has departed from them, he approaches them differently. In essence, these assumed leaders have charged Paul with lacking true leadership qualities. They base these charges on their high opinion of themselves and assume that is what Paul is doing.

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.

Paul is assuring them, that whem he comes back they will be able to understand that he is not acting outside of the ministry of theHoly Spirit. His ministry is different in that he has the power and authority to deal with "Spiritual wickedness." And how does he do this? Consider:

 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 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; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

Here is what this ministry is intended to do. It deals with imaginations and high opinions prompted by the activities of wicked spiritual sources against Christ. Imaginations and high thougfhts are conquered throuh the presentation of truth carefully explained and wisely displayed. All Satanic forces are based upon lies. Paul states that he will continue to battle this disobedience until they reach a fuller maturity, where they are no longer influenced by these lying influences.

 The Problem of Judging by Outward Appearance. (Verses 7 through 10)

 Do ye look on things after the outward appearance?

This seems to be part of the problem. It is human to do so, as it is the tendency of all of us. Especially if the mind of the Spirit is missing or lacking. We judge by what is evident to us. But Satan does not always operate on the natural level. We can become intellectual and gain a lot of knowledge, but we may lack understanding, especially spiritual understanding. By doing this, we can only understand on a human level.

What these false teachers are doing is causing men to see only on their own level of understanding.

 If any man trust in himself that he is Christ's, let him think again of himself, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.

Paul claims from the false teachers, who claim themselves to be true men of God, that he is equally so, but by a different standard than they have.

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:

Because Paul's ministry is not to be concerning himself, because he is ministering for the benefit of others, he has nothing on which to be ashamed. His motives are pure when they are not selfishly inclined.

 That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.  For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.

Once again, these false teachers are downgrading Paul by his physical weakness and his inability to speak eloquently. Those with flowery speech always get the most attention, and they think themselves worthy to judge Paul. Often, those who are intellectually astute lack spiritual understanding because pride gets in the way. They lack spiritual discernment and can only judge by what they see outwardly.

TheTrue Standard for Ministry(Verses 11 through 18)

 Let such a one think this: that, as we are in word by letters when we are absent, so will we be also in deed when we are present.

Paul reassures them that if and when such a time comes, He will be able to present himself in such a manner that they will no more lose confidence in him.

 For 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.

 These may have highly intellectual opinions of what is truth. But their measure is faulty and can only be administered by Human standards. When Paul says they are not wise, he is correct, because true wisdom has the ability to see life from God's standard, and they lack that ability. They can only make judgments based on human understanding.

 But 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.  For 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:

Paul proclaims that he operates by the standard God has given. Through this rule, he was able to come to them even from a long distance that they might receive the Gospel according to the measure of Christ's.

 Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men's labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that you shall enlarge us according to our rule abundantly. Paul states that if he has anything to boast about, it is not due to things effected by human labor, but he truly has much to boast about when he considers how well they have progressed according to God's standard. To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand.  But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.  For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.

In closing, Paul declares that beyond them are other regions where his labors are needed. He also recognizes that in building these churches, he must not forget that others have contributed as well by laying the foundation for him to build upon. And with this, he closes the chapter appropriately with these words. "But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."