Day 159 – Monday, August 11, 2025

One Year Journey Through the New Testament

2 Corinthians 10

Welcome to our journey through the New Testament!

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. 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. 

(2 Corinthians 10:1–6, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• Paul admits that he is stronger in his presence with the Corinthians when absent than when he is present with them. However, he promises to be bold if some do not stop questioning his spiritual life.
• Paul then discusses spiritual warfare. He compares our walk through the world with our war in the spirit. He said that our weapons of warfare are not carnal or physical, but are spiritual, mighty in God, and are effective.
• Paul says that Christians have authority over strongholds of Satan, over philosophy that assumes to be greater than God. The weapons of the spirit capture thoughts and punish disobedience. Obey God and live free.

Reality of Paul’s Authority

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. 

(2 Corinthians 10:7–11, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• Paul tells the Corinthians not to judge a book by its cover. Some say Paul is weak and his speech is not to be heeded. Paul reminds them of his apostleship and calling.
• He promises that he will not be weak when he comes to them, but will be full of power, authority, and judgment.

Limits of Paul’s 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. 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. 

(2 Corinthians 10:12–18, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• Paul refused to compare himself to other apostles or pastors. He judges his works by the assignment given to him by God—an apostle to the Gentiles.
• Paul is not reaching beyond his authority, but is ministering to exactly whom God had called him.
• Paul did not seek to praise another or to criticize another. Instead, he was willing to be judged by his own work under his own authority.
• Paul hopes to preach in regions even beyond Corinth, but not claim someone else’s work as his own.
• Paul then quotes Isaiah and Jeremiah in saying, “he who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” Let the Lord commend the righteous and obedient servant, not himself.

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All Scriptures from New King James Version unless otherwise noted.

Join us this afternoon at 5:00 pm for a discussion of this chapter live online. Live@5 with Dr. Greg Sloop can be found on Facebook on the Dr. Greg Sloop page or on the Kannapolis Church of God Facebook page or Youtube page. Another blog will be posted each weekday at 6:00 a.m.