2 Corinthians 10:1-11
Q.1. Why did some dismiss Paul when he was not present? How did he intend to tackle his opponents? What makes the weapons of spiritual warfare powerful? – (2 Cor.10:1-6)
Paul described himself as – meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent (2 Cor.10:1). His critics took advantage of his absence and painted him as a weak man. Paul on his part, revealed that he waged war by the Spirit. He pointed out that – 4 the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We 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, 6 and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete (2 Cor.10:3-6). These spiritual weapons have the power to pull down spiritual strongholds that undermine the true knowledge of God. He would achieve this by lining up all thinking and comparing it with obedience to Christ’s teaching. The goal of ministry is to bring all thinking into line with the example and teaching of our Lord and His Word.
Q.2. From where should a believer’s confidence come? Did Paul’s opponents criticize his writings? How did they belittle him? How did he counter these criticisms? – (2 Cor.10:7-11)
All believers share the same standing in Christ, regardless of their outward impressions (2 Cor.10:7). Paul would not be shamed or dismissed, because he had authority from the Lord to build up the saints. Nor did he want to distress them with his weighty writings (2 Cor.10:8-9). Paul quoted from their personal attacks on him – his letters are weighty and strong, but his personal presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible (2 Cor.10:10). He reminded them that he was the same person as the one writing (2 Cor.10:11). It is important to strive to line up our actions with our words.