2 Corinthians 10
1 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:
Paul's letters to the Corinthians have been one of love. He has had to show
boldness at times and gentleness. He is warning them not to fall back into
the old ways and stay focused. He doesn't want to show up there and everything returned to the worldly ways. He is going to be very bold from here on, so hold on. Don't refuse what is going to be said. It's for some of them to get back to The Truth, The Way. Remember this while you go through this study. It's not hate for them, but love in correction.
2 But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
Paul wants to be gentle but some need that boldness. So as he is talking to everyone, he wants those that walk after the flesh in the church to understand he's on to them and he's is addressing them in his boldness.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
This is a spiritual war. It's not a war of flesh, with swords, but with Truth. It's The Way against a way. The war has already been won, but many in this flesh are ignoring it, so it requires Christians to fight the good fight against evil while in this flesh.
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
Our weapons aren't earthly, They're spiritual. We have been given the gospel armor for this war. Ephesians 6:10-17 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; Ready for battle! 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; We are soild in our stance! We can't be moved! 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Salvation is secured under that helmet. You're protected by the fact you're saved by the blood of Christ. The Word of God cutting both ways. It holds The Way in which to go while in the flesh.
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
This is just like today. THE church has conformed to their own imaginations, turning from The Word of God. They've made up other ways and placed them in the church. That has trapped them into the ways of satan and away from The Ways of Christ. Traditions and false doctrines put you in captivity, into bondage. It's because The Word isn't being taught anymore. It's written Chapter by Chapter and verse by verse because that's how it should be read. That's how it's studied.
6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
Not one person gets away with anything. God sees to it!
7 Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? if any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.
You may have a big church with the look of a Pastor, but if you're not teaching The Word Chapter for Chapter and verse for verse, you're not much of a Pastor. Good show, no substance. Paul speaks bold to those following all these examples. He's coming to straighten them out.
8 For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:
Paul has been given power from God to build up spiritually or to discipline. They've been given the choice. Paul doesn't want to be destructive, but things need to be fixed if their broken. He is giving them fair warning.
9 That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.
He doesn't want to be forced to write anymore negative letters like the ones before.
10 For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.
The ones that found his letters contemptible are those fakes. They love traditions more than Christ, false doctrines more than Truth. There is no change today either.
11 Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present.
They might think they can get away with things while Paul isn't there, but by letter or in person, Paul doesn't change his mind about The Truth. They're going to find out when he arrives.
12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
They talk among themselves and come up with a compromising conclusion. When you compromise a position, you must let go of something. God's Word is The Way in which we are to go, there's NO compromising in it. There is to many compromising in our churches today. Everyone calls themselves a Christian, but very few know His ways.
13 But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.
God's Word is how everything is measured. His Word is the manual for life. In it are the instructions on the correct way of doing things. Ignoring it causes everything in your life to either not work at all or break. That's what happens when you don't read and follow The instruction book.
14 For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ:
We shouldn't go beyond The Word, we shouldn't make up another way. Christians and I mean REAL Christians aren't tolerant of others in their beliefs against God. They want you to think you should be, but if you are you let evil creep in. You conform to a false beliefs. Be careful when they tell you to be tolerant of others beliefs if you want them to be tolerant of yours. Walk away from the junk! Make sure the standards are set in Christ Jesus, in The Truth. Question every human, never God.
15 Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men's labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,
God's Word is that measure we are to compare ourselves to. The only measure!
16 To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand.
Every Pastors goal should be in spreading The Word on its measure, not others compromises. Not to take over but to lead to The Truth of God. I'm a usher, helping you to the seat at the table of the marriage supper. Doing my best Chapter for Chapter and verse by verse. To God our Father be all the glory.
17 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
It's God's Word that is our standard, never a humans.
18 For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.
God gives us the abilities to do the things we do. He gives us the gifts and understanding. We can think we are above everyone, but God is The Only One above us all. He gives reward and punishment. He blesses or condemns. He gave us The Way, that we may be lead in the right direction. It's up to each of us to chose the path. We may think were light, but He's so bright you can't tell you're even lit. Focus on Him EVERYDAY and be blessed in His Word. It's Him that we look to be commended from.