So we’ve seen Paul tell his narrative regarding God’s comfort to him over the course of events leading to the writing of this letter (chapters 1-2, 7). And the bulk of the letter noted traits of genuine apostolic, gospel ministry (chapters 3-6). And most recently, Paul has used his hard-won authority to issue an urgent call to generous giving (chapters 8-9). But now we see a major twist. Just because things seem to be going well and Paul has full confidence in the Corinthian believers doesn’t mean the Corinthians are out of the woods. There are still the lingering and negatively influencing false teachers there, and Paul must now stoop to their level (speaking in human terms) to show the superiority of God’s ministry through him. Let’s take a look.
1) V1-6 – 1By the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you – I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” when away! 2I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. 3For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 6And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.
Paul claims meekness and gentleness (the traits of the all-powerful Jesus Christ; Matthew 11:29-30) in his appeal to the Corinthians. Those against Paul accused him of being “timid” while present with them but “bold” and threatening in his letters. He doesn’t reveal that boldness here, for his appeal comes in the form of begging (v2), rather than demanding. He wants the Corinthians, says Calvin, “to be docile and tractable towards” him, so he doesn’t have to be overly severe. He doesn’t want to have to exhibit true boldness, because it would be painful both for him and them; but he’s more than willing, especially toward those who “live by the standards of this world” (v2). Carson says, “Far from flaunting his authority by rushing into disciplinary action, Paul envisions the prospect as a dare that cannot be avoided, not a challenge to be encountered with relish.”
In v3, Paul hits on a repeat theme from this letter, noting that we are at war, but not in the way that the world perceives. We must realize, as believers, that we no longer live according to the ways of this world, not according to human or cultural standards or worldviews, but according to the Spirit and spiritual truth, God’s wisdom and a Biblical worldview. Thus Paul will not stoop to the level of his opponents in waging this intellectual war of words and attitudes. He will use divine weaponry. Paul mentions that our weapons “have divine power to demolish strongholds” (v4). He’s speaking of prayer and the sword of the Spirit, God’s Word (Acts 16:18; 5:1-11; 13:8-12). Carson says, “The contrast Paul is drawing must not be overlooked. He is not comparing, say, tanks, rifles, and missiles with prayer, fasting, and preaching. The fleshly or worldly side of the contrast depends on the interpretation of 2 Corinthians 10:3-4a – worldly weapons in this context are the kinds of tools of the trade relished by the intruders: human ingenuity, rhetoric, showmanship, a certain splashiness and forwardness in spiritual pretensions, charm, powerful personal charisma. Such weapons they will not find in Paul’s arsenal, so they think him inferior; but Paul responds by openly disavowing such weapons. He would not want to defend himself on that score, for his weapons are of an entirely different sort. They are spiritual weapons, and they are divinely powerful (or powerful in God’s perspective or for His service).”
When he speaks of “strongholds” in v4, we need to consider 1 Peter 5:8; 1 John 5:19; 2 Corinthians 11:14-15, as Paul explains what he means in v5 (Proverbs 21:22; Isaiah 2:17). Sam Storms says he’s referring to “every argument used to rationalize sin and unbelief and delay repentance… A stronghold is ‘a mindset impregnated with hopelessness that causes us to accept as unchangeable something we know is contrary to God's will’ (Silvoso). Or again, strongholds are negative patterns of thought that cripple our ability to obey God and thus breed feelings of guilt and despair.” Arnold argues that “the critical thrust of the passage is directed against christological heresy… Therefore, in its original context, demolishing strongholds refers to changing wrong ideas about Christ in the minds of believers who have been influenced by demonically inspired teaching.” Therefore, the battle for hearts and souls is really over the mind. If “every thought” is taken captive (1 Corinthians 3:18), then motives, ideas, desires and decisions – the whole person – belongs to Christ. Paul will punish (Matthew 18:18) those who side against him, not because they side against him (he’s not out for revenge), but because of the harm they bring on the congregation (Paul fights for the Church of Christ, not for himself).
2) V7-11 – 7You are looking only on the surface of things [or, Look at the obvious facts]. If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as he. 8For even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than pulling you down, I will not be ashamed of it. 9I do not want to seem to be trying to frighten you with my letters. 10For some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing.” 11Such people should realize that what we are in our letters when we are absent, we will be in our actions when we are present.
Paul claims and is unashamed about his authority to issue discipline (leading to “building you up rather than pulling you down”). He was probably accused of failing to be bold enough in person to make any real changes in the local congregation. But his goal was never to tear down the church; rather, his intentions were to build it up (v9; Luke 10:16), and that comes by serving in love and issuing godly discipline, not bullying in authority as the Pharisees might have done to the Jews in Jesus’ time. Those against Paul mocked his strongly worded letters claiming that he had no power in public speaking (v10; John 7:24; 8:15), but he responded to the assault by noting that he walks the talk. His actions speak louder than their words (v11).
3) V12-18 – 12We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. 13We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the field God has assigned to us, a field that reaches even to you. 14We are not going too far in our boasting, as would be the case if we had not come to you, for we did get as far as you with the gospel of Christ. 15Neither do we go beyond our limits by boasting of work done by others [or, 13 We, however, will not boast about things that cannot be measured, but we will boast according to the standard of measurement that the God of measure has assigned us – a measurement that relates even to you. 14 ... 15 Neither do we boast about things that cannot be measured in regard to the work done by others]. Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our area of activity among you will greatly expand, 16so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. For we do not want to boast about work already done in another man’s territory. 17But, “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord” [Jeremiah 9:24]. 18For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
Paul was deemed by some in Corinth to be weaker than “rival” false teachers, but their terms of comparison were of an egocentric, self-promoting, earthly importance. Their values, setting the standard as their own conduct, reveal their lack of understanding (v12), so it’s no surprise that they meet the standard while everyone else fails! But Paul won’t boast in matters that God hasn’t permitted – unlike his opponents (v13). Instead, he will boast about the things God has done through his ministry on their behalf (v13-15; 2 Corinthians 11:21-12:13). Storms says, “It is virtually impossible to defend oneself without exposing oneself to the charge of self-commendation. Paul’s opponents in Corinth made the former necessary, and then accused him of the latter.”
In v15-16, we see that Paul had hopes that Greece (and Corinth especially) would not be the limit of his ministry but the base of expansion toward Spain (Acts 19:21; Romans 15:22-29). Paul’s boasting is not in his own territory or in another man’s territory, but in God’s territory, which, especially among the Gentiles, is always expanding and never retreating, for the gates of hell cannot prevail against His Kingdom. And Paul wraps up this section reminding his audience that God’s approval, not man’s, is what matters (Matthew 6:1-4; John 5:44; Romans 2:29; Galatians 1:10). Calvin concludes, “Let us therefore, leaving off all other things, aim exclusively at this – that we may be approved by God and may be satisfied to have His approbation alone, as it justly ought to be regarded by us as of more value than all the applauses of the whole world.”