Verses 1-2 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: 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 of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
The Apostle Paul states that when he is with the congregation at Corinth he is gentle and does not “lord it over them”, but when he is away from them and hearing of problems within the church he is bold or an apostle of action and an apostle willing to risk offending them if necessary to fix the problems. Since he is planning to come to them, he tells them that he hopes he does not have to exert his right as an apostle/evangelist/ servant of God/overseer of the churches, and have to confront those who are accusing him and others of not walking as Jesus would have His servants walk, but are being carnal.
Verses 3-6 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our 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 your obedience is fulfilled.
Though he is clothed with flesh which represents the weakness of mankind, and lives in a wicked world, he is not using his flesh to battle evil and the Devil. He is not using his intellect, his intelligence, his emotions or his own nature or personality to war against unrighteousness, whether in man or in the spirit world. The weapons the Apostle Paul is using to fight spiritual battles are not governed by human nature, but by the Spirit of God. What are these weapons or instrument that win over the actions of the Devil and his followers? Prayer, Bible knowledge, faith, obedience to God, the presence of the Holy Ghost/Spirit and His power, the gifts of the Spirit, and standing on His promises. With these tools, those who are disobedient to the LORD and who are serving the Devil can be defeated and evil spirits will have to flee away.
Application: Battles cannot be won merely by desiring to defeat evil and using tools of the believers own will and ability. Pride enters in when trying to be spiritual through efforts of the self or the flesh. Battles can only be won by relying of the Holy Spirit. And to have the power of the Holy Spirit, believers need to be obedient to the commandments of God and to the leading of His Spirit.
Verse 7 Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ’s, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ’s, even so are we Christ’s.
The Apostle Paul questions the Corinthians as to whether they are forming opinions based on appearances which can be misleading. He reminds them that just as they belong to Christ Jesus, he and his companions in the ministry also belong to Christ Jesus.
Application: The old saying, “you can’t judge a book by its cover”, is basically what the Apostle Paul is stating in the verse above. One needs to get to know other believers before forming opinions as to whether they are truly Christians and/or whether they are walking with the LORD. Unfortunately, in today’s culture people have been programed by media to judge others by how they look, how they dress, what type of car they drive, or what size house they live in to name a few of the criteria. Having ridden with Christian motorcyclist, this writer quickly learned to never judge any of the bikers, Christian or non-Christian, by their outside appearance. Some of the “scruffiest” bikers proved to be the best evangelists and representatives of Jesus Christ, preaching the Gospel from their hearts and gaining converts where others would have failed to reach the lost.
Verses 8-10 For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed: 9 That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters. 10 For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.
Apparently criticism has been voiced against the Apostle Paul because of his physical appearance and because of his letters of correction to the Corinthians and to other churches. Here the Apostle Paul explains that he could legitimately boast a lot about the Christ-given authority he has been given over the churches of Christ and that his authority is not designed to cause harm, but is for the building up of the churches. He then refers to his previous epistles which apparently communicate with that authority and yet are in contrast to his physical appearance and to his speech when he is in their presence. Perhaps the people in the Corinthian church did not understand the Apostle Paul’s humility and complete reliance upon the LORD whom he served.
Verses 11-12 Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present. 12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
So the Apostle Paul states here that for those men criticizing him and his fellow ministers in the Faith he will be as stern and authoritarian with them when he revisits them in the future as he is in his written epistles. He also constructively criticizes those who compare themselves spiritually to others as the measure of righteousness and of effective ministry. Approval (the belief that someone or something is good or acceptable) is God’s alone. He approves or disapproves of each individual calling themselves Christian by how well they have become like His Son, Jesus Christ.
Application: Criticism is defined as “the expression of disapproval of someone or something based on perceived faults or mistakes.” Although there is such a thing as constructive criticism, most of the time criticism is negative in nature. The Apostle Paul was always the brunt of criticism inside and outside of the various churches he established through the power of the Holy Ghost/Spirit. This is going to be the case for those dedicated Christian believers who are doing the work of the LORD and spreading the Gospel message. There is always someone who thinks they can do it better: teach Biblical principles more clearly or preach a sermon more effectively, instruct children in Sunday school in a more entertaining manner, and so forth. Churches are full of people who love to criticize not only the pastor, but members of the congregation also. It can often be observed that those doing the criticism rarely offer to help those being criticized. These people who love to criticize because they think they can do a better job share their criticism with others and thereby cause division in the body. Criticism among the people of God is similar and just as destructive as gossip, and can therefore become gossip if the criticism voiced to one believer is then verbally passed on to others. It is sin and should not be found in the Church.
Verses 13-18 But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you. 14 For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ: 15 Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men’s labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly, 16 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. 17 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 18 For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth. (2 Corinthians 10)
This chapter ends with the Apostle Paul making it clear that he can only take credit for those things that God has assigned or given to him and that his geographical area of ministry is what he has been given authority over. Any ministry outside of this God-given area is by other ministers of the Gospel and not anything that he would boast about as his labor did not produce any fruit in the territory not given to him by the LORD.