In 2 Corinthians Chapter 10, Paul begins a more direct defense of his apostolic authority, responding to critics who accused him of being weak in person despite appearing bold in his letters. He clarifies that although he walks humbly, his ministry operates with spiritual power rather than worldly methods, describing how he wages spiritual warfare against arguments and strongholds that oppose the knowledge of God. Paul emphasizes that his weapons are not human but divinely powerful, capable of tearing down false reasoning and bringing every thought into obedience to Christ.
Paul then addresses the accusations made against him, insisting that his authority comes directly from the Lord and was given for building up the church rather than tearing it down. He warns against comparing himself to others who boast in their own achievements, emphasizing that true commendation comes from the Lord rather than self promotion. Paul explains that he intentionally avoided boasting about work done by others, focusing instead on the ministry God assigned specifically to him among the Corinthians. The chapter concludes with Paul affirming that genuine praise should not come from self exaltation but from the approval of the Lord, encouraging believers to measure themselves by God’s standards rather than human comparison.
Chapter 10 (BBE)
1 Now I, Paul, myself make request to you by the quiet and gentle behaviour of Christ, I who am poor in spirit when with you, but who say what is in my mind to you without fear when I am away from you:
2 Yes, I make my request to you, so that when I am with you I may not have to make use of the authority which may be needed against some to whom we seem to be walking after the flesh.
3 For though we may be living in the flesh, we are not fighting after the way of the flesh
4 (For the arms with which we are fighting are not those of the flesh, but are strong before God for the destruction of high places);
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;
6 Being ready to give punishment to whatever is against his authority, after you have made it clear that you are completely under his control.
7 Give attention to the things which are before you. If any man seems to himself to be Christ’s, let him keep in mind that we are as much Christ’s as he is.
8 For though I might take pride in our authority (which the Lord gave for building you up, and not for your destruction), it will not be a cause of shame to me:
9 That I may not seem to have the desire of causing you fear by my letters.
10 For his letters, they say, have weight and are strong; but in body he is feeble, and his way of talking has little force.
11 Let those who say this keep in mind that, what we are in word by letters when we are away, so will we be in act when we are present.
12 For we will not make comparison of ourselves with some of those who say good things about themselves: but these, measuring themselves by themselves, and making comparison of themselves with themselves, are not wise.
13 We will not give glory to ourselves in over-great measure, but after the measure of the rule which God has given us, a measure which comes even to you.
14 For we have no need to make ourselves seem more than we are, as if our authority did not come as far as to you: for we came even as far as you with the good news of Christ:
15 Not taking credit to ourselves for what is not our business, that is, for the work of others; but having hope that, with the growth of your faith, we may get the credit for an increase which is the effect of our work,
16 So that we may be able to go on and take the good news to countries still farther away than you are, and not take credit for another man’s work in making things ready to our hand.
17 But whoever has a desire for glory, let his glory be in the Lord.
18 For the Lord’s approval of a man is not dependent on his opinion of himself, but on the Lord’s opinion of him.
Important Verses
Verse 3 Paul explains that although believers live in the world, their warfare is spiritual rather than physical.
Verse 4 He describes how his weapons carry divine power capable of destroying strongholds and false arguments.
