Home

Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE SECOND LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

CHAPTER TEN:
FLESHLY APPRAISAL OR GOD’S APPROVAL

[“Warfare”]
Key word: Appraise
Theme verse: 18

2 Corinthians 10:1-6 – War against Entrenched Attitudes

2CO10:1 Now I myself, Paul, continue to entreat you [Corinthians] through Christ-like meekness and kindness – [I am] lowly, indeed, in person among you, but when absent, bold toward you. 2CO10:2 I continue to beg that when present with [you] I may not be bold with that confidence I am considering – taking daring steps regarding some of those who evaluate us according to a fleshly walk. 243

243	Regarding some of those who evaluate us according to a fleshly walk: That is, There are those among you who judge us by a fleshly standard. Paul has in mind the ultra-superior ‘apostles’ among the Corinthian leadership who have been speaking evilly of Paul. Compare a similar attitude at 3 John 10.

2CO10:3 For though we do walk in the flesh, we do not do battle according to the flesh. 244

244

We do not do battle according to the flesh: Or, KNX: it is in no human strength that we fight our battles. Sadly, there is a warfare going on within the Church, largely for the protection of the flock against beliefs and attitudes which are brought in the Church by men spiritual corrupt of mind. Most of these people can be found involved in any political ambitions and the lowering of Bible standards.

2CO10:4 For the weapons of our battles are not fleshly, but powerful by The God for pulling down strongholds. 245

245

Pulling down strongholds: Or, NWT: strongly entrenched things; NEB: divinely potent to demolish strongholds; BAR: with divine power to demolish strongholds. That is, those ungodly attitudes and standards which infiltrate the church weakening moral fiber. Paul foretold such evil men. [1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 3:1-9; 4:3, 4] However, Paul’s weapons were not fleshly or worldly. He does not resort to political infightings, the spreading of rumors, and the undermining of congregational authority.

2CO10:5 [We are] pulling down deceitful attitudes 246 and every lofty thing elevated against the knowledge 247 of The God. [We are] bringing into captivity every thought to make it obedient to the Christ. 248

246

[We are] pulling down deceitful attitudes: Or, confuting arguments, theories, conceits, deceptive fantasy, sophistries, speculations, false arguments. Paul’s letters reveal his spiritual combat against several doctrinal systems that fought to take over the Christian Church. One of these were the Judaizing Gnostics – a combination of Judaism, Greek philosophy and Christian teachings. It came in several forms and in the end, after the death of the apostles, took over the Church. Jesus had predicted such in the Parable of the Sower. [Matthew 13:24-30] As long as such apostles as Paul and John were alive they acted as a restraint from the apostasy bursting full-bloom. [2 Thessalonians 2:3-9] Peter, John, and Jude also write of this problem. Just as Greek philosophy had corrupted Judaism, so it would Christianity, mainly in the forms of the Trinity, soul-immortality, and hell-fire torment. Other ongoing versions are those who would have Christianity become Jewish, including observance of the Law of Moses and ritual observances. Paul deals with all of these in Galatians, Colossians, and Philippians.

247

Every lofty thing elevated against the knowledge: Or, every barrier, any rampart, imposing defense. Wherever these men are found arrogance and jealous ambition are also found. Judging from Paul’s mention of “Hebrews” in 2 Corinthians 11:22 these were part of that Jewish influence of Acts 15:1, 2 that wanted the Law of Moses and ritual observances to be imposed upon the Church.

248

Bringing into captivity every thought to make it obedient to the Christ: Or, KNX: every mind to surrender to Christ’s service; BAR: capture every thought. True Christian thinking must be based on the Nazarene, and thereafter his inspired disciples. Any one who would introduce worldly thinking and moral standards has brought into the church a “thought” that must be fought against. Anyone who would introduce doctrines and beliefs based on Greek or Egyptian philosophies must be uprooted and “every thought” made obedient to Christ’s teachings. The battle rages today with as much intensity as it did two thousand years ago. There is no such thing as a free-flowing liberty in the Church to believe anything. See notes on Ephesians 4:14, 15.

2CO10:6 [We] stand ready to avenge every disobedience, 249 whenever your own obedience is accomplished.

249

[We] stand ready to avenge every disobedience: Or, punish, court-martial. These are strong and powerful words, for only the courageous elder can stand firm against thoughts not originating with the Nazarene. Those persons who refused to change their attitudes and beliefs were to be warned, and if no repentance followed, to be shunned. Compare notes on Romans 16:17 and Titus 3:10, 11.

2 Corinthians 10:7-12 – Value and Self-comparisons

2CO10:7 You [Corinthians] look at things according to their face value. 250 If anyone has self-assurance as belonging to Christ, 251 let him consider this himself, that just as he belongs to Christ, so do we also.

250

Look at things according to their face value: Or, outward appearance. It is a general human failing to judge others by outward appearances. In this case, the problem was amplified by certain men who were jealous of Paul. This is always manifest by derogatory talk about the object of jealousy. Often what ever the object of jealousy believes or stands for those who oppose will go in the opposite direction just for spite. Jesus faced the same thing from the Jewish hierarchy.

251	Self-assurance as belonging to Christ: Or, KNX: takes credit to himself for being the champion of Christ; BAR: is sure that he belongs to Christ, he had better take another look at himself.

2CO10:8 For even if I boast too much about our authority – which the Master gave me to build you up and not to tear you down – I am not ashamed – 2CO10:9 so that I should appear to want to frighten you through these epistles. 2CO10:10 Because, they say, “His epistles are certainly weighty and strong, 252 but his bodily presence is weak 253 and his discourse ought to be treated as utterly nothing.” 254

252

His epistles are certainly weighty and strong: Or, WMS: impressive and forceful. Word has gotten back to Paul – as things have a way of happening – that characterizes this jealous ambition among these Judaizing Christians. When someone cannot deal with the truth of an argument, the only thing left is a personal attack. Slander or gossip often begins with first a feigned compliment, to be followed by something negative.

253	His bodily presence is weak: Or, MOF: his personality is weak; GDS: his personal appearance is insignificant; BAR: no kind of presence when you meet him. Likely Paul was not physically charismatic and so first impressions were of a weak, even homely person.

254

His discourse ought to be treated as utterly nothing: Or, KJV: his speech contemptible; MOF: his delivery is beneath contempt; GDS: as a speaker he amounts to nothing; TAY: you never heard a worse preacher; BAR: as a speaker he is beneath contempt. Judging from the content of some of Paul’s discourses anyone would have to admit they were outstanding. Compare Acts 13 and 17. The latter sermon so famous it appears in bronze on a hill in Athens. Historians acknowledge Paul’s letters to be equal or superior to the best of the Greek and Latin writers. However, it is possible his actual presentation, or manner of speaking, was not charismatic. [Note how at least one listener fell asleep during one of Paul’s discourses. (Acts 20:7-12)] When a person speaks without fanfare and great flair only the content of his speech can hold an audience. On the other hand, a great orator can hold an audience and yet say nothing of lasting import.

2CO10:11 Let such a person consider this, that what sort [of persons] we are regarding the word in epistles when absent, such we will also be in deed when present among you. 255

255	We will also be in deed when present among you: That is, as his detractors confess regarding his letters, “weighty and strong.” Paul was no weakling or coward and he had not one fear in returning to Corinth. They should be the ones who tremble.

2CO10:12 For we are not daring to rank ourselves, or equate ourselves, with some who recommend themselves. 256 But they – in measuring themselves with their own standards, 257 and comparing themselves by a self-evaluation 258 – are without understanding.

256	Recommend themselves: That is, a mutual admiration society.

257	Measuring themselves with their own standards: It is the character flaw of such jealousy ambitious men to use their own self-righteous standards for others, and this turns and shifts as it suits them.

258

Comparing themselves by a self-evaluation: Or, PME: by comparisons within their own circle; TAY: measuring themselves against their own little ideas; NEB: to find in themselves their own standard of comparison. Paul writes in a similar vein at Galatians 6:3. [Proverbs 26:12] Self-righteousness may be defined as those who make their own rules for other people, while not observing these themselves. Those troublesome men of Acts 15:1, 2 were rule-makers and there would never be enough to satisfy themselves.

2 Corinthians 10:13-18 – God’s Recommendation

2CO10:13 We, however, will not boast as to things that cannot be measured, but according to the standard limits The God apportioned to us by measure 259 – to even reach as far as you [Corinthians].

259	The standard limits The God apportioned to us by measure: It is likely Paul now refers to his Gospel territory judging from the context.

2CO10:14 For we are not over-extending ourselves in reaching as far as you [Corinthians]. We were the first to reach as far as you with the Good News. 2CO10:15 Not boasting in the things beyond limits in the labor of others, but our hope is that as your faith continues to grow, our sphere among you may be greatly enlarged. 2CO10:16 So we may proclaim the Good News in regions beyond you [Corinthians] and not boast in another’s sphere of work. 2CO10:17 “But let the person boasting, boast in YHWH.” 260 [Jeremiah 9:24]

260

But let the person boasting, boast in YHWH: Paul quotes Jeremiah 9:24. In Jeremiah Yehowah encourages the one bragging or boasting to do so regarding spiritual comprehension and knowledge of God. [Jeremiah 9:23, 24] The Tetragram YHWH occurs in the Hebrew Text and the Greek here [KYRIO] suggests YHWH originally may have been in this location.

2CO10:18 Because, the person approved is not the one who recommends himself, but rather the one the Supreme Being recommends. 261

261

The one the Supreme Being recommends: Or, commend, approves; BAS: for the Master’s approval of a man is not dependent on his opinion of himself, but on the Master’s opinion. Consistent with the verse from Jeremiah 9:24, “the Lord” here [HO KYRIOS] is Yehowah. Compare the Nazarene’s principle at Luke 18:14. [Romans 2:29; 1 Corinthians 4:5]

Review Questions on Chapter Ten