2 Corinthians 10:1-10

2 Corinthians 10:1-10

[1] Now  I  Paul  myself  beseech  by  and  gentleness  of Christ,  who  in  presence  am base  among  but  being absent  am bold  toward  [2] 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  as  if we walked  according  to the flesh.  [3] For  though we walk  in  the flesh,  not  war  after  the flesh:  [4] (For  the weapons  warfare  are not  carnal,  but  mighty  through God  to  the pulling down  of strong holds;)  [5] 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;  [6] And  having  in  a readiness  to revenge  all  disobedience,  when  obedience  is fulfilled.  [7] Do ye look on  things after  the outward appearance?  trust  to himself  Christ's,  himself  think  again,  that,  as  he  is Christ's,  even  so  Christ's.  [8] For  though  I should boast  somewhat  of  authority,  which  the Lord  hath given  for  edification,  and  not  for  destruction,  not  be ashamed:  [9] seem  as  if  I would terrify  by  letters.  [10] For  his letters,  say they,  are weighty  and  powerful;  but  his bodily  presence  is weak,  and  his speech  contemptible. 

What does 2 Corinthians 10:1-10 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

In this third and last major division of his epistle the apostle Paul defended his apostolic authority. He did this to silence his critics in Corinth and perhaps elsewhere permanently and to confirm the united support of the Christians there. One of Paul"s major purposes in writing this letter was to prepare the way for his next visit. He had just referred to that "anticipated visit" ( 2 Corinthians 9:3-4). Consequently he felt compelled to establish his apostolic authority firmly.
". . . the reason for the new subject (as in 1 Corinthians 7:1; 1 Corinthians 12:1; 1 Corinthians 15:1) lies primarily in the situation [1] rather than in Paul"s logic." [2]
Broomall"s observation on the tone of2Corinthians generally is especially true of chapters10-13.
"The progress of thought in this epistle is like the movement of a mighty army advancing over rugged terrain still inhabited by pockets of stubborn resistance." [3]
". . . 2 Corinthians 10-13presents us with what might almost be called a new kind of Judaizing: a Hellenistic Jewish movement that opposed Paul but was less concerned (so far as we know) with circumcision and with detailed observance of the Mosaic law than with prestige and power in accord with the contemporary values of Corinthian society. Paul"s response ( 2 Corinthians 10-13) is the most intense, revealing, and emotional of all his writings." [4]