2 Coríntios 10
David Guzik · Citado em PreceptAustin
2 Coríntios 10
Guzik writes on fortresses (strongholds) explaining that "Strongholds (fortresses) in this context are wrong thoughts and perceptions, contradicting the true knowledge of God and the nature of God. These strongholds are expressed in arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. This reliance on carnal methods, and the habit of carnal thinking, is a true stronghold. It stubbornly sets down deep roots in the heart and mind, and colors all of our actions and thinking. It is hard to let go of the thinking that values the things and ways of this world, but God's power really can break down these strongholds...Praise God, strongholds can be pulled down! Clarke recounts with wonder one stronghold pulled down in history: In like manner the doctrines of the reformation, mighty through God, pulled down or demolished and brought into captivity, the whole papal system; and instead of obedience to the pope, the pretended vicar of God upon the earth, obedience to Christ, as the sole almighty Head of the Church, was established, particularly in Great Britain, where it continues to prevail. Hallelujah! The Lord God Omnipotent reigneth! Arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God: Carnal, worldly ways of thinking and doing are arguments against the mind and methods of God. They want to debate God, saying they have a better way. They exalt themselves against the knowledge of God. They think of themselves as smarter, more sophisticated, more effective, more powerful than God's ways. Carnal, worldly minds think they know more than God does! We must remind ourselves that Paul is speaking to carnal, worldly thinking among Christians. He isn't talking about the world here, but the Corinthian Christians. They were the ones with the strongholds in their minds and hearts. They made the arguments against God's mind and methods. They held on to every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. We miss it entirely if we think the love of manipulation, the image of success, smooth words, the perception of power, lording over authority, and human schemes and programs are just problems with the world. Paul was dealing with this heart and mind in the church. For nothing is more opposed to the spiritual wisdom of God than the wisdom of the flesh, and nothing more opposed to His grace than man's natural ability. (John Calvin)(Commentary Notes)
2 Coríntios 10
Guzik comments -- "A wonderful observation by John Trapp; if I only knew what he meant!"). (Reference) Ed comment: In an attempt to explain Trapp's remark I searched the web and here is a related entry - "I certify that I have many times killed serpents by moistening in a slight degree, with my spittle, a stick or a stone, and giving them a slight blow on the middle of the body, scarcely sufficient to produce a small contusion. January 19, 1757. Figuier, Surgeon.” The above surgeon having given me this certificate, two witnesses, who had seen him kill serpents in this manner, attested what they had beheld. Notwithstanding, I wished to behold the thing myself; for I confess that, in various parts of these queries, I have taken St. Thomas of Didymus for my patron saint, who always insisted on an examination with his own hands. For eighteen hundred years this opinion has been perpetuated among the people, and it might possibly be even eighteen thousand years old, if Genesis had not supplied us with the precise date of our enmity to this reptile. It may be asserted that if Eve had spit on the serpent when he took his place at her ear, a world of evil would have been spared human nature. Lucretius, in his fourth book, alludes to this manner of killing serpents as very well known: Spit on a serpent, and his vigor flies, He straight devours himself, and quickly dies. (Further comment: I would not recommend this method if confronted by a venomous reptile, spiritually speaking or real. In the former I would suggest James 4:7-note, 1Pe 5:9-note. In the latter I would suggest your legs and feet be quickly mobilized) (Reference) Illustration of divinely powerful weapons - The story of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's conversion to Christ in a Siberian prison camp is a remarkable testimony to the truth of today's text. Solzhenitsyn was being examined one day by a fellow prisoner, a Jewish physician who had been won to Christ by the example of another prisoner. Noticing the misery in Solzhenitsyn's eyes, the doctor told him his story, including his faith in Christ. Solzhenitsyn came to faith through the doctor's testimony and survived to tell the world about the power of the spirit over human evil. What an incredible example of waging war by the weapons of the Holy Spirit! When His people call on Him, no prison or army can lock out the Word and the power of God....Paul is saying that although we live in human bodies, we don't wage war according to human standards. Our weapons are those of the Spirit, so they have His power behind them. These are the only weapons great enough to bring down ""strongholds." What is a stronghold? Moody Press author Jim Logan, in his book Reclaiming Surrendered Ground, explains that strongholds are the fortresses Satan builds in our lives when we give him a foothold, a piece of ground on which to build. How does Satan gain a foothold in our hearts and minds? We give him ground when we sin and refuse to forsake our sin or when we believe his lies. Satan is a master builder. He doesn't need much ground on which to erect his strongholds. And once they are in place, they give the enemy a ""headquarters"" from which to carry on his activities. (Moody Bible Institute's "Today in the Word") James Parker III - One of the first battles of the Civil War happened near Washington, D. C., on a Sunday afternoon. The two armies lined up for battle, and people came out from downtown Washington, D. C., and set up picnic baskets. It was like a Sunday afternoon soccer match, like a baseball game. They came with their picnic baskets to watch this little battle. And very quickly they realized that it wasn’t just a little Sunday afternoon scrimmage, a little skirmish; it was a major war, a battle to the death where thousands, and scores and scores of thousands of people would give their lives. Now we have to understand that’s the nature of the battle we’re involved in; we often think that we’re involved in a little Sunday afternoon scrimmage. We live our lives and act our lives and carry on our lives; we prepare our lives as if that’s what we’re facing. But what we have to realize is, this is a battle to the death, and it’s either us or them in this spiritual warfare. But we don’t carry it on the way the world does...And so we are indeed arrayed against fortresses, Paul is saying. Prov. 21:22 says, “A wise man scales the strong dries and brings down the stronghold in which the ungodly trust.” The ungodly trust in these strongholds, and the godly man, the wise man, scales those cities and brings down those strongholds that the ungodly are trusting in. So we have divine power to demolish strongholds. (Faith and Mission 14:2 Spring 1997) Alan Redpath former pastor at Moody Bible Church, Chicago, writes (ref) that... Paul's concern for the church at Corinth (as it would indeed be for us) is simply that the imagination of the mind, the process of thinking, the way of reasoning, the method of logic, the understanding of things which a man adopted in his unconverted days, become projected into the fellowship of the church, and the church begins to fail in its spiritual battle because it adopts carnal procedures. The process of victory which our Lord taught His disciples was this: that if you cease to resist in the realm of carnality, then you are resisting automatically in the realm that is spiritual, and in this way you overcome the enemy. Resist, counterattack, deal with the situation upon the same level that the world deals with it, and you are defeated. But refuse to follow that principle of life; take up rather the principle of the cross (1Co 1:18) and by non-combat in carnal levels you are combating the enemy in spiritual levels and therefore you will overcome (Jn 16:33, 1Jn 5:4, 5). To illustrate this, turn to Simon Peter and the incident in which the Lord Jesus began to show to him is principle of the Cross (Mt 16:21, 22, 23). Christ spoke to him about the cross, about the blood, about the way of sacrifice and death. He had spoken earlier about the corn of wheat falling into the ground and dying and if it die, it brings forth much fruit, but if it did not die it would abide alone (Jn 12:24); and Peter's answer was, "Not so, Lord, not that way, not the way of the cross and death!" (cp Mt 16:22) Christ's reply was shattering: " Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men." (Mt 16:23, cp Mt 16:24) But Peter did not learn his lesson. In the Garden of Gethsemane up goes his sword, out goes his arm, and off goes the man's ear (Jn 18:10, Mt 26:51, 52, 53, 54, Mark 14:47 cp Lk 22:33, 49, 50, 51!). He is still resisting the principle of the cross, still following the procedure of carnality, and taking the line of resistance instead of the line of meekness and submission (Php 2:3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9). He did not learn his lesson until after Pentecost (and it took him some time then, cp Acts 2:15, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41), but this is the lesson which the Lord Jesus sought to teach him, and the very lesson which Paul is bringing to bear upon the church at Corinth. You find this principle today in the church in terms of the theological outlook upon the Bible, though I have no wish to get involved in a controversial issue. The difference between what we call today the fundamentalist or the conservative evangelical and all others in their approach to the Book is that we as conservative evangelicals submit ourselves to the criticism of the Word of God, whereas all others submit to their own criticism. This is the basic difference of approach to the whole subject of theology, so much so that, in some circles it is said that if you are orthodox you are out-of-date; you are an obscurantist, and it is an impossible position to hold in the light of modern theology and modern science. These are some of the high things that Paul said exalt themselves against the knowledge of God, and because the evangelical conservative holds to a position in which he submits all his criticisms and life to the authority of Scripture, and refuses to move from that position, while he is only too glad to discuss and consider all enlightenment upon the Book, he is therefore called out-of-date. Now this I believe is the form of carnality in the church which stems from corruption of the mind not necessarily moral corruption, but the mind which insists in submitting the Word of God to its own criticism and only accepting that which the human intellect can understand and believe. This corruption of mind leads to carnality in the church and to captivity of spirit, for by that means there is that which exalts itself against the knowledge of God. That, in the theological area, is exactly the modern counterpart of our verse. I wish to come much closer home than that, as I bring this right down to where we live. The Principle of Carnality versus The Principle of Spirituality What is the nature of this conflict? It is the battle which goes on in the personal life of every one of us in ordinary, everyday, down-to-earth, practical living—the battle to forsake the principle of carnality and to accept the principle of spirituality. It is the battle to take the line of refusing to resist along the human level, and by so doing, resisting in terms of spiritual warfare, and therefore overcoming. This is something which works itself out in terms of our relationships with one another, as well as in terms of our relationship with God. If, therefore, it is true that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, if God in calling us to be His followers and to live the Christian life here and now on exactly the same principle as that which was followed by His disciples—in other words, the line of non-resistance, of meekness and crucifixion and death, the line of submission one to another in the fear of God—what then are the weapons a Christian must use, and how does he use them? I remind you of words which Paul wrote in his letter to the church at Ephesus. We must arm ourselves, because in paraphrase he says, the weapons of our warfare, though they are not carnal, are mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. In other words, there is a way of life, there is an armor, there are weapons which the Christian church (and by that I mean any group of Christians) can use today in ordinary everyday life which will be so invincible that, to quote the words of our Lord Jesus, " . . . the gates of hell shall not prevail against them." (Mt 16:18) If this is true, then it behooves us surely to give very prayerful attention to this fact, because the fact of the matter is that apart from a mighty awakening and revival in the church, we are fighting a losing battle because we are resisting on carnal levels. This is not something you settle at denominational headquarters or in the high courts of the ecclesiastical world. It is something you begin to settle here and now that causes the tide of Holy Spirit power and life to flow once again through the church, which has been blocked because we as individual believers have rejected God's principles. What then are the weapons which are mighty through God? take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand...your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;...your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;...taking the shield of faith,...And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, ...for all saints" (Ephesians 6:13, 14, 15,16,17, 18-note) Here is the Christian armor. Now will you please notice this : it is not armor to protect the body, for it is not designed to keep the Christian from physical harm, but it is armor designed to protect him against all spiritual attack. It is not something with which he clothes his body, but something with which he clothes his soul. It is hidden from the outward scrutiny of others, but its existence in the realm of a man's soul will be revealed in his daily life. That is why Paul says "though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh . . ." (2Cor 10:3). Yet our whole activity and our actions in the flesh, in the body, in daily conduct, are governed by this inward clothing, the armor of the spirit. Let a man neglect putting on this armor and he will soon reveal carnality to everybody else in his conduct and behavior. But let him go into the robing room each day with God in the name of the Lord Jesus, and let him there in prayer put on the whole armor of God —truth, righteousness, faith, peace, the helmet of salvation, the Word of God as the sword of the Spirit, and the armor of all-prayer, clothing that the world cannot see—and it will soon be evident to all by his daily conduct in his daily life that he has clothed himself with the whole armor of God (cp Ro 13:11, 12, 13, 14-notes). The absence of a time he takes to clothe himself with the armor of God is revealed in his approach to the Bible, in his criticism of everything, in his refusal of every authority, in his hesitancy to accept the Word of truth, and in his carnality of daily behavior. Here, then, is the answer to the area within the church where the greatest battles are to be fought, in the weapons of our warfare that are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. The Mind... The Thought Life You may ask, how do they work? They work in the realm of the mind. How is the victory won? It is won in the realm of the thought-life. Does this mean merely asking God to do something while we do nothing at all ourselves? No, indeed. What then is the secret of it? Jesus said, "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he," and it is our leisure thoughts, our meditative life, that decides our conduct. Alas, how much time we give to the life as it appears before men, and how little do we give to the life that appears before God! Yet it is that life that shines through everything, it is that life which is lived with the Lord Himself and which is clothed with heavenly armor that reveals itself in spirituality. It is that life, when it is lacking, that displays itself in carnality (cp John 6:63). The world, you see, sees the expression on a man's face, hears the tone of his voice, studies his actions whether they are selfish or unselfish, and by these he is judged inevitably and rightly. In spite of all his efforts to hold it all in check, he is conveying transparently to other people that his Christianity is all in the shop-window, and he is painfully lacking in being clothed with the armor of God in the soul. To be specific, it works something like this. Somebody says an unkind word about you, or you are accused falsely of something you have not done, or somebody is spiteful in his comments and critical in his attitude. You begin to think about it, you repeat it to yourself over and over again with increased indignation, and because it begins to fill your mind, you tell your friends (with additions of course) until at last, by frequent repetition, you have been insulted twenty times instead of one. You have determined to counterattack, to retaliate, to answer back, to vindicate yourself, and to prove that they are wrong and you are right. This is the carnality in the life which has happened because of corruption in the mind, because in the thought-life you have been defeated before you have to counterattack. The Law of Exclusion What then is the answer? As a Christian engaged in this conflict, knowing that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds, there is the law of exclusion. How does it operate? When the thought comes and the person is reported to have said what he has said, and the unkindness has been passed over to us, and the criticism has been made, whereas carnality would say, "Counterattack!" spirituality has the mind which was in Christ Jesus (1Cor 2:16) and humbles itself and recognizes that nothing that any person could ever say about any of us is really one hundredth part as bad as the truth if he only knew it. Therefore, we have no reason to counterattack, but one good reason to submit and to forget. That is the law of exclusion. The Law of Attention But there is the law of attention "whatsoever things," says Paul, writing to the church at Philippi, "are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Php 4:8-note) When carnality arises in our hearts, causing us to answer back, to retaliate, and to fail to follow the principle of discipleship laid down by the Master, then at that moment we must think on these things, and answer the enemy by saying, "I'm sorry, my house is full, I have no room for you and I have no time to listen to you." That is the law of attention. I quote some lovely words from that wonderful book, The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis: Many thoughts have risen up against me, and great terrors which afflict my soul. How shall I pass through them without hurt? How shall I break them in pieces before me? I will go before Thee, 0 Lord, and I will bring low the proud boasters of the earth and I will open the gates of the prison and reveal to Thee the hidden secret. Do, Lord, as thou saidst and let all wicked thoughts flee from before Thy face. This is my hope and only consolation—to put my trust in Thee, to call on Thee from my inmost heart, and to wait patiently for Thy help and for thy strength." Yes, truly, the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but they are mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; and they cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God and bring into captivity every thought into the obedience of Christ. That is the principle upon which the church was founded; that is the principle that was followed by the Master when He stepped from the throne to the manger and from the manger to the cross. That is the obedience He expects from each of His followers. But let us confess with shame, today in the realm of the intellect, the mind, the thought-life, the church—that is, you and I as believers in Christ—has followed the carnal method, and therefore she has divested herself of spiritual power. God grant that you and I everyday may go into our personal robing room alone with Him, and put on all the armor of God which is mighty to the pulling down of strongholds of the enemy. Apart from a mighty awakening and revival in the church, we are fighting a losing battle because we are resisting on carnal levels. This is not something you settle a denominational headquarters or in the high courts of the ecclesiastical world. It is something you begin to settle here and now that causes the tide of the Holy Spirit power and life to flow once again in the church, which has been blocked because we as individual believers have rejected God's principles. (Excerpt from Blessings out of Buffetings. Studies in Second Corinthians. 1984. Revell). 2 Corinthians 10:5 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, Amplified - [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One), t exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; Plummer - seeing that we demolish confident persuasions and every high structure that is being lifted up to oppose the revelation which God has given of Himself, and by making captives of every rebellious device bring them into submissive obedience to the Christ. NET 2 Corinthians 10:5 and every arrogant obstacle that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to make it obey Christ. BGT 2 Corinthians 10:5 καὶ πᾶν ὕψωμα ἐπαιρόμενον κατὰ τῆς γνώσεως τοῦ θεοῦ, καὶ αἰχμαλωτίζοντες πᾶν νόημα εἰς τὴν ὑπακοὴν τοῦ Χριστοῦ, NLT 2 Corinthians 10:5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. ESV 2 Corinthians 10:5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, NIV 2 Corinthians 10:5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. YLT 2 Corinthians 10:5 reasonings bringing down, and every high thing lifted up against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of the Christ, ASV 2 Corinthians 10:5 casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ; CSB 2 Corinthians 10:5 and every high-minded thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive to obey Christ. MIT 2 Corinthians 10:5 and every high tower erected in opposition to knowledge of God, and bringing into line every thought in subjection to Christ. NKJ 2 Corinthians 10:5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, NRS 2 Corinthians 10:5 and every proud obstacle raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ. NAB 2 Corinthians 10:5 and every pretension raising itself against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive in obedience to Christ, NJB 2 Corinthians 10:5 every presumptuous notion that is set up against the knowledge of God, and we bring every thought into captivity and obedience to Christ; GWN 2 Corinthians 10:5 and all their intellectual arrogance that oppose the knowledge of God. We take every thought captive so that it is obedient to Christ. BBE 2 Corinthians 10:5 Putting an end to reasonings, and every high thing which is lifted up against the knowledge of God, and causing every thought to come under the authority of Christ; down: Lu 1:51 Ac 4:25,26 Ro 1:21 1Co 1:19,27-29 3:19 and every: Ex 5:2 9:16,17 2Ki 19:22,28 Job 40:11,12 42:6 Ps 10:4 18:27 Isa 2:11,12,17 60:14 Eze 17:24 Da 4:37 5:23-30 Ac 9:4-6 Php 3:4-9 2Th 2:4,8 bringing: Mt 11:29,30 Ro 7:23 every thought: Ge 8:21 De 15:9 Ps 139:2 Pr 15:26 24:9 Isa 55:7 59:7 Jer 4:14 Mt 15:19 Heb 4:12 the obedience: Ps 18:44 110:2,3 Ro 1:5 16:26 Heb 5:9 1Pe 1:2,14,15,22 CLICK FOR MORE COMMENTS ON THIS VERSE Related Passages: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25+ (DESTROYING SPECULATIONS, TAKING CAPTIVES) For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, “I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE, AND THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE.” 20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 1 Corinthians 3:20+ (SPECULATIONS) and again, “THE LORD KNOWS THE REASONINGS (dialogismos) of the wise, THAT THEY ARE USELESS (mataios - futile, worthless).” Notice how Paul's description of our invisible enemy is impersonal. Our demonic enemies use men to spread the leaven of speculations and false doctrine which results in faulty Christian behavior, which is in turn ineffective in assaulting the Kingdom of darkness, because the saints have been "wounded." We are (present tense - continually) destroying (kathaireo) speculations (logismos) -This declaration is in a sense a continuation of his earlier statement in which he proposed (logizomai root of logismos) "to be courageous (bold) against some." (2Co 10:2+) Destroying means tearing down or overpowering speculations, and was a "military exercise" in which Paul was continuously engaged. Speculations (logismos) refer to "arguments and theories and reasonings" (Amplified). Worldly thoughts, ideas, reasonings and philosophies are like fortresses (2Co 10:4+) in one's mind in that they function in effect to barricade or shut out "enemy intruders" like the Gospel! Speculations (men's revelations) of untruths are diametrically opposed to God's revelation of truth, the latter being the only effective corrective of the former! (THOUGHT - Are you daily in the Word of Truth so that the Spirit might use it to purge your thinking of the world's lies and renew your mind to be more like Christ's? 1Co 2:16+). Paul used the related word reasonings (dialogismos) describing the wise thoughts, reasonings, presuppositions and ideas of the world as worthless (1Co 3:20+). Worldly weapons are worthless against God's spiritual weapons!
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Guzik comments that taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ practically means "To battle against the carnal way of thinking and doing, our thoughts must be brought captive and made obedient to Jesus. Whenever we begin to think in the carnal way, we must stop our thoughts (Ed: enabled by the indwelling Spirit, alert to falsehood, error and lies because we have a clear knowledge of the Word of Truth), take dominion over them in Jesus, and not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2). Paul's first application (Ed: in the context of these verses) is towards the carnal, worldly thinking of the Corinthian Christians that made them despise Paul and his "weakness," doubting his apostolic credentials. But Paul's principle has a much broader application (see topic Application). We are not helpless victims or recipients of our thoughts. We can choose to stop our thoughts, and bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. Thoughts of lust, thoughts of anger, thoughts of fear, thoughts of greed, bitter thoughts, evil thoughts -- they are part of every thought that may be... must be brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. Someone might object: "I don't want my thoughts to be captive to anyone. I don't want my thoughts to be captive to Jesus. I want my thoughts to be free." This is wrong on at least two points. First, you belong to someone no matter what; ultimately, we either serve Jesus or Satan. Second, if you are a Christian, you are a purchased possession of Jesus Christ. You belong to Him. (see 1Co 6:19+, 1Co 6:20+) (2 Corinthians 10) John
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Guzik - Paul doesn’t say that it is wrong to test an apostle’s credentials but that the Corinthians used the wrong test. They judged only by outward appearance. (2 Corinthians 10) If anyone is confident (peitho) in himself that he is Christ's - If is a first class conditional indicating that Paul's opponents were in fact saying with confidence "We belong to Christ." This situation was really taking place in Corinth. If anyone is singular and may be Paul's way of singling out some ringleader of the opposition. The perfect tense implies that they held fast to their false confidence! In himself conveys the sense he is Christ's as judged "by his own fair judgment." Broomall has a pithy comment on confident in himself - The verb trust (second perfect of peithō, "to trust"—as in 5:11) sets forth an internal persuasion that results in outward conviction (cf. its use in Phil 3:4; 2 Tim 1:5, 12). No group can be more cocksure than those who are deluded by the devil (cf. 2 Cor 4:3, 4; 11:13 ff.).(2 Corinthians 10) P E
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Guzik - It seems that Paul is uncomfortable writing about his own authority. This is because he is a humble, godly man. He uses boast here in an exaggerated, almost sarcastic sense to show he would prefer not to talk about his own authority; it feels like “boasting” to him. Paul realizes how much better it would be if the Corinthian Christians would just recognize his authority so that he wouldn’t have to boast somewhat more about it. (2 Corinthians 10) Broomall - Here we have an authority (1) assumed—for though I should boast, (2) possessed—our authority, (3) received—which the Lord hath given us, (4) defined—for edification, and (5) justified—I should not be ashamed. (2 Corinthians 10) Pulpit Commentary on boast In this section St. Paul is thoroughly haunted by this word. The fact that a word could thus possess and dominate over his style and imagination shows how deeply he was moved. The Corinthian Church, with its inflated factions and their fuglemen, recked with beasting, and St. Paul is driven, with utter distaste, to adopt in self-defence language which, to the uncandid and indiscriminating, might seem to wear the same aspect. The word, which is unfrequent in other Epistles, occurs eighteen times in these chapters alone Murray Harris - In Galatians (Gal 1:1, 11, 12, 15, 16+) Paul had emphasized against his opponents the divine origin of his call and gospel. Here he stresses the divine origin of his authority (cf. 2Co 3:5, 6; 2Co 13:10) and its employment for the common good (1Cor 12:7). (1 and 2 Corinthians The Expositor's Bible Commentary) Which the Lord gave for building you up (oikodome) and not for destroying (kathairesis) you - The firm foundation of Paul's unshakeable confidence was that the Lord Jesus Christ gave Paul him authority when He called him on the Damascus Road. His authority was not human but divine (belonging to the Lord). Paul later described "the authority which the Lord gave me for building up (oikodome) and not for tearing down." (2Co 13:10+). The entire tenor of 2 Corinthians was aimed at building up, not tearing down. Of course building up would require him to tear down the "false scaffolding" of his opponents (cf "destruction (kathairesis) of fortresses" and "destroying (kathaireo) speculations and every lofty thought raised up against the knowledge of God" - 2Co 10:4-5+)! By using the terms building you up and not for destroying you Paul is implying that his opponents were doing the converse (cf 1Co 3:17)! ESV Study Bible, “Building up” the church is a common Pauline description of new covenant ministry (see Rom. 14:19; 15:2, 20; 1 Cor. 3:9-14; 14:3-5; 1 Thess. 5:11). Paul frames the last section of 2 Corinthians with this theme; cf. 2 Cor. 10:8 with 2Co 13:10 (see 2Co 12:19). Chrysostom observes that the casting down of imaginations “is itself a special form of edification—removing hindrances, detecting the unsound, and laying the true together in the building”. Keener Old Testament prophets were called both to build up and to tear down (e.g., Jeremiah 1:10), but Paul is called only to build up the Corinthians (2 Cor. 12:19; 2 Cor. 13:10). - Bible Background Commentary - The IVP Bible Background Commentary – New Testament. I will not be put to shame - Paul is simply saying he would not be ashamed to boast about his use of the authority which had been given to him by his Lord Jesus Christ. He knew he was not making an empty boast for as he would later say he was actually not boasting in himself nor his accomplishments but was boasting in the Lord (2Co 10:17+). He would not be put to shame by his boast because it would not be proven false. Paul could say as the saying goes "the facts speak for themself!" THOUGHT - In boasting in the ministry the Lord had given him, Paul was boasting in the Lord. This is an excellent reminder for all of us to emulate, especially when we experience "success" of any kind in ministry. We need to immediately recall 2Co 3:5-6 and Ps 115:1. And then we need to quickly cry out the benediction of Ro 11:36+ that "from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen." Amen? Gilbrant -Paul felt no shame in this defense of himself. His motives were pure. He knew that if the opposition should be able to discredit him personally, they would nullify his message. Actually, his enemies were the ones who stood in disgrace. Paul Apple - PRINCIPLES DEMONSTRATING THAT SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY MUST BE JUDGED BY SPIRITUAL STANDARDS Spiritual authority is given by God (:8,13) Spiritual authority cannot be recognized through physical appearance or attributes (:7,12), rather we learn to judge as God judges and commend whom God commends (:18) Spiritual authority is exercised in meekness (:1) meekness is not timidity (:2,10,11) spiritual leader must be strong to fight spiritual wars with spiritual weapons (:3-5) Spiritual authority is given for edification (:8) Spiritual authority will not be ashamed (or refuted) (:8) Paul's Spiritual Authority within the field (probably geographical) God has assigned (:13) Effectiveness of Spiritual Leader in a church is limited by the submission and faith of the church (:6,15) Boast (exult, glory) (2744) kauchaomai akin to aucheo = boast + euchomai = pray to God <> auchen = neck which vain persons are apt to carry in proud manner) means to boast over a privilege or possession. The idea is to take pride in something. Note repetition in Corinthians - Rom. 2:17; Rom. 2:23; Rom. 5:2; Rom. 5:3; Rom. 5:11; 1 Co. 1:29; 1 Co. 1:31; 1 Co. 3:21; 1 Co. 4:7; 2 Co. 5:12; 2 Co. 7:14; 2 Co. 9:2; 2 Co. 10:8; 2 Co. 10:13; 2 Co. 10:15; 2 Co. 10:16; 2 Co. 10:17; 2 Co. 11:12; 2 Co. 11:16; 2 Co. 11:18; 2 Co. 11:30; 2 Co. 12:1; 2 Co. 12:5; 2 Co. 12:6; 2 Co. 12:9; Gal. 6:13; Gal. 6:14; Eph. 2:9; Phil. 3:3; Jas. 1:9; Jas. 4:16 Authority (1849) exousia from éxesti = it is permitted, it is lawful) means the power to do something and was a technical term used in the law courts, of a legal right. "Authority or right is the dominant meaning (of exousia) in the New Testament." (Vincent) Exousía refers to delegated authority and combines the idea of the "right and the might", these attributes having been granted to someone. Building up (edification) (3619) oikodome from oikos = dwelling, house + doma = building or demo = to build) is literally the building of a house and came to refer to any building process. Figuratively the idea is the process of edification or building up spiritually or spiritual strengthening. As used here in Eph 2:21, oikodome refers to the church as the building for God's indwelling. 18v in NT - Matt. 24:1; Mk. 13:1; Mk. 13:2; Rom. 14:19; Rom. 15:2; 1 Co. 3:9; 1 Co. 14:3; 1 Co. 14:5; 1 Co. 14:12; 1 Co. 14:26; 2 Co. 5:1; 2 Co. 10:8; 2 Co. 12:19; 2 Co. 13:10; Eph. 2:21; Eph. 4:12; Eph. 4:16; Eph. 4:29 2 Corinthians 10:9 for I do not wish to seem as if I would terrify you by my letters. NIV I do not want to seem to be trying to frighten you with my letters. AMP Neither would I seem to be overawing or frightening you with my letters; NLT I’m not trying to frighten you by my letters. NEB So you must not think of me as one who scares you by the letters he writes. NET I do not want to seem as though I am trying to terrify you with my letters, The Living Bible I say this so that you will not think I am just blustering when I scold you in my letters. MLB:BV neither would I appear as wanting to terrify you with my letters. CJB My object is not to seem as if I were trying to frighten you with these letters. NJB into letting you think that I can put fear into you only by letter. EXPNT I do not want you to think I am trying to scare you with my letters. REB So you must not think of me as one who tries to scare you by the letters he writes. ESV I do not want to appear to be frightening you with my letters. CSB I don’t want to seem as though I am trying to terrify you with my letters. KJV That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters. terrify: 2Co 10:10 1Co 4:5,19-21 Related Passages: 2 Corinthians 7:2-3 (PAUL'S HEART WAS NOT TO TERRIFY BUT TO SHOW HIS LOVE!) Make room for us in your hearts; we wronged no one, we corrupted no one, we took advantage of no one. 3 I do not speak to condemn you, for I have said before that you are in our hearts to die together and to live together. (HE LOVED THEM ENOUGH TO DIE FOR THEM!) 2 Corinthians 11:11 Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do! 2 Corinthians 12:15) I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less? PAUL DID NOT USE SCARE TACTICS Scare tactics are ways of achieving a particular result by frightening people so much that they do what you want them to do: For - Harris says this for (term of explanation) writing that "However legitimately Paul may have boasted about his God-given authority, he decides to refrain from expanding his simple claim in v. 8 lest he appear to be frightening the Corinthians into submission by "weighty and forceful" letters (vv. 9, 10a). (1 and 2 Corinthians The Expositor's Bible Commentary) Recall their accusation against him in 2Co 10:1 that he was "bold toward you when absent!" He did not want to "add fuel to that fire!" I do not wish to seem as if I would terrify you by my letters - NLT is an accurate paraphrase "I’m not trying to frighten you by my letters." Terrify is ekphobeo (ek = out + phobeo = fear > "scare out of one's wits"), a very strong verb only here in the Bible, meaning to cause one to be intensely afraid. Undoubtedly this statement addresses the accusations and/or insinuations by Paul's opponents that he was domineering, intimidating and abusive. This might refer specifically to the so-called "severe letter," but they could have even pointed to the first letter with statements like "What do you desire? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love and a spirit of gentleness?" (1Co 4:21) That statement could easily be twisted into a threat calculated to terrify the Corinthian readers. See the passages above that reflect the true heart for the Corinthians. Yes, Paul had indeed made the Corinthians sorrowful, but he had a high and holy purpose, desiring for then to experience the freedom of genuine repentance I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us. 10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.(2Co 7:9-10) P E
2 Coríntios 10
Guzik - There are many who are ready to commend themselves; most do not do it publicly but do it privately in their own minds. “They are also full of pride and self-conceit; they look within themselves for accomplishments which their self-love will soon find out; for to it real and fictitious are the same.” (Clarke) (2 Corinthians 10) Gromacki - The Judaizing critic, however, delighted in making such comparisons. First, he compared himself with his own self-appointed standard of excellence (“make ourselves of the number,” egkrinai). This was introspection. Second, he compared himself with others (“with some that commend themselves,” sugkrinai). This was competition. If a person adopts low standards for himself, he can usually meet them. If a person selects someone inferior with whom he can compare himself, he is bound to see himself as better (Stand Firm in the Faith) Trapp offers a good perspective - “Oh, pray to be preserved from this perilous pinnacle of self-exaltation. Look into the perfect law of liberty, and draw nigh to God. The nearer we come to God, the more rottenness we find in our bones.” (2 Corinthians 10) P E
2 Coríntios 10
Guzik - This means two things. First, it means making yourself the measure of others. Second, it means making others the measure of yourself.. This was wrong for at least two reasons. First, there did not seem to be a lot of really spiritual people among the Corinthian Christians to give a good comparison to. How much of a compliment could it have been to be the most spiritual person among the Corinthians? Secondly, it was wrong because it only measured on a human scale, focused on outward appearance. When we let the Holy Spirit measure us through God’s Word, He measures us on God’s scale, and He looks at the heart. This needs to be communicated to pastors and church leaders today: Stop measuring yourself by yourselves. Stop comparing yourselves among yourselves. We should not make ourselves the measure of others, feeling we are superior to them if, by outward appearance, we are more successful. On the other side, we should not make others our measure, feeling we are failures if – by outward appearance – they are more successful. (2 Corinthians 10)
2 Coríntios 10
Guzik - The idea of the limits of the sphere comes from the lanes that were allotted for runners in a race. The Corinthians would recognize this because they loved races and held the famous Isthmian Games in Corinth. Paul is saying, “I’m running in my own lane and not in someone else’s.”. All godly authority has a sphere. It is important for the person in authority to not exercise that authority outside the sphere, and it is important for the person under authority to recognize the sphere of authority they are under. (2 Corinthians 10) To reach even as far as you - He is referring to this ministry in Corinth, or as NLT says "our working with you." Corinth was the sphere which God had apportioned to him in which he was carry out the good works of ministry. Paul knew where God had good works prepared for him. This reminds me of Ephesians 2:10 where Paul gives the general guidelines for the sphere of ministry apportioned to EVERY believer. Paul writes that "we (NOTE HE INCLUDES HIMSELF) are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand (OUR "SPHERE") so that we would walk in them." (Eph 2:10+) Gilbrant has an excellent point - Paul's original call sent him to Gentiles and kings as well as to the Children of Israel, with emphasis on the former (Acts 9:15+). Once in the early part of his ministry he thought he might do a profitable work among his own people in the Jerusalem area. To emphasize the intended direction of his missionary call, the Lord said to him, "Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles" (Acts 22:21+). The rule for him was clear. His mission was to preach the gospel in virgin territory, where Christ had never been named (Romans 15:20). God did not intend him to labor where other preachers had already worked. His assignment was that of planting new churches, not to build on another's foundation. This designated sphere of influence had brought the apostle to Corinth. When he worshipfully recalled what the Lord did through him in founding the church there, he spoke justifiably of things within the limits God had set for him. (Complete Biblical Library - Incredible Resource) Warren
2 Coríntios 10
Guzik - Why is Paul stressing the point that he has not, and will not, take authority in another man’s sphere? Probably because that is exactly what his opponents among the Corinthian Christians did. They tried to boast in Paul’s sphere of accomplishment. (2 Corinthians 10) but with the hope (elpis) that as your faith (pistis) grows (auxano - present tense - continually), we will be, within our sphere, enlarged even more by you - What is he saying? Hope (elpis) in almost all the NT uses means not hope so but "hope sure." In this context it somewhat more of a "hope so." As the Corinthians matured his hope for them was that they would begin to reach out to other areas and plant other churches an in this way the sphere of ministry would be enlarged by their missionary activities. And as their faith grows, there would be less likelihood of infiltration and influence of false teachers. As your faith (present tense - continually) grows - A healthy faith is a growing faith. A healthy church is composed of individuals whose faith is growing "in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.." (2Pe 3:18+) THOUGHT - Would you say your faith is actively, progressively growing? If not, why not? The primary tool for growing faith is described by Peter. " like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow (auxano) in respect to salvation (aka progressive sanctification = present tense salvation." (1Pe 2:2+). Note that in context Peter gives you several clues why your faith may not be growing (1Pe 2:1+), for each of these sins (and any unconfessed sin) will stunt your desire for the Word of Truth. Upshot? No intake. No growth! It is really that simple! Broomall - A church's faith (as your faith groweth—ASV) affects a minister's activity (2 Corinthians 10) 2 Corinthians 10:16 so 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. Phillips so that before long we shall be preaching the gospel in districts beyond you, instead of being proud of work that has already been done in someone else's province. AMP So that [we may even] preach the Gospel in lands [lying] beyond you, without making a boast of work already done in another [man’s] sphere of activity [before we came on the scene]. NLT Then we will be able to go and preach the Good News in other places far beyond you, where no one else is working. Then there will be no question of our boasting about work done in someone else’s territory. NET so that we may preach the gospel in the regions that lie beyond you, and not boast of work already done in another person’s area. The Living Bible After that, we will be able to preach the Good News to other cities that are far beyond you, where no one else is working; then there will be no question about being in someone else’s field. The Message And we’ll all still be within the limits God sets as we proclaim the Message in countries beyond Corinth. But we have no intention of moving in on what others have done and taking credit for it. CSB so that we may preach the gospel to the regions beyond you without boasting about what has already been done in someone else’s area of ministry. KJV 1900 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. preach: Ro 15:24-28 line: or, rule, 2Co 10:13 Related Passages: Acts 19:21 (REGIONS BEYOND) Now after these things were finished, Paul purposed in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem after he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” Romans 15:24, 28 (REGIONS BEYOND) Whenever I go to Spain–for I hope to see you in passing, and to be helped on my way there by you, when I have first enjoyed your company for a while–....28 Therefore, when I have finished this, and have put my seal on this fruit of theirs, I will go on by way of you to Spain. GOSPEL TO REGIONS BEYOND so - So that, after that - He has just mentioned his hope for the Corinthians to expand the work in their sphere. If that happened Paul would be freed up for ministry elsewhere (regions beyond you). as to preach the gospel (euaggelizo/euangelizo) even to the regions beyond you - Regions beyond (huperekeina) is found only here and means on the far side (to Paul it was not a comic strip in time but a serious call in eternity). Paul's desire is to move on into regions where no one else has taken the Gospel. Paul wanted to put into practiced what he later "preached" (wrote) in Ro 10:14-17! and not to boast (kauchaomai) in what has been accomplished in the sphere of another - Paul had no desire to boast and take credit for work done in another person's sphere of ministry. Gilbrant - Writings of Ancient Church fathers reveal the apostle did indeed minister the gospel in Spain. He went there probably during the period between his first and second Roman imprisonments. 2 Corinthians 10:17 But HE WHO BOASTS IS TO BOAST IN THE LORD. Phillips But, He that glorieth let him glory in the Lord. The Living Bible As the Scriptures say, “If anyone is going to boast, let him boast about what the Lord has done and not about himself.” The Message “If you want to claim credit, claim it for God.” Ps 105:3 106:5 Isa 41:16 45:25 65:16 Jer 4:2 9:23,24 Ro 5:11 *Gr: 1Co 1:29,31 Ga 6:13,14 Php 3:3 *Gr: Jas 1:9,10 Related Passages: Jeremiah 9:23; 24 Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; 24 but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD. 1 Corinthians 1:31+ so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.” Psalm 20:7 Some boast in chariots and some in horses, But we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God. Psalm 34:2 My soul will make its boast in the LORD; The humble will hear it and rejoice. Romans 15:17-18 Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God. 18 For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed, Galatians 6:14 But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. NO SELF GLORY FOR PAUL But HE WHO BOASTS (kauchaomai) IS TO BOAST (kauchaomai) IN THE LORD (kurios) - The Corinthians were prone to succumb to the temptation to boast in men. In this verse, Paul leaves absolutely no room for ANY self-glory! Let's imitate Paul (1Co 11:1+). Paul does not disparage boasting, as long as we make sure it is boasting in the Only One Who deserves boasting, the Lord. Boast is a command in present imperative and the only way we can boast is by continual dependence on the Holy Spirit. Undoubtedly this was like an arrow in the heart of Paul's self-boasting adversaries, for if they were indeed Jewish detractors, they knew this passage from the Old Testament. THOUGHT - When you do a good job for Jesus, aren't you tempted just a little to take just a small percent of the glory? (I am!) Jehovah's words in the OT still ring through clearly in the NT - “I am the LORD, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another, Nor My praise to graven images." (Isaiah 42:8) The psalmist echoes Isaiah "Not to us, O LORD, not to us, But to Your name give glory Because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth." (Ps 115:1)