PARAGRAPH DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS
| UBS4 | NKJV | NRSV | TEV | NJB |
| Paul Defends His Ministry | The Spiritual War | An Appeal for True Apostleship | Paul Defends His Ministry | Paul’s Reply to Accusations of Weakness |
| 10:1-6 | 10:1-6 | 10:1-6 | 10:1-6 | 10:1-11 |
| Reality of Paul’s Authority | ||||
| 10:7-11 | 10:7-11 | 10:7-11 | 10:7-11 | |
| Limits of Paul’s Authority | His Reply to the Accusation of Ambition | |||
| 10:12-18 | 10:12-18 | 10:12-18 | 10:12-16 | 10:12-18 |
| 10:17-18 |
READING CYCLE THREE (see
“Bible
Interpretation Seminar”)
FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR’S INTENT AT PARAGRAPH LEVEL
This is a study guide commentary, which
means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the
light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not
relinquish this to a commentator.
Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects (reading cycle #3). Compare
your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is
the key to following the original author’s intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every
paragraph has one and only one subject.
- First paragraph
- Second paragraph
- Third paragraph, etc.
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS
- Chapters 10 through 13 form a literary unit where Paul defends himself against the
accusations of the false teachers. The false teachers had made Paul himself the crux
of the argument. Therefore, reluctantly, he defends himself on human grounds, using
their catch words and rhetorical style. His purpose ultimately was to defend the gospel. - Some examples of the charges levied against Paul.
- He was condescending when face to face, but courageous in his letters, 2 Cor. 10:1,9,11.
- He was acting from the lowest human motives, 2 Cor. 10:2.
- His personal appearance was not pleasant and his rhetorical delivery was poor;
2 Cor. 10:2,10 - He preached simply for money, 2 Cor. 11:8,12; 12:16.
- Paul’s enemies
- There seem to be three groups involved.
- a native Corinthian contingent (the factions of 1 Corinthians 1-4)
- a Jewish contingent from Palestine (similar to Judaizers, 2 Cor. 10-13).
- possibly a hybrid of both
- From 1 Corinthians there seem to be groups attacking him for and from opposition positions
- a legalistic group (asceticism)
- an antinomian group (libertines)
- There seem to be three groups involved.
- Because Paul mentions several letters that he had written to the church at Corinth,
which apparently have not been preserved, there has been scholarly speculation
about 2 Corinthians being a composite of these lost letters. It is certainly true
that Paul’s use of the EPISTOLARY AORIST in referring to his
different letters has caused confusion as well as the obvious different literary
units which make up 2 Corinthians, which often seem to be out of chronological
and rational arrangement.
It is surely possible that the disjunctions were caused by Paul writing
this letter over a period of time and that new information continued to arrive
after he had written a literary unit. The letter begins in a positive affirmation,
but then turns negative.
Personally, the possibility that some of Paul’s letters were lost does not
bother me (possibly they contained information that the Spirit did not want to
become Scripture), but the proposed composite nature of 2 Corinthians, which has
no evidence in the Greek manuscript tradition nor church tradition, but is simply
the speculation of modern western scholars does bother me! We must not force ancient
eastern thinkers and writers into modern western literary categories.
WORD AND PHRASE STUDY
÷2 CORINTHIANS 10:1-6
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 2 CORINTHIANS 10:1-6
1Now I, Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ-I who am meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent! 2I ask that when I am present I need not be bold with the confidence with which I propose to be courageous against some, who regard us as if we walked according to the flesh. 3For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5We 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, 6and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.
10:1 “Now I, Paul, myself urge you” Paul does not use the “we” of previous chapters
because he is defending himself personally before the accusations of the false teachers. Paul
used autos and ego (cf. 2 Cor. 12:13; Rom. 7:25; 9:3; 15:24; and in Gal. 5:2
egō and Paulos) to emphasize that this was his personal plea.
For “urge” see full note at 2 Cor. 1:4-11.
▣ “by the meekness and gentleness of Christ” Paul used the appropriate attitude
and methodologies even with these false teachers (cf. Matt. 11:29). Meekness was not seen as
a virtue by Greek thinkers (i.e., Socrates, Aristotle, Stoics). This reflects one of their
criticisms of Paul. M. R. Vincent’s Word Studies, vol. 2, asserts that in the Septuagint
that “meekness” (praus, 2 Cor. 10:1), “meek” (tapeinos, 2 Cor. 10:1), and
“poor” (penēs, v 9:9) are used to translate the same Hebrew words. They contrast
the rich and powerful vs. the lowly and down-trodden (p. 832).
▣ “who am meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent” This
evaluation may refer to Paul’s severe letter that was lost (cf. 2 Cor. 1:9-11). Notice his play
on the concept of “meekness.” He calls Christ meek (i.e., praus used of the Messiah in
Matt. 21:5 and of believers in Matt. 5:5; 1 Pet. 3:4,15). In this phrase he uses the synonym
tapeinos (cf. Louw and Nida, Greek-English Lexicon, vol. 1, p. 748), which is
also used of Jesus (cf. Matt. 11:29) and of Paul (cf. 2 Cor. 11:7; 12:21).
▣ “bold” See note at 2 Cor. 5:6.
10:2 “I ask” This is the Greek term deomai, which means to ask with urgency or to
plead. It is synonymous to the term (i.e., parakaleō, cf. Louw and Nida, Greek-English
Lexicon, vol. 1, p. 408) Paul used it in 2 Cor. 10:1 (cf. 2 Cor. 2:8; 5:20; 6:1; 8:6; 9:5;
12:8,18; 13:11). He is urgently pleading with these believers to reevaluate what they have heard
from the false teachers.
▣ “that when I am present” Paul did not want to return to Corinth until things had
changed. He did not want to be bold, but gentle.
▣ “I need not be bold with the confidence with which I propose to be courageous
against some” There is a play on the Greek word for “flesh.” The false teachers were accusing
Paul of acting from the lowest, base human motives (i.e., in the flesh). While Paul admits that
he is in the flesh (i.e., physical body, cf. 2 Cor. 10:3), he strongly asserts that he is not
acting from fleshly motives (cf. 2 Cor. 1:17; 2:17; 4:3; 7:2; 10:3-4).
For “confidence” see note at 2 Cor. 3:4.
▣ “propose. . .regard” This is a play on the Greek word logizomai. Paul uses
the VERB (PRESENT MIDDLE [deponent] INDICATIVE) to describe his
thoughts and the PARTICIPLE (PRESENT MIDDLE [deponent]) to describe the false
teachers’ false accusations. This may even have been a technical term from the Sophists
(see Bruce W. Winter, Philo and Paul Among the Sophists). See fuller note of the term
at 2 Cor. 3:5.
▣ “walked” This is a Hebrew idiom for lifestyle behavior (e.g., Eph. 4:1,17; 5:2,1).
▣ “according to the flesh” They were judging Paul in light of their society’s norms
(cf. 1 Cor. 9:8; 15:32; Rom. 3:5; Gal. 1:11; 3:15). Believers have a different standard—the
revealed word of God:
- Old Testament
- Christ
- New Testament
10:3-6 Paul uses a series of military imageries to describe the daily struggle between
the Christian and spiritual wickedness (cf. Rom. 7; 8:3-11). This spiritual wickedness is
defined in 2 Cor. 10:5 as human logic, wisdom, and argumentation against the gospel (cf. Eph. 6:10-18).
10:3 “in the flesh” See
Special Topic: Flesh (sarx)
▣ “war” This is the term strateuō, from which we get the English term
strategy. It was used of a soldier (cf. 1 Cor. 9:7; 2 Tim. 2:4) or metaphorically of a spiritual
battle (cf. here and 1 Tim. 1:18). There is an ongoing conflict in the spiritual realm.
10:4-5 There is a series of things mentioned in 2 Cor. 10:4-5 which Paul attacks.
- destruction of fortresses (ochurōma)
- destruction of speculation (logizomai)
- destruction of every lofty thing (huphōma)
- taking captive every thought (noēma)
These things possibly refer to the Sophists’ rhetoric, which Paul had
depreciated in 1 Corinthians 1-4 (cf. Bruce W. Winter, Philo and Paul Among the Sophists,
pp. 180-202).
10:4 “the weapons of our warfare” Paul has alluded to this spiritual warfare earlier in
2 Cor. 6:7. The book of Romans was written from Corinth about this same time. He also mentions
this warfare in Rom. 6:13 and 13:12. Peter uses the verb form in 1 Pet. 4:1, where he encourages
believers to arm themselves in their fleshly struggles.
A good resource book in this area is Three Crucial Questions About Spiritual
Warfare by Clinton E. Arnold, published by Baker.
Special Topic: Spiritual
Warfare
▣ “for the destruction of fortresses” This may be an allusion to Pro. 21:22
(larger context 2 Cor. 10:13-31). There has been much discussion about the meaning of this
phrase among commentators, but it is obvious that 2 Cor. 10:5 is a description of what
spiritual fortresses Paul is referring to. It appears he is addressing the false theology
of the false teachers.
| 10:5 | |
| NASB | ”destroying speculations” |
| NKJV | ”casting down arguments” |
| NRSV | ”destroy arguments” |
| TEV | ”pull down” |
| NJB | ”It is ideas that we demolish” |
| REB | ”demolish sophistries” |
| Peshitta | ”casting down imaginations” |
See note at 2 Cor. 3:5.
| NASB | ”and every lofty thing” |
| NKJV | ”and every high thing” |
| NRSV | ”and every proud obstacle” |
| TEV | ”every proud obstacle” |
| NJB | ”every presumptuous notion |
This is the word for “height” used in the sense of lofty, human thinking. This
reflects the false teachers’ over-emphasis on
- knowledge and human reasoning (cf. 1 Cor. 1:18-25; Col. 2:8)
- legalism (cf. Col. 2:16-23)
▣ “taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” The VERB
is a compound of “spear” and “to capture in battle.” These false teachers were capturing the
thought and minds of the Corinthian believers. Paul would have us “renew our minds”
(cf. Rom. 12:2; Eph. 4:23); protect our minds (cf. Phil. 4:7). Salvation is free, but the
Christian life is characterized by obedience, service, worship, and perseverance. These are
covenant responsibilities. There is an ongoing spiritual conflict!
Paul uses the word “thought” (noēma) often in 2 Corinthians
(cf. 2 Cor. 2:11; 3:14; 4:4; 11:3), but only one other time, in Phil. 4:7. The Corinthian
over-emphasis on knowledge may have been the reason for his recurrent use of the term.
The Analytical Greek Lexicon Revised, Harold K. Moulton, ed., lists several
connotations (p. 280).
- the mind, the understanding, intellect ‒ 2 Cor. 3:14; 4:4
- the heart, soul, affections, feelings, disposition ‒ 2 Cor. 11:3
- a conception of the mind, thought, purpose, device ‒ 2 Cor. 2:11; 10:5
10:6 Paul warns the false teachers and their followers that their day of reckoning
is coming. They accused him of being weak, but they simply misunderstood his patience with them
- for Christ’s sake
- for the corporate health of this church
Paul is warning this church to deal with its problems before he arrives or else he
will deal with them (cf. 1 Cor. 5:3-5).
÷2 CORINTHIANS 10:7-11
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 2 CORINTHIANS 10:7-11
7You are looking at things as they are outwardly. If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we. 8For even if I boast somewhat further about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be put to shame, 9for I do not wish to seem as if I would terrify you by my letters. 10For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his personal presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible.” 11Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when absent, such persons we are also in deed when present.
10:7 “You are looking” In Greek the inflected form could be an IMPERATIVE
(cf. NRSV, NJB) or an INDICATIVE (cf. NASB, TEV, NIV). The NKJV and ASV translate
it as a question.
The church at Corinth was analyzing and criticizing on a fleshly/worldly/physical
level instead of a gospel focus.
▣ “If” This is a FIRST CLASS CONDITIONAL SENTENCE. There were some
in the church at Corinth who had deceived themselves (cf. 1 Cor. 14:37) as to their spiritual
condition and standing (i.e., “is confident,” PERFECT ACTIVE INDICATIVE).
▣ “himself” Paul uses this term, eautou, twice in this verse. These false
teachers had deceived themselves. This is the hardest spiritual condition to reason with or to affect.
▣ “that just as he is Christ’s so also are we” The false teachers were claiming their
own spiritual authority and standing, but were denying Paul’s.
10:8 “if” This is a THIRD CLASS CONDITIONAL SENTENCE, which implies potential
action (cf. 2 Cor. 11:1-12:13).
▣ “boast” This term (i.e., kauchaomai and its other forms) is used so often
in Paul’s Corinthian letters.
- kauchaomai (glory, boast, cf. 1 Cor. 1:29,31; 3:21; 4:7; 13:3; 2 Cor. 5:12;
7:14; 9:2; 10:8,13,15,16,17; 11:12,16,18,30; 12:1,5,6,9) - kauchēma (cf. 1 Cor. 5:6; 9:15,16; 2 Cor. 1:14; 5:12; 9:3)
- kauchēsis (cf. 1 Cor. 15:31; 2 Cor. 1:12; 7:4,14; 8:24; 11:10,17)
See fuller note on use of the word at 2 Cor. 1:12.
▣ “about our authority, which the Lord gave” This refers to Paul’s Damascus Road
experience (cf. Acts 9:15,16; Rom. 1:5; Gal. 2:9).
Special Topic: Authority
(exousia)
▣ “for building you up and not for destroying you” Paul repeats this phrase in
2 Cor. 13:10. This is similar to the call of Isaiah (cf. Isaiah 6) and Jeremiah
(cf. Jeremiah 1), except they were called to do both! Paul uses the same VERB
(i.e., kathairesis), which he used in 2 Cor. 10:4 (twice) for destroying strongholds
of human reasoning. Paul is called to destroy some things and ideas, but not the church
itself. He is called to defend and protect the church (cf. 2 Cor. 10:9).
▣ “I will not be put to shame” Paul is going to defend himself because the false
teachers had made him the issue. He defends himself to defend
- the authority he had been given
- the gospel he preached
This may reflect the OT promises of God (cf. Rom. 9:33 and 10:11, quoting Isa. 28:16),
where those who trust in God will not be ashamed or disappointed. Paul knew in Whom he trusted!
Even if Paul had boasted too much (cf. NRSV, TEV) in his call and appointment, it
was still true and God would defend him! Those who reject Paul’s authority are condemned
(cf. 1 Cor. 14:37-38).
10:9 Paul’s letters were to promote their repentance, not to bring condemnation
(cf. 2 Cor. 7:5-13a). But for the false teachers it was a different story (cf. 2 Cor. 10:8,11; 13:10).
10:10 “For they say” “They say” follows MSS B, the Latin Vulgate, and the Peshitta
(Syriac translation of the fifth century). Most other Greek manuscripts have “he,” which may refer
to a ring leader of the false teachers (cf. 2 Cor. 10:7,11; 11:4).
▣ “his personal presence is unimpressive” A second century tradition of Paul’s
physical description comes from Thessalonica in part of a book entitled Paul and Thecla. It
says that he was short, bald, bow-legged, had bushy eyebrows and protruding eyes. Paul was not
a physically attractive man (cf. Gal. 4:14). Some of these physical characteristics may be related
to his thorn in the flesh (cf. 2 Cor. 12:7), which I think was eye problems, probably related to
his “road to Damascus” blinding.
It is possible that this phrase, like the next one, refers to Paul’s public speaking
skills, which were a major item of contention (cf. 1 Cor. 1:17). This phrase often was used of a
“stage presence” (cf. Bruce W. Winter, After Paul Left Corinth, p. 35).
▣ “and his speech contemptible” This is a PERFECT PASSIVE PARTICIPLE. This
is a strong Greek term (cf. 1 Cor. 1:28; 6:4; 16:11; Rom. 14:3,10). Paul was not
a polished public speaker (i.e., Greek rhetorical style, cf. 1 Cor. 1:17; 2 Cor. 11:6). Apollos
was the eloquent, rhetorically trained preacher from Alexandria. However, Paul claims that though
unskilled in rhetorical style (cf. 2 Cor. 11:6), his message and authority were from Christ.
10:11 The false teacher(s) have accused Paul of having strong letters, but a weak personal
presentation. Paul affirms that the strength which they affirmed in his letters would be equaled
by the strength of his personal presence if he had to come personally and set things straight himself!
÷2 CORINTHIANS 10:12-18
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 2 CORINTHIANS 10:12-18
12For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding. 13But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you. 14For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we did not reach to you, for we were the first to come even as far as you in the gospel of Christ; 15not boasting beyond our measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but with the hope that as your faith grows, we will be, within our sphere, enlarged even more by you, 16so as to preach the gospel even to the regions beyond you, and not to boast in what has been accomplished in the sphere of another. 17But he who boasts is to boast in the Lord. 18For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends.
10:12 “but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves” Paul
has alluded to human commendations in 2 Cor. 3:1 (cf. 2 Cor. 10:18); now he expands this to human
comparisons. Obviously these false teachers were comparing themselves to Paul in such a way as to
accentuate their position and depreciate his.
Paul knew from his study of the OT (cf. 1 Sam. 16:7; Pro. 21:2) how fruitless this
was. He was probably also familiar with Jesus’ teaching about people who justify themselves
(cf. Luke 10:29; 16:15; 18:9,14).
There is a note of sarcasm in this verse as there is in 2 Cor. 10:1. Paul used
this literary form often in 1 Corinthians.
There is an obvious word play between the two AORIST ACTIVE INFINITIVES.
- egkrinai (en and krinō), judge as belonging to the same category
- sugkrinai (sun and krinō), judge by comparing
In codex Bezae (fifth century uncial MS) there is a phrase left out at the end of
2 Cor. 10:12 and the beginning of 2 Cor. 10:13. It seems that a scribe’s eye moved from
“ou” of 2 Cor. 10:12 to “ouk” of 2 Cor. 10:13 and left out the intervening words
(“do not understand. But we will not”). See the second appendix on Textual Criticism. The
UBS4 gives the phrase’s inclusion a “B” rating (almost certain).
▣ “they are without understanding This was quite a shocking statement.
- to Greek philosophers it would depreciate their claim to superior spiritual knowledge
- to Hebrew thinkers it would be an allusion to the animals
10:13 Paul is alluding to his divine call and mandate (i.e., his “road to Damascus” experience,
cf. Acts 9; 22:3-16; 26:9-18) to be an Apostle to the Gentiles. He was not comparing or commending,
but stating God’s call.
God’s call on him as special representative to the Gentiles even included the church
at Corinth (cf. 2 Cor. 10:14-15).
▣ “the sphere which God apportioned to us” The NASB Study Bible (p. 1701) has a good
comment on this phrase:
“10:13 the sphere which God apportioned to us. The picture
Paul has in mind may be that of an athletic contest in which lanes are
marked out for the different runners. In that case ‘sphere’ should be
rendered ‘lane’ (also in 2 Cor. 10:15-16). In intruding themselves into
Corinth, the false apostles had crossed into Paul’s lane, which was the
lane that God had marked out and that had brought him to the Corinthians
as their genuine apostle. He has no intention of invading the territory
marked out for others and claiming their work as his own, as these false
teachers were doing. Others understand the Greek word in question to refer
to an assigned sphere of authority.”
10:14 “For we are not overextending” This is another “huper” compound,
huperekteinō.
Special Topic: Paul’s Use
of Huper Compounds
▣ “we were the first to come even as far as you in the gospel of Christ” Paul was the
founder of the Corinthian church, yet the false teachers were trying to take credit (cf. 2 Cor. 10:18b).
Special Topic: The Kerygma
of the Early Church
10:15 “not boasting beyond our measure. . .in other men’s labors” The false teachers
were taking credit for the Corinthian church, which Paul established.
10:16 “so as to preach the gospel even to the regions beyond you” This seems to refer to Paul’s
desire to go to Rome and/or Spain (cf. Acts 19:21; Rom. 15:22ff). He wanted established churches to
help him both with a contribution for Jerusalem and to enable him to travel to the western
Mediterranean and establish more churches.
For “beyond,” this is another “huper” compound, (huperekeinē).
10:17 “he who boasts is to boast in the lord“ This is a quote
from the Septuagint of Jer. 9:23-24. It is also quoted in 1 Cor. 1:31. All human boasting is folly.
10:18 The real question is which faction, teacher, or theology does Jesus approve
(cf. 1 Cor. 4:1-5).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are
responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You,
the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this
section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.
- Explain the obvious break between chapters 9 and 10.
- What were some of the charges of the false teachers against Paul?
- Why does Paul use military terms to describe his struggle against the false teachers?
- Were these false teachers sincere Christians who were just wrong on minor points of
theology or were they cult leaders who were trying to pervert men from the truth of
the Gospel?
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