Paul Defends His Ministry
PAUL DEFENDS HIS MINISTRY
2 CORINTHIANS 10:1-6
We read why Paul was effective when he preached the good news.
To everyone who reads through 2 Corinthians as a continuous piece of writing, as distinct from those who take only a small portion at a time, it becomes immediately clear that 10:1 opens a new section altogether. There is a distinct break at this point, which has been explained in a number of ways. The usual “critical” opinion is that chapters 10–13 form a separate letter and are to be identified with the “severe letter” of 2:4; 7:8, sent earlier to Corinth. But it should also be noted that there is a considerable body of scholarly opinion, both conservative and otherwise, that supports the integrity of the last four chapters in the sequence in which they fall in the letter as we have it.
On the latter view, Paul turns now to deal with the still headstrong and factious minority in the church. The whole section of four chapters may be called a statement of his apostolic authority which was the point at issue between himself and those who spoke ill of him who were upsetting the Corinthians. The great majority of believers in the church had been won back by his past visit and previous letter, but there was still a pocket of resistance; these chapters are addressed to them.
10:1-6 are an impassioned appeal to the Corinthians themselves. Paul states his own clear motives and sincerity by defending himself against the suspicion that he was acting “in worldly fashion” (10:2). He refutes this charge with a military metaphor (10:3-5).
He is still a human being, living in the world (10:3), and laden down with human infirmities, but he resolutely denies any false methods which he calls “weapons … of the flesh.” His chosen weapons are of divine power, and demolish all arguments and plans which are simply human fantasies (10:4-5). This is a side glance at the Judaizers who appear to have taught that the “elements” (Galatians 4:8ff.) or the heavenly bodies should be worshiped (as in Colossians 2:16-18), as part of their attempt to reintroduce the Jewish legalistic system and impose it on the Corinthian converts. Paul knows of no rightful place for any ceremonial which comes between God and his people, and reliance on “knowledge” (Greek gnosis) has already (1 Corinthians 8) been branded as a mark of false teaching.