By His Attitude. Series

December 4, 2014

Tom Lowe

The Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians

Lesson IV.A.1: By His Attitude. (10:1–6).

2nd Corinthians 10:1-6 (NKJV)

1 Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you.

2 But I beg you that when I am present I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.

4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,

5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

Introduction

Paul’s message in the last four chapters of 2nd Corinthians is obvious: The Corinthians had better shape up before his next visit. Clearly, chapter 10 introduces a drastic change of tone in 2nd Corinthians from conciliatory to severe. In the first nine chapters, Paul was careful to congratulate the Corinthians for their obedience to his latest directives (2:5-11; 13:2, 5).

Because of this drastic change of tone, some commentators have asserted that the last four chapters of 2nd Corinthians are in reality the “severe letter” spoken of in 7:8. Even though this theory has gained popularity, there are other ways to explain the change in tone. First, Paul may have been using the time-honored strategy of complementing a person before criticizing him or her. In 2nd Corinthians, Paul first commended the Corinthians for their obedience to his recent instructions so they would be open to changing their behavior in other areas. The commendation would prepare them to accept the more harsh aspect of what he had to say: for example, the fact that on his next visit he would discipline those who oppose his authority (see 2 Cor. 13:1-3). Another way to explain the change of tone is to assume that there was an extended pause in the writing of 2nd Corinthians at 10:1. During this pause, Paul received distressing news of what was occurring in Corinth, and he appropriately addressed those issues with a more severe tone.

In any case, it is clear that the first nine chapters of 2nd Corinthians have a cautious and measured tone that points to an uneasy relationship between Paul and the Corinthians. Paul had to explain the intent of what he was saying (3:1-2; 5:12-14; 7:3-4), had to defend his recent travel plans (1:17), and had to beg for the Corinthian’s affections (6:11, 12; 7:2). Although Paul and the Corinthians had been reconciled to a certain extent (see 7:7; 12-16), there were persistent problems in their relationship. Whatever the exact cause of Paul’s change of tone in chapter 10, it is obvious that certain difficulties in the Corinthian church deserved a more harsh tone. Paul had already cautiously defended his authority (3:1-6), his ministry (5:19-21), and his integrity (8:20). He had already commended the Corinthians for their hospitality (7:13) and their eagerness to give (9:2). At this point in 2nd Corinthians, Paul was ready to warn the Corinthians to change their ways (11:3-4, 12-14; 13:5).

Commentary

1 Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you.

Although most of the Corinthian congregation sided with Paul (which is evident from 7:8-16), a persistent minority continued to slander him. (This group of critics may have been associated with the repentant slanderer of 2:5-11, but no one knows for certain.) The group challenged Paul’s integrity by pointing out that he was bold in his letters but timid in person—in other words, reluctant to exercise any authority when he visited them. Paul’s critics saw this as deceitfulness and an indication that Paul truly didn’t possess the spiritual authority he claimed. Chapters 10 through 13 are Paul’s direct response to his critics in Corinth.

Rarely did Paul use his own name in the middle of a letter (for the exceptions, see Colossians 1:23; Philemon 1:19). Paul commonly identified himself at the beginning and end of his letters (see 1 Corinthians 1:1; 16:21; Colossians 1:1; 4:18; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; 3:17). But he identified himself at this point in 2nd Corinthians because his own reputation and the truth of what he preached was under attack. Paul’s opposition would say of him: “He’s not an apostle. Just look at him. He’s a tentmaker. He is just an ordinary man.” Well, that’s true, he was an ordinary man, but he happened also to be an apostle. He was nothing special to see. He wasn’t a somebody. He was just an ordinary fellow making tents, but he happened to be an apostle, and the Lord made him very special—he used him to write most of the books of the New Testament.