Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 2 Corinthians 10:6

"and being in readiness to avenge all disobedience, when your obedience shall be made full." — 2 Corinthians 10:6 (ASV)

If circumstances forced Paul to turn from “meekness and gentleness” to a stern assertion of his authority, his plan of action has two stages. (1) He must bring the Corinthians’ obedience to completion (cf. 2:9; 7:15), achieved only when they dissociate themselves from his opponents, fully recognize his apostolic authority, and make a total break with idolatry (6:14–7:1). (2) There is the (as yet undefined) punishment of “every act of disobedience” performed by his adversaries from Palestine or by any remaining insubordinate Corinthians.

In other words, Paul must secure a firm base in the Corinthian church before he will risk a face-to-face confrontation with those who still oppose him. Unless a church as a whole is willing to support spiritual discipline, that discipline will remain largely ineffective. Another important principle emerges when vv.5 and 6 are compared: Obedience to Christ entails submission to his appointed representatives.