2 CORINTHIANS 10: 7-11 [GAINING PERSPECTIVE Series]
A DEFENSE OF GOD GIVEN AUTHORITY
As I read these words, I am appalled at the attacks that were leveled at Paul and the pain he must have felt. What spiritual battles he must have fought yet he still maintained the meekness and gentleness of Christ (10:1).
Satan thrives in anarchy therefore his great warfare is to destroy legitimate authority. He himself rebelled against God's authority and is presently usurping God's authority, for all legitimate authority is from God. God has given authority to governments and rulers and so Satan mocks them for he mocks people in legitimate authority who oppose his chaos, be they a president, politician, military commander, administrator, police officer, teacher, parent, husband or pastor. [Could it be that some para-church groups which attempt to do the work of the church outside of the local church show the enormous spill-over effect of rebellion against the authority of the local church?]
God gives His called-out servants authority to carry out His will. But those in Christian leadership who possess God given authority are not to "lord it over" others and, in a know-it all manner, impose their will on others (Mk. 10:35-45). How then are they to defend their authority? Paul here gives a worthy example of how those with God given authority within the church are to defend themselves and substantiate their legitimate authority.
Those called of God are to use their spiritual authority to build people up and not to tear down (CIM). It is far easier to tear down. Just as it is far easier to be impressive with personality and speech [or imposing with demeanor and attitude] than with a spiritual walk of kindness and meekness. Yet those that have been granted authority in Christ have within them the ability to call forth the true exercise of that authority.
I. AUTHORITY IS DELEGATED BY CHRIST, 7-8.
II. AUTHORITY IS DENOUNCED/CRITICIZED BY THE PROUD, 9-10.
III. AUTHORITY IS DEMONSTRATED IN DEEDS, 11.
Paul states in verse 7 that his leadership is fully justified because his authority has been delegated to Him by God’s call and leadership. “You are looking at things as they are outwardly. If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ's let him consider this again within himself that just as he is Christ's, so also are we.”
A major contributing factor to the Corinthian dilemma concerning authority was their superficiality and shallowness. They were concerned with the surface [superficial] or how things are or appear “outwardly.” They looked at personal appearance, mannerisms, personality, and orator or preaching skills. [Some Corinthians continued to judge Paul and his ministry according to the standards of the time; they evaluated him according to his rhetoric, logic, and his reception by various leaders.] They were still focused on externalities and worldly wisdom (1 Cor. 3:1). As a result the misleading teachers and legalists found them easy game.
How do you know you are Christ’s? Is it because of outward ability? Is it the beautiful, dominant, eloquent people that are Christ’s? Is it the dynamic TV personalities, music and movie stars that symbolize what Christian leaders should be? Or is it the powerful CEO types that represents what ministers should be? Paul tells the Corinthians that they are looking at things in a thoroughly superficial manner. If they would but look into their spiritual being and acknowledge their spiritual birth they would be forced to see that Paul was in truth their own genuine apostle God had sent to them.
How do you know you are in Christ? You know because Christ lives in you by the person of the Spirit of God. This same revelation of the Spirit who reveals to our spirit that we are children of God would reveal not only that Paul was in Christ but also the truthfulness of Paul’s ministry. Just because a person is Christ’s doesn’t give him the right to rebel against, oppose, or usurp God delegated authority.
Verse 8 indicates that since Paul’s authority comes directly from God he can build up Christians in the faith. “For even if I boast somewhat further about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you. I will not be put to shame.”
In order to vindicate and establish his apostolic authority and personal integrity, Paul will engage in what he found repugnant -boasting or self commendation. His boasting is not hollow or self-centered for its substance is what God did through him for the cause of Christ. He boasts in his authority, for it is not human authority but the Lord's. The fundamental reason for his confidence was that the Lord delegated his authority to him. It was not an authority he had usurped or took upon himself (Acts 26:16).
The purpose of Paul's authority was “for building up” or edification and “not for destroying” which would be the result of submitting to the human authority of the false teachers. Paul used his authority to build up believers in Christ. The legalists used the church to buildup their own authority. It takes love to build up (1 Cor. 8:11) so they can maturity or grow in Christ-likeness. The Corinthians had interpreted Paul's love and meekness as a sign of weakness.
Paul had restrained himself with [and concerning] his detractors because he has an overriding desire to help them, not hinder them. Now Paul might tear down false beliefs and everything raised up against the knowledge of God (v. 5) by his spiritual authority but that would only tear away the false, that the true and eternal, might be put in its place. Paul tore down the false that he might build with eternal building blocks. The faulty foundation of a rebellious mind must be cleaned away before the work of building up can truly begin. Just like you have to remove dirt until you hit solid ground before you laid the foundation on which to build a house or building. So Paul tore down strongholds, arguments and pretensions of the enemy (10:4-5), but he built up believers in the most holy faith. [The distractors though saw Paul ministry as oppressive or self-serving (12:17).]
II. AUTHORITY CRITICIZED, 9-10.
In verse 9 Paul defends himself against the accusation that he was trying to frighten or intimidate the Corinthian believers with his letters. “For I do not wish to seem as I would terrify you by my letters.”
People often use scare tactics when dealing with eternal destiny issues. The intention of Paul's letters even when strong was not to terrify but to bring about repentance. Paul wasn’t using scare tactics but he did want them to know the eternal seriousness of their decision.
Paul would preach hell as hot and horrid, and as eternal punishment for disbelief and an unrepentant lifestyle. He did teach that the believer will be judged also before the Judgment Seat of Christ. False teachers either preach all Hell and Judgment or no Hell and Judgment. Paul taught Hell and judgment because it is the bad news but he centered his ministry in the good-news that he daily lived out. [“My letters” - it seems Paul wrote at least two other letters to the Corinthians in addition to 1 and 2 Corinthians.]
Verse 10 indicates that according to his opponents standards, Paul was not an impressive orator or preacher. “For they say, "His letters are weighty and strong, but his personal presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible.
Opposing leaders in Corinth pointed out Paul’s failings in order to undermine his authority within the church community. They disparaged Paul as being all bark and no bite, when with them he had not hounded them or thrown his importance around, but if he had the devil would make sure that they would have found fault with that. No matter what course he took he would have been condemned.
They condemned his personal presence since by biblical accounts he did not have a commanding appearance like that of Barnabas (Acts 14:12). Extra biblical literature described him as short, bowlegged, bald, prominent nose and thick eye to eyebrows. The insult “unimpressive” was probably cast at his personality or demeanor since he was obviously physically strong to have endured all the suffering he went through. They interpreted meekness as weakness, patience as cowardice and gentleness as indecision.
They also disparaged Paul's preaching skill. He cared not for Greek wisdom and eloquence for the sake of eloquence. He was not concerned with charming the ear but with touching the heart by reaching the mind. He cast off superficiality so that their faith would rest not-in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
Like Christ, Paul was either ardently hated or passionately loved. Still today those that want to take charge or authority rave and tear down the personality, words, and deeds of those with God delegated authority.
III. AUTHORITY DEMONSTRATED IN DEEDS, 11.
In verse 11 Paul assures his critics that his normally humble demeanor could be as intense as his letters. “Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when absent, such persons we are also in deed when present.”
Paul warns the belittlers that what he stated in letters he was capable being in person (1 Cor 5:5; Acts 13:11; 1 Tim 1:20). He who talked about handing men over to-satan for the destruction of the flesh was quite capable of doing it. There was no inconsistency between what he wrote and what he was. He would take no pleasure in coming with Christ’s rod (1 Cor. 4:21) but he would if the situation continued to require it (2 Cor. 12:2,10). Doubt not his sincerity and ability to be translated into actions. The strength in his letters when absent and his deeds “when present" are the same. Notice how Paul waited hoping not to use the authority that was available him. Like a loving parent he waited in patience for repentance but was ready to act with determined authority. It takes more power to wait than to strike. Mature leaders suffer while they wait to act, while immature leaders act impetuously and make others suffer.”[Wiersbe, Warren. The Bible Exposition Com. Victor Books. Wheaton, IL. 1989. Vol. 1. p. 666.]
Could we apply this passage to ourselves here today Church? Are you following the authority of your pastor? How do you know that I am of Christ -by the same way you know you are of Christ, by the living Spirit of God within you. If I am of Christ, then under the admonition of Scripture you need to follow the leadership of your Pastor. My words may seem weighty and strong- because I preach the letters of Paul and of the other apostles, and my personal presence may seem weak and contemptible. Even though you are able to reason in the flesh “why listen to me or Paul,” you need to heed God's Word. And if you worry that hearing or heeding the voice of authority will destroy you, let me remind you as Paul did, our authority is from the Lord for building you up not destroying you.
Your only question should be is our pastor called by Jesus Christ our Lord, and is he under the authority of his calling in Christ? If the Spirit within you says yes, then you need to be under the authority of the man called to lead you in Christ. Otherwise whatever you attempt to do for Christ here will be out of a usurped authority.
Let’s CLOSE with a behavioral research study.
A study conducted by the National Geographic Society provide some fascinating insights into the BEHAVIOR OF CHIMPANZEES. Scientific observers noted how the leadership of a chimp community changed because of a dramatic bluff used by one of the lowliest members of the colony.
A chimp named Mike learned to dominate his chimp establishment with the aid of some empty kerosene cans and a heavy steel box. Hooting loudly, he would bang the metal objects together as he pushed them over the ground. This clamorous behavior frightened the apes so much that the leader surrendered his authority to Mike.
Unfortunately, similar situations may be seen in the church. Those who generate the most activity often receive the greatest attention and honor. But a big program and a flashy personality are not sure evidence of divine blessing.
The world depend on human demeanor [and credentials] for their authority but the Bible warns against looking "at things according to the outward appearance" (v. 7). The real measure of our leadership is whether it is in keeping with God's Word and is for His advancement rather than our own.
Make sure that whatever you do, you do for the Lord. Then when you glory, it will be in Him! [ M R. Dehan II. Our Daily Bread ] You can't magnify self and Christ at the same time.
[False teachers depend on human demeanor [or credentials] for their authority but Paul had a divine commission from heaven. Paul asserts that perspectives merely derive from people’s opinions are useless, but his apostolic authority comes from God (Acts 9:15; 2 Cor 10:18). The life that he lived & the work that he did verified his credentials, for the hand of God was evident in his life.]
How a Christian uses authority is an evidence of his spiritual maturity & character. An immature person swells as he uses his authority, but a mature person grows in the exercising of God's authority & others grow with him.
