May 29, 2010 Lesson 10 of 2 Corinthians 10

In his third section of the letter (see introduction), Paul has specially in view the disaffected minority, who were being led astray by visiting preachers, who were enemies of Paul and of the gospel. His desire is to destroy the influence of these men, so that his visit, when it comes, may not be one of strife and conflict. In this chapter he twice refers to a charge, which his enemies made against him (10:1b, 10), that while he might be able to write vigorous letters from a distance, he was weak and ineffective when present in person. Paul answers that he has powerful weapons at his command, and that the church in Corinth falls within the sphere of his God-given authority.


Consider Paul’s description of his ministry as a warfare (v3-6). What is the aim he has in view? What fortresses have to be captured, and how is victory achieved? Have you known in your own experience: (a) of lawless elements in your own thought-life brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and (b) of winning such victories for Christ in the thought-life of others? Answer: Paul’s aim, I think even though not specifically stated here, is to obey and become more like Christ. Well Ok the obey part is specifically stated. Yes I have seen thought elements brought under control in my own life. One of the most basic is when I was saved as a teen I quit swearing. I did pull back from the Lord a bit during my young adult years and some of those bad habits and thoughts returned. When I started getting back into the Word several years ago I once again dropped that habit. It is not something of my own, rather it is God controlling my tongue. This is just one way that others may see in me, but privately there are others. I hope that my thoughts are always on Him so that I may be a witness indirectly at first, and then directly.


What does Paul claim for himself in verse 7-16, and what hope for future service does he express? Cf. Rom 12:3; 15:18-24. What is the only form of commendation in which he is interested? Answer: I am not sure of what Paul is trying to claim here. I would say that the only commendation he seeks is the commendation that he boasts in the Lord not himself or the world.


Note: V16. ‘Done in another man’s territory’: an allusion to those who came to a church already founded by someone else, to make mischief there.