The One Year Bible Club with Teaching
Commentary by Nick Boork
September 8
2 Corinthians 10:1-18
Commentary by Nick Boork
September 8
2 Corinthians 10:1-18
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September 8 ~ 2 Corinthians 10:1-18
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.
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— 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.
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. 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; 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 Lord.” 18 For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.
OKAY, HERE’S MY TEACHING COMMENTARY
Spiritual warfare and weapons? What’s Paul talking about here? Let’s rule out carnal weapons first. If you study church history you will discover some very dark periods when things were done in the name of Christ that were just not right. There was a time that Spanish conquistadors went forward into South America and brought their version of the gospel. They offered pagans to turn from their idolatry and embrace the Catholic faith. Sometimes if they did not then they put the people to the sword. Paul is not teaching that we should pick up arms in the name of Christ and force people to embrace the faith. No those are not the kind of weapons he’s talking about here. And I’m not here talking about the right to own and bear arms. Here in the USA that’s our second amendment right. What Paul is talking about here is the spiritual weapons he uses to influence others. This would be the written word of God applied with the revelation knowledge of the Holy Spirit and also the power of a God who answers prayers! The Bible teaches us that when Jesus confronted the devil in the wilderness he quoted the word of God three times saying it is written and rebuked the devil’s temptations. In Ephesians 6 Paul reveals that our struggle is not against people but against spiritual forces that are led by the devil. He said that all Christians are to put on the full armor of God and to take the sword of the spirit which is the word of God and pray for all the saints and the advance of the Gospel.
The context or reason in this letter that Paul was writing about him using spiritual weapons was to advance the Gospel and strengthen the church. You see there were some that resisted the word of God and need to repent of sin and follow Jesus as Lord. Paul was saying, when I’m in a confrontation with people over what is right and wrong and when I have to confront false doctrines I do it not by my own personal power but by the word and Spirit of God. He talks about tearing down of strongholds. What does this mean? It refers to false ideologies and deceived thinking about God. The devil has had years to work on people’s brains and fill their thoughts with wrong concepts about God. So Paul is saying that through the truth of the Gospel and the word of God and the working of the Holy Spirit he destroys these faults arguments and images of God and sets people free to embrace the truth.
This is what it means when he talks about bringing every thought into the obedience of Christ. This only happens by teaching the truth and leading people to embrace the truth of the word of God and be saved and transformed through it. But this is a holy war that is fought in the minds and hearts of people in the spirit of love and not forcing people to believe in the message that we preach! This is an ongoing process in all of our lives we need to destroy false thinking and take captive every thought to become obedient to Jesus Christ as Lord.
No let’s look at what Paul talked about when he said that he doesn’t compare himself with the other ministries. You know, its never a good idea to compare yourself, your ministry or your church with others. Why? Because if you think you’re better or bigger then you can get an inflated head and be filled with pride. On the other hand, if you look at others and say to yourself, I can never measure up to the size or influence of someone else then you will be tempted to look down on yourself. However, you absolutely can be inspired by others that are doing a good job in the ministry and as examples of leaders worth following like Paul said, “Follow me as I also follow Christ” The wisest position you can take is to not judge and criticize others and keep your focus on Jesus Christ and his word as your measuring stick. Remember, we all have to run our own race and ultimately will answer to the Lord and not man so let’s make it our goal to please the Lord and get our commendation from him and not man.
WHAT’S THE BOTTOM LINE?
1) Christians are involved in a warfare but it is not against people it is against the devil and his demons.
2) Our weapons are not physical weapons but rather the word of God and faith and prayer
3) The preaching of the gospel and the word of God destroys the strongholds of false teachings that the devil has established in the minds of men
4) We replace the false teachings with the truth of the word of God and bring every thought into obedience to Jesus Christ as Lord
5) You cannot force people to believe on Jesus Christ or manipulate Christians to obey no this has to come through the power of the Holy Spirit in us yielding to his influence
6) It’s never wise for us to compare ourselves with others or our ministries because Jesus Christ is our measuring stick and our reward comes from Him alone
PRAYER TO APPLY THE WORD OF GOD TO OUR LIVES
ORDINATION
We provide Ministry Credentials and Ordination through Diamond Ministerial Association. Click to learn more and apply! http://www.diamondinstitute.org/ordination
ONLINE COURSES
For Bible courses and ministry resources see our online school Diamond Institute. Enroll free today and get access to our free and pay as you go courses. http://www.diamondinstitute.org/enroll
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.
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— 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.
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. 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; 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 Lord.” 18 For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.
OKAY, HERE’S MY TEACHING COMMENTARY
Spiritual warfare and weapons? What’s Paul talking about here? Let’s rule out carnal weapons first. If you study church history you will discover some very dark periods when things were done in the name of Christ that were just not right. There was a time that Spanish conquistadors went forward into South America and brought their version of the gospel. They offered pagans to turn from their idolatry and embrace the Catholic faith. Sometimes if they did not then they put the people to the sword. Paul is not teaching that we should pick up arms in the name of Christ and force people to embrace the faith. No those are not the kind of weapons he’s talking about here. And I’m not here talking about the right to own and bear arms. Here in the USA that’s our second amendment right. What Paul is talking about here is the spiritual weapons he uses to influence others. This would be the written word of God applied with the revelation knowledge of the Holy Spirit and also the power of a God who answers prayers! The Bible teaches us that when Jesus confronted the devil in the wilderness he quoted the word of God three times saying it is written and rebuked the devil’s temptations. In Ephesians 6 Paul reveals that our struggle is not against people but against spiritual forces that are led by the devil. He said that all Christians are to put on the full armor of God and to take the sword of the spirit which is the word of God and pray for all the saints and the advance of the Gospel.
The context or reason in this letter that Paul was writing about him using spiritual weapons was to advance the Gospel and strengthen the church. You see there were some that resisted the word of God and need to repent of sin and follow Jesus as Lord. Paul was saying, when I’m in a confrontation with people over what is right and wrong and when I have to confront false doctrines I do it not by my own personal power but by the word and Spirit of God. He talks about tearing down of strongholds. What does this mean? It refers to false ideologies and deceived thinking about God. The devil has had years to work on people’s brains and fill their thoughts with wrong concepts about God. So Paul is saying that through the truth of the Gospel and the word of God and the working of the Holy Spirit he destroys these faults arguments and images of God and sets people free to embrace the truth.
This is what it means when he talks about bringing every thought into the obedience of Christ. This only happens by teaching the truth and leading people to embrace the truth of the word of God and be saved and transformed through it. But this is a holy war that is fought in the minds and hearts of people in the spirit of love and not forcing people to believe in the message that we preach! This is an ongoing process in all of our lives we need to destroy false thinking and take captive every thought to become obedient to Jesus Christ as Lord.
No let’s look at what Paul talked about when he said that he doesn’t compare himself with the other ministries. You know, its never a good idea to compare yourself, your ministry or your church with others. Why? Because if you think you’re better or bigger then you can get an inflated head and be filled with pride. On the other hand, if you look at others and say to yourself, I can never measure up to the size or influence of someone else then you will be tempted to look down on yourself. However, you absolutely can be inspired by others that are doing a good job in the ministry and as examples of leaders worth following like Paul said, “Follow me as I also follow Christ” The wisest position you can take is to not judge and criticize others and keep your focus on Jesus Christ and his word as your measuring stick. Remember, we all have to run our own race and ultimately will answer to the Lord and not man so let’s make it our goal to please the Lord and get our commendation from him and not man.
WHAT’S THE BOTTOM LINE?
1) Christians are involved in a warfare but it is not against people it is against the devil and his demons.
2) Our weapons are not physical weapons but rather the word of God and faith and prayer
3) The preaching of the gospel and the word of God destroys the strongholds of false teachings that the devil has established in the minds of men
4) We replace the false teachings with the truth of the word of God and bring every thought into obedience to Jesus Christ as Lord
5) You cannot force people to believe on Jesus Christ or manipulate Christians to obey no this has to come through the power of the Holy Spirit in us yielding to his influence
6) It’s never wise for us to compare ourselves with others or our ministries because Jesus Christ is our measuring stick and our reward comes from Him alone
PRAYER TO APPLY THE WORD OF GOD TO OUR LIVES
ORDINATION
We provide Ministry Credentials and Ordination through Diamond Ministerial Association. Click to learn more and apply! http://www.diamondinstitute.org/ordination
ONLINE COURSES
For Bible courses and ministry resources see our online school Diamond Institute. Enroll free today and get access to our free and pay as you go courses. http://www.diamondinstitute.org/enroll