1 Second Corinthians “Paul – A Minister of Christ” Lesson 11 Second Corinthians 10:1-18 Page 12

A note before we start… In chapters 10-13, Paul defends his apostleship. In chapters 10-13, Paul defends his apostleship. Paul is obviously answering charges made against him by his critics [accusers]. Paul is obviously answering charges made against him by his critics [accusers]. We must form our own conclusions as to what the charges were by carefully studying the scriptures of Paul’s answers. We must form our own conclusions as to what the charges were by carefully studying the scriptures of Paul’s answers. 2

3 Major Divisions in Second Corinthians Paul’s Ministry: Defined (Second Corinthians 1:1 - 7:16) Paul’s Ministry: Demonstrated (Second Corinthians 8:1 - 9:15) Paul’s Ministry: Defended (Second Corinthians 10:1 - 13:10) Paul’s Concluding Remarks (13:11-14)

4 IV. PAUL’S MINISTRY: DEFENDED Second Corinthians 10:1- 13:10 A. Defense of its spiritual nature. 10:1-11 B. Defense of its heavenly authority. 10:12-18 C. Defense against false charges. 11:1-15 D. Defense against false tactics. 11:16-21 E. Defense by accounts of sufferings. 11:22-33 F. Defense by claims of revelations. 12:1-10 G. Defense by possession of signs. 12:11-13 H. Defense by personal concern for brethren. 12:14-21 I. Defense by their own self-examination. 13:1-10

Paul’s Relationships With The Corinthians Paul’s Ministry Defended -- Paul had much opposition from false teachers [false apostles] [enemies] at Corinth – –His conduct was blameless, inoffensive, loving, humble, and mild in his dealings with them – –But, the false teachers bore ill-will and envy toward him. They undermined his teachings, his reputation, his conduct, his authority, and his apostleship   They belittled his authority as an apostle and claimed to be equal to, or better, than Paul – –He must defend his apostleship and assert his power as an apostle of Jesus Christ to protect the faithful brethren at Corinth and beyond 5

Paul’s Relationships With The Corinthians In doing so – He refuses to justify [boast] himself, or to act by such rules as the false teachers did He acted by better rules he had established for himself They claimed he lived according to the flesh – acting as one with worldly ends as his objective – –And, claimed his bodily presence was weak, and his speech contemptible -- in addition to many other insinuations and accusations Paul was engaged in spiritual warfare! 6

The Spiritual War 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. 7 Let’s read 2 Corinthians 10:1-2 (NKJV)

8 2 Corinthians 10:1-2 Paul’s Defense Of The Spiritual Nature Of His Ministry 2 Corinthians 10:1-2 It had been marked by meekness, gentleness and boldness. vs. 1, 2 – –He imitated the behavior of Jesus in meekness toward some. See 1Corinthians 11:1; John 11:35. – –He acted like the same Jesus in boldness toward others. See Matthew 23:33.   Drastic actions are sometimes needed. See Acts 13:10; 1Timothy 1:20. – –Paul’s behavior was dictated by the behavior of those he tried to teach. vs. 2

9 2 Corinthians 10:1-2 Paul’s Defense Of The Spiritual Nature Of His Ministry 2 Corinthians 10:1-2 “…as if we walked according to the flesh” = Paul was being charged with a weak human nature, governed by principles of the world, guided by personal interests, by selfish ambition, by love of power and popularity, by seeking his own advantages.

The Spiritual War 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… 10 Let’s read 2 Corinthians 10:3-4a (NKJV)

11 2 Corinthians 10:3-4a It Had Been Marked By Mighty Weaponry 2 Corinthians 10:3-4a “Super powers” possess “super” weapons of war. Paul’s weapons were not worldly in nature. Nevertheless, they were “mighty in God.” – –God supported Paul’s use of His mighty weapons against the enemies of truth. Fighting against Paul was fighting against God. See Acts 5:29.

The Spiritual War 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. 12 Let’s read 2 Corinthians 10:4b-6 (NKJV)

13 2 Corinthians 10:4b-6 It Had Been Marked By Awesome Power 2 Corinthians 10:4b-6 The power was directed toward “pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God...” (vs.4b,5) Every unworthy behavior would be destroyed by God’s power. (v.5) Every disobedience would be punished in due time. (v.6)

7 Do you look at things according to the outward appearance? If anyone is convinced in himself that he is Christ’s, let him again consider this in himself, that just as he is Christ’s, even so we are Christ’s. 8 For even if I should boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord gave us for edification and not for your destruction, I shall not be ashamed— 14 Let’s read 2 Corinthians 10:7-8 (NKJV)

15 2 Corinthians 10:7-8 It Had Been Marked By Significant Credentials 2 Corinthians 10:7-8 The outward credentials of Paul’s ministry were obvious to all. (v.7) – –They would compare favorably with any other ministry among them. – –Paul would soon deal with facts proving his ministry to be far superior to any other they had been associated with (chapters 11 and 12). See Matthew 7:20.

16 The heaven-sent credentials of his ministry could not be challenged. (v.8) – –Any contest of those credentials might bring “destruction” to challengers. 2 Corinthians 10:7-8 It Had Been Marked By Significant Credentials 2 Corinthians 10:7-8

9 lest I seem to terrify you by letters. 10 “For his letters,” they say, “are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.” 11 Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such we will also be in deed when we are present. 9 lest I seem to terrify you by letters. 10 “For his letters,” they say, “are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.” 11 Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such we will also be in deed when we are present. 17 Let’s read 2 Corinthians 10:9-11 (NKJV)

18 2 Corinthians 10:9-11 It Had Been Marked By Unwavering Consistency 2 Corinthians 10:9-11 It is ironic that Paul’s detractors were likely as “weak” (compromising and patronizing) in their speech and actions as they accused Paul of being. They would resort to anything to draw away as many as they could from Paul’s influence. – –This was surely a case of “the pot calling the kettle black.” The apostle warned these detractors that he would deal with them sternly when he met them in person at some time in the future.

Paul’s Heavenly Authority 12 For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. 19 Let’s read 2 Corinthians 10:12 (NKJV)

20 2 Corinthians 10:12-18 Paul’s Defense Of The Heavenly Authority Of His Ministry 2 Corinthians 10:12-18 His work should be measured by a heavenly standard. (v.12) Other ways of evaluating it were “not wise.” See 1Corinthians 1:20, 21. “Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.” It seems obvious that if a person’s standard is himself, then he is always right!

Paul’s Heavenly Authority 13 We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us— a sphere which especially includes you. 14 For we are not overextending ourselves (as though our authority did not extend to you), for it was to you that we came with the gospel of Christ; 21 Let’s read 2 Corinthians 10:13-14 (NKJV)

22 2 Corinthians 10:12-18 Paul’s Defense Of The Heavenly Authority Of His Ministry 2 Corinthians 10:12-18 His authority to work there was within limits set by God, not man. (vs.13,14) – –Paul came to Corinth by God’s appointment, not his own. (v.13) – –He had not “bitten off more than he could chew” in coming there; God had fully equipped him for success in preaching the gospel in that city. – –False teachers had no divine commission to preach there (or anywhere).

15 not boasting of things beyond measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but having hope, that as your faith is increased, we shall be greatly enlarged by you in our sphere, 16 to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s sphere of accomplishment. 17 But “he who glories, let him glory in the L.” 18 For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends. 17 But “he who glories, let him glory in the L ORD.” 18 For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends. 23 Let’s read 2 Corinthians 10:15-18 (NKJV)

24 2 Corinthians 10:12-18 Paul’s Defense Of The Heavenly Authority Of His Ministry 2 Corinthians 10:12-18 His authority was used to accomplish lawful goals. (vs.15-17) – –He reveled in preaching where the gospel had not gone before. (v.15) – –This had come to be a driving force in his preaching life. –“And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man's foundation…” –See Romans 15:20. “And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man's foundation…”

25 2 Corinthians 10:12-18 Paul’s Defense Of The Heavenly Authority Of His Ministry 2 Corinthians 10:12-18 His authority was used to accomplish lawful goals. (vs.15-17) – –He reveled in preaching where the gospel had not gone before. (v.15) – –This had come to be a driving force in his preaching life. – –He expected their help in carrying apostolic authority into other places. (vs.15,16) – –Churches “did well” when they shared with Paul in his service to Christ. See Philippians 4:

26 2 Corinthians 10:12-18 Paul’s Defense Of The Heavenly Authority Of His Ministry 2 Corinthians 10:12-18 His authority was exercised only in ways that pleased the Lord. (v.18) – –The false teachers boosted themselves; their “booster club” was altogether composed of and controlled by themselves. – “God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?” –Paul’s ministry was “boosted” by Christ Himself. See Hebrews 2:4. “God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?”