Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 2 Corinthians 10

There is no evidence that Paul now addresses only a segment of the Corinthian church—those favorably disposed toward his adversaries from Palestine. On the contrary, throughout these next four chapters Paul regularly identifies the views of certain unnamed people (e.g., 10:7, 10–12; 11:4, 12–13, 15, 20–23; 13:2) who formed a recognizable subversive element at Corinth, thus alerting the entire church (cf. 12:19; 13:11–13) to the danger of becoming spiritually infected.

Paul had been accused of being courageous at a distance, shooting his epistolary arrows (e.g., the “severe letter”), but subservient and weak when personally present (cf. v.10; 1 Corinthians 2:3). This charge Paul ironically repeats in v.1b as a prelude to an appeal to all the Corinthians regarding a vocal minority (“some people”), who persisted in thinking that worldly standards and motives governed all his conduct and that he relied on human powers and methods in his ministry (cf. 1:17; 2:17; 3:5; 4:2; 7:2).

What Paul wished to avoid on his forthcoming visit was a display of boldness—boldness when present, not absent! Yet he is ready to exercise his apostolic authority, whatever the outcome, if the Corinthians do not repudiate his opponents and mend their ways (cf. 12:20–21; 13:11). His “meekness and gentleness” as a true servant of Christ (cf. Matthew 11:29) should not be confused with timidity (cf. 13:10; 1 Corinthians 4:21).

There is no evidence that Paul now addresses only a segment of the Corinthian church—those favorably disposed toward his adversaries from Palestine. On the contrary, throughout these next four chapters Paul regularly identifies the views of certain unnamed people (e.g., 10:7, 10–12; 11:4, 12–13, 15, 20–23; 13:2) who formed a recognizable subversive element at Corinth, thus alerting the entire church (cf. 12:19; 13:11–13) to the danger of becoming spiritually infected.

Paul had been accused of being courageous at a distance, shooting his epistolary arrows (e.g., the “severe letter”), but subservient and weak when personally present (cf. v.10; 1 Corinthians 2:3). This charge Paul ironically repeats in v.1b as a prelude to an appeal to all the Corinthians regarding a vocal minority (“some people”), who persisted in thinking that worldly standards and motives governed all his conduct and that he relied on human powers and methods in his ministry (cf. 1:17; 2:17; 3:5; 4:2; 7:2).

What Paul wished to avoid on his forthcoming visit was a display of boldness—boldness when present, not absent! Yet he is ready to exercise his apostolic authority, whatever the outcome, if the Corinthians do not repudiate his opponents and mend their ways (cf. 12:20–21; 13:11). His “meekness and gentleness” as a true servant of Christ (cf. Matthew 11:29) should not be confused with timidity (cf. 13:10; 1 Corinthians 4:21).

Paul draws a clear distinction between existence “in the world” and worldly conduct and techniques. He does not deny his human weakness, yet he affirms that spiritual warfare demands spiritual weapons (vv.3–4a; cf. Ephesians 6:11–17). A successful campaign can be waged in the spiritual realm only as worldly weapons are abandoned and total reliance is placed on spiritual weapons, which can demolish apparently impregnable fortresses where evil is entrenched (v.4b).

Paul draws a clear distinction between existence “in the world” and worldly conduct and techniques. He does not deny his human weakness, yet he affirms that spiritual warfare demands spiritual weapons (vv.3–4a; cf. Ephesians 6:11–17). A successful campaign can be waged in the spiritual realm only as worldly weapons are abandoned and total reliance is placed on spiritual weapons, which can demolish apparently impregnable fortresses where evil is entrenched (v.4b).

What are these fortified positions that crumble before the weapons of the Spirit? Fanciful human sophistry and intellectual pretensions, otherwise called “the wisdom of this world” (1 Corinthians 3:19). The phrase “every pretension” refers to any human act or attitude that forms an obstacle to the emancipating knowledge of God contained in the Gospel of Christ and that keeps people in bondage to sin. Closely related is the expression “every thought,” which means every human device that temporarily frustrates the divine plan; they must be forcibly reduced to obedience to Christ. Paul presents the picture of a military operation in enemy territory that seeks to thwart every single hostile plan of battle, so that there will be universal allegiance to Christ.