Paul’s Apostolic Authority
In this section, Paul defends his role as...
In this section, Paul defends his role as an apostle.
These chapters present several issues due to a noticeable change in tone and style. Chapters 1–9 express joy from sinners reconciling with God and the Corinthians reconciling with Paul. However, from this point, Paul becomes defensive. These chapters contain harsh words, bitter accusations, passionate irony, and rebuke. The significant shift at 10:1 has led to various explanations:
These chapters might be a separate letter, possibly the “severe letter” sent earlier to Corinth (2:3–4; 7:8–9).
It could be that while most church members obeyed the call for reconciliation, a rebellious minority remained, and Paul addressed these four chapters to them.
More likely, a new situation arose after Titus reported restored harmony (7:5–16). In this case, some anti-Paul missionaries arrived in Corinth and started a strong campaign against the apostolic message of good news (see 11:4, 13–15). They claimed Paul was not a true apostle or even a true Christian (10:7) and that he had no right to bring the gospel message to Corinth, as it was their territory (10:15–16). They brought a foreign message (11:4) and had a domineering attitude. In short, they were doing Satan’s work (11:13–15). Paul, worried about this new situation, reasserts his apostolic authority and writes in a way he dislikes (11:1, 16–17; 12:1) by boasting about his weaknesses and trials. Paul’s apostolic authority is genuine and powerful, yet it is guided by the love shown by the crucified Jesus (10:1; 13:4–10).
In this section, Paul defends his role as an apostle.
These chapters present several issues due to a noticeable change in tone and style. Chapters 1–9 express joy from sinners reconciling with God and the Corinthians reconciling with Paul. However, from this point, Paul becomes defensive. These chapters contain harsh words, bitter accusations, passionate irony, and rebuke. The significant shift at 10:1 has led to various explanations:
These chapters might be a separate letter, possibly the “severe letter” sent earlier to Corinth (2:3–4; 7:8–9).
It could be that while most church members obeyed the call for reconciliation, a rebellious minority remained, and Paul addressed these four chapters to them.
More likely, a new situation arose after Titus reported restored harmony (7:5–16). In this case, some anti-Paul missionaries arrived in Corinth and started a strong campaign against the apostolic message of good news (see 11:4, 13–15). They claimed Paul was not a true apostle or even a true Christian (10:7) and that he had no right to bring the gospel message to Corinth, as it was their territory (10:15–16). They brought a foreign message (11:4) and had a domineering attitude. In short, they were doing Satan’s work (11:13–15). Paul, worried about this new situation, reasserts his apostolic authority and writes in a way he dislikes (11:1, 16–17; 12:1) by boasting about his weaknesses and trials. Paul’s apostolic authority is genuine and powerful, yet it is guided by the love shown by the crucified Jesus (10:1; 13:4–10).
Paul clearly states his intentions and sincerity by...
Paul clearly states his intentions and sincerity by defending himself against accusations of acting from human motives.
1Now by the mildness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am humble when face to face with you, but bold when away. 2I beg you that when I come I may not need to be as bold as I expect toward those who presume that we live according to the flesh.
A military metaphor strengthens Paul's argument that Paul's...
A military metaphor strengthens Paul's argument that Paul's weapons have divine power over spiritual strongholds (see 4:3–4).
3For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. 4The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the flesh. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5We demolish arguments and every presumption set 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, as soon as your obedience is complete.
The rival teachers claimed to represent Christ in...
The rival teachers claimed to represent Christ in a way that excluded Paul due to his perceived weakness. Paul explained that true authority is different from being a controlling leader. His authority aimed to strengthen God's people, not to harm them (see 13:10). However, he planned to address these rivals firmly when he visited Corinth (see 13:1).
7You are looking at outward appearances. If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should remind himself that we belong to Christ just as much as he does. 8For even if I boast somewhat excessively about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed.
9I do not want to seem to be trying to frighten you by my letters. 10For some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but his physical presence is unimpressive, and his speaking is of no account.” 11Such people should consider that what we are in our letters when absent, we will be in our actions when present.
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 show their ignorance.
Paul respected the limits God set for his...
Paul respected the limits God set for his missionary work, which included working with the Corinthians. He defends his honesty and authority, stating that when he first came to Corinth (Acts 18:1–17), he did so because God called him. Paul was determined not to enter another's area (see Romans 15:20), and he was the first to bring the good news about Jesus to Corinth. His recent opponents visited the church much later (2 Corinthians 11:4), so their claim to Corinth as their area was unfounded.
13We, however, will not boast beyond our limits, but only within the field of influence that God has assigned to us—a field that reaches even to you. 14We are not overstepping our bounds, as if we had not come to you. Indeed, we were the first to reach you with the gospel of Christ.
15Neither do we boast beyond our limits in the labors of others. But we hope that as your faith increases, our area of influence among you will greatly increase as well, 16so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. Then we will not be boasting in the work already done in another man’s territory.
Paul quotes Jeremiah 9:24 to show that the...
Paul quotes Jeremiah 9:24 to show that the Lord guides all missionaries. Boasting does not matter much. Success only matters when the Lord praises our service.
17Rather, “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”† 18For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.