RSV ~ 2 Corinthians 10 Notes

2 Cor 10:1-13 | ISB Notes

Paul spends the final chapters of the letter aggressively defending his apostleship. While he earlier (chaps. 1-9) addressed the majority of the Corinthians who still support him, he turns now to confront the impenitent minority who have embraced the “false apostles” (11:13). Throughout this section, Paul unmasks the illegitimacy of these “superlative apostles” (11:5; 12:11) and even threatens to discipline members who refuse to separate from them (10:6; 13:2). This shift of focus between the earlier and latter parts of the letter accounts for the change in Paul’s tone, from conciliatory (chaps. 1-9) to confrontational (chaps. 10-13).

2 Cor 10:1 | ISB Notes

I who am humble: Opponents charged Paul with being bold at a distance but mild and even timid in their presence.

This alleged inconsistency was especially true of his discipline: they felt that his written threats were never matched with decisive action in person (1 Cor 4:18-21). Paul, however, imitates the gentleness of Christ by reserving severity and discipline as a last resort; he threatens punishment in his letters to avert the need for it when he visits (10:6; 13:2, 10).

2 Cor 10:3-6 | ISB Notes

Behind Paul’s visible opponents in Corinth lurk powers that are invisible and demonic. He is confident, however, that his ministry leads divine power to the world through weapons of spiritual warfare: preaching, prayer, Scripture, and the Sacraments. Not even the proud and sophisticated arguments of his rivals can withstand the truth of his gospel, which alone brings every thought of man under the Lordship of Christ. See note on 2 Cor 6:7.

• There is no excuse for thinking that some sins are punished while others go unpunished. The apostle says every proud obstacle will be punished; and every sin, because it expresses contempt for the divine law, is a proud height that exalts itself against the knowledge of God (St. Basil, On the Judgment of God).

2 Cor 10:8 | ISB Notes

our authority: Paul’s apostleship is a constructive mission, not a destructive one. The only reason he defends his authority so vigorously is that his rivals deny it so emphatically.

2 Cor 10:10 | ISB Notes

His letters … his speech: Critics charged that Paul was an assertive and forceful writer but an unimpressive speaker.

See word study: Unskilled at 2 Cor 11.

2 Cor 10:12 | ISB Notes

compare themselves: The false apostles not only discredit Paul, they compete with one another for prestige in the Corinthian Church. They have to commend themselves with letters of recommendation (3:1) because, unlike Paul, they are not commissioned by God (1:21; 2:17; 10:18).

2 Cor 10:13-18 | ISB Notes

Paul accuses the false teachers of trespassing into his own missionary territory and taking credit for the spiritual growth of the Corinthians. Whatever the claims of these troublemakers, Paul is the true “father” of the Corinthians (1 Cor 4:15) since he was the first to bring them new life in the gospel (2 Cor 10:14; Acts 18:1-18).

2 Cor 10:13 | ISB Notes

boast beyond limit: This probably has two, interrelated, meanings. (1) Paul and his companions do not invade mission fields for which others are responsible. That is, they stay within the territorial limits assigned to them without taking credit for labors done in “another’s field” (10:16; Rom 15:20). (2) Paul and company do not boast beyond the acceptable limits of humility but give the Lord full credit for their successful ministry (10:17). See note on 1 Cor 4:6.

2 Cor 10:16 | ISB Notes

lands beyond you: Paul aspires to carry the gospel to Rome and as far west as Spain (Acts 19:21; Rom 15:24, 28).

2 Cor 10:17 | ISB Notes

boast of the Lord: A paraphrase of the Greek rendition of Jer 9:24.

• Jeremiah warns Israel not to boast of its wisdom, might, or riches (9:23). The Israelites should delight only in the Lord, from whom all these blessings flow. .