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2
Corinthians Chapter Ten
I.
Content of the Chapter
The Narrative of the
Minister
A. His warfare (v.1-6):
1. The attitude of the warfare ---- lowly, meek
and gentle and yet bold in war (v.1-2);
2. The weapons of the
warfare ---- not carnal (v.3-4);
3. The goal of the warfare ---- the obedience of Christ (v.5-6);
B. His authority (v.7-11):
1. The origin of the authority ---- Christ
(v.7);
2. The purpose of the authority ----
edification (v.8);
3. The proof of the authority ---- not bodily presence, but words and deeds (v.9-11);
C. His sphere (v.12-18):
1. The reason for the sphere ---- not measure oneself by oneself (v.12-13);
2. The enlargement of the sphere ----through
the preachment of the gospel of Christ (v.14
3. The approval of the sphere ---- not boast in another man's
sphere of accomplishment, but is commended
by the Lord (v.16b-18);
II.
Verse by Verse Commentary
2Cor. 10:1 “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.”
YLT: “And I, Paul, myself, do call upon you -- through the
meekness and gentleness of the Christ -- who in presence, indeed humble among
you, and being absent, have courage toward you,”
Meaning of Words: “lowly”: humble, cast
down; “bold”: have confidence, exercise courage; “meekness”: gentleness;
“gentleness”: suitableness, mildness, clemency;
Literal
Meaning: “I, Paul, who in presence am
lowly among you”, “in presence”, it
was during the period of the one year and a half when Paul firstly went to
“But
being absent am bold toward you”, “being absent”: it was when the false teachers invaded
the church in
“Be bold toward you”, it was because believers in
“Now … Myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness
of Christ--”, “now”: after the
sorrow and repentance of believers in Corinth on account of the severe letter
of Paul (see 7:8-9); “the
meekness and gentleness of Christ”:
the attitude of Christ toward those who are of Him; “meekness”: be soft and gentle; “gentleness”: be mild and clement;
This verse indicates that Paul treats believers in
1) The period from sinners to believers ----
encourage them with a lowly attitude;
2) The period when they diverge from the truth
---- exhort them with a bold attitude;
3) The period when they have repented and
turned back to the truth ---- encourage with the meekness and gentleness of
Christ;
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Humbleness is not cowardice. He who is
really humble in spirit can often be bold in the Lord’s truth.
2) If we have really a humble heart, we can
obtain help from any brother or sister in the church. Even though it is a
common brother that speaks in the church and his word is flat, once we have
touched a word from God, we will profit a lot.
3) Boldness does not need violent temper nor
makes one devoid of self-control. Boldness is holding back nothing of what is
profitable (see Acts 20:20).
4) Boldness is speaking with boldness for the
truth of God and not varying one’s attitude because of the environment. Many
Christians may dare to rebuke the faults of others but dare not to let others
know the sins of their children or family members and yet conceal them.
However, those who have committed sins have no chances to confess their sins
finally. It is the fleshly love that destroys them.
5) Humbleness is one’s inner character.
Meekness and gentleness are the external morality. He who is humble can be meek
and gentle. And he who is meek and gentle must be humble.
6) Meekness is being able to suffer the harm of
others. And peace is not invading or harming others. A meek and gentle
character may often cause the misunderstanding of others, especially
unbelievers, who may think Christians are cowardly or timid. In fact, the true
meekness and gentleness of Christ can only be manifested in those who are
strong in spirit ---- keep patient in injustice and humiliation without revenge
or enmity.
2Cor. 10:2 “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.”
YLT: “and I beseech , that, being present, I may not have
courage, with the confidence with which I reckon to be bold against certain
reckoning us as walking according to the flesh;”
Meaning of Words: “walk”: go, live;
Literal
Meaning: “against
some, who think of us as if we
walked according to the flesh”, “some”: those who
attack Paul by criticism; “walked according to the flesh”, there are two meanings: 1) walk in the physical
body as the common people (see v.3); 2) walk according to the evil flesh and
what the evil thoughts willed to do (see Eph. 2:3).
They might criticize that Paul was a common man and needed to keep his
life by making tent (see Acts 18:3). Therefore, he was not a professional
minister (apostle). His words had little spiritual power. They might also
vilify Paul for his contemptible speech (see v.10), which is carnal and of no
spiritual capacity.
“With that confidence by which I intend to be bold”, Paul thought they were false apostles and
the ministers of Satan (see 11:13-15). Therefore, they had to be bold to them
as to the enemy.
“But I
beg you that when I am present I may not be bold”, Paul begged believers in
Here, we can infer that Paul will soon visit
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Christians who are of the flesh can not
distinguish the true spiritual ones and often criticize those who are really
spiritual. They are carnal themselves and yet condemn others.
2) In the spiritual warfare, the spirit of the
apostle Paul is “bold”. Yes, if our spirit is timid or nervous, when we meet
some difficulties, we will surrender or compromise and can not keep firm.
2Cor. 10:3 “For though we walk in the
flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.”
YLT: “for walking in the flesh, not according to the flesh do
we war,”
Literal
Meaning: “for though we walk in the
flesh”, here, “flesh” does not mean corruption, but means
that we Christians live in the physical body and are restricted by the flesh
and live as the common people.
“We do not war according to the flesh.” “War”: spiritual warfare. The object of
our warfare is not those who are of the flesh, but the spiritual hosts of
wickedness in the heavenly places behind men (see Eph. 6:12), namely, Satan and
its followers. Therefore we do not war according to the flesh.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Believers can not rely on the means of men
of the flesh in the world in spiritual battles or the dealing with things of
God.
2) The first enemy that believers should deal
with in the spiritual battle is the flesh of oneself. Of course, he can by no
means rely on his flesh (see
2Cor. 10:4 “For the weapons of our
warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,”
YLT: “for the weapons of our warfare not fleshly, but
powerful to God for bringing down of strongholds,”
Literal
Meaning: “for the weapons of our
warfare are not carnal”, “the weapons of our warfare”, the weapons through which the enemy is
defeated; the object of our warfare is the whole spiritual system (see v.3 the
commentary). Therefore, the weapons that we should use should be of the spirit,
not of the flesh.
“But mighty in God”,
the power of our warfare is not of us, but of the spirit of God (Zech. 4:6).
“For pulling down strongholds”, “strongholds”: the fortress of Satan, which is
used to hinder its captives from being recaptured by God. The chief scheme of
Satan’s defense is putting some self-exalted or disobedient thoughts into men’s
mind (see v.5) so that men will be overcome by stubbornness (see Rom. 11:7),
which is rather difficult to be pulled down. Therefore, it is called
“strongholds” in this verse.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) He who is saved is a warrior of Christ.
However, our warfare is not physical but spiritual. We do not war against those
who live in the physical bodies, but against spiritual of wickedness in the
heavenlies (Eph. 6:12). Therefore, we shall not war according to the power of
flesh, but “be mighty in God”.
2) If we have not been totally delivered from
the “flesh” in spiritual warfare, once we have slightly touched the flesh, we
will be stirred up and thus have no spiritual “power” to overcome.
3) Satan has built many strongholds in man’s heart.
Many times we are not touched by the Lord’s words, finding that there are many
reasons defending us or thinking that the words are too plain to excite any
interest, it proves that there are strongholds in us.
4) If we want to pull down the strongholds of
Satan, we should not rely on the products of man’s thoughts and mind, but on
the mighty weapons of God’ power, namely the prayers before God, the words in
the Scriptures and the power of the Spirit.
5) The negative purpose of spiritual warfare is
“pulling down the strongholds”. If the object or goal of our warfare is not
fixed, we may fight against each other, not the deceitful enemy.
2Cor. 10:5 “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,”
YLT: “reasonings bringing down, and every high thing lifted
up against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to
the obedience of the Christ,”
Meaning of Words: “arguments”: computation,
thought, imagination, reasoning; “high thing”:
an elevated place, barrier; “thought”: device, mind, purpose;
Literal
Meaning: “casting down arguments and
every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God”, the most efficacious
way of making men against
the knowledge of God that Satan deeply
knows is to instill various devices or arguments and every high thing that exalts oneself into men’s mind,
thus forming many strongholds (see v.4).
“Bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of
Christ”, “bringing every thought into
captivity”, it shows that
Satan is making the thoughts of believers in
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Knowledge puffs up (1Cor. 8:1). The
tradition and philosophy of men and many preconceived ideas have often become
the biggest barrier of the knowledge of God. The obedience of man’s thoughts is
the first step of man’s knowledge of God.
2) The “arguments” in one’s “thought” and the pride in the flesh
---- “every
high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God” are the “strongholds” of Satan in men
(v.4), which hinder men from obedience of Christ and are the enemy of Christ.
3) “Arguments” refer to the
different reasons in us. Once we have overcome a reason, another reason appears
and makes us feel difficult to receive God. Those reasons are seemingly
important, but they cannot be counted as reasons. Once we have seen through the
schemes of Satan, all the reasons will vanish as if by evaporating.
4) “Arguments” can also be translated as
“imaginations”. Satan often imposes an illusion or imagination on man. If one
does not refuse it, it will be his own thought. Many sins or mistakes in the
life of Christians originate from imaginations.
5) Many Christians know that they should not
have any filthy thought or any thought that loves the world in secret. However,
they neither know many other thoughts also hinder them from obeying Christ, nor
how to control their thoughts. Therefore, there are many disordered and
wandering thoughts.
6) “Every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge
of God”, it is our pride
and prejudice ---- we are so pride that we look down upon everything and cannot
be subject to anything. It is the old Adam that is behind such thoughts ----
the old man and self. Therefore, the best way of dealing with it is taking up
the cross and denying one’s self (see Matt. 16:24).
7) Man’s mind is the object for which God wars
against the devil. He who occupies more is the one who overcomes. In man’s
mind, there are the strongholds of Satan (see v.4), namely, the thoughts of
disobedience of God. We can say that how much one has been saved is decided by
how many of his thoughts are recaptured by God.
8) The scheme of Satan is making men forsake
Christ and disobey Christ. We who war for the Lord should “bring every thought into
captivity to the obedience of Christ”.
However, have we, the warriors, firstly turned to and obeyed Christ?
9) The positive purpose of spiritual warfare is
bringing every “thought” into captivity to “the obedience of Christ”. If we do
not know we war for Christ but war aimlessly, we only combat as beating the air
and get no spiritual value.
10) Christ lives a life of warfare on the earth.
The purpose of warfare is to bring everyone into captivity to the obedience of
Christ. Therefore, in
order to win such a war, we shall obey Christ in everything in our own life.
11) What Paul opposes is the thoughts of
believers in
2Cor. 10:6 “and being ready to punish
all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.”
YLT: “and being in readiness to avenge every disobedience, whenever
your obedience may be fulfilled.”
Literal
Meaning: “and being ready”, it indicates that Paul has made
up his mind to take disciplinary actions.
“When your obedience is fulfilled”, “your”:
that of believers in
“To punish all disobedience”, “all disobedience”:
the false apostles and some believers in
Paul deeply knew that if believers in
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Our obedience makes the Lord’s dealing with
the disobedience of others reasonable. Are we willing to break our hearts and
deny ourselves but let the Lord overcome?
2) If brothers and sisters in the church are
rather obedient, the gospel will be more powerfully preached so that many
unbelievers will also obey Christ.
2Cor. 10:7 “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.”
YLT: “The things in presence do ye see? if any one hath
trusted in himself to be Christ's, this let him reckon again from himself, that
according as he is Christ's, so also we Christ's;”
Literal
Meaning: “do you look at things
according to the outward appearance?” It means that you see the outward appearance
without deeper considerations.
“If anyone is convinced in himself that he is Christ's,
let him again consider this in himself”, “if anyone”, it may refer to the ordinary men or
the opponents of Paul, namely, the false apostles who deceived believers in
“Be Christ’s”, it indicates that: 1) he
obeys Christ (see v.5) and keeps the commandments of Christ; 2) he has the
morality and virtues of Christ (see v.1); 3) he keeps his position and regards
the preachment of the gospel of Christ as his work (see v.14).
“Let him again consider this in himself”, it shows that anyone who is convinced in himself that he is
Christ's should examine
himself whether he is “Christ’s”.
“That just as he is Christ's, even so we are Christ's”, Paul means that at least he and his
opponents are equal ---- “be Christ’s”. If it is true, everything will be easy,
for he who is Christ’s must accept other ones who are also Christ’s, according
as the Christ also has received him (see
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) If men can only look at things or judge “according to the outward appearance”, they may often draw wrong conclusions.
Therefore, we should always “consider again” and discern in the light of the Lord
so as to avoid mistakes.
2) Many people often see man according to his
outward appearance. However, what is really important is not his appearance,
but whether he is of Christ.
3) Many people are convinced that they are
Christ's and yet lack the mind, views, works and image of Christ. If one
confesses with his mouth Christ as Lord and does not hearken to the words of
Christ in his heart, let him again consider and awake soon so as not to be
chastened by the Lord.
4) Everyone, by nature, desires to prevail.
When a man emphasizes that “he is Christ’s”, he often has the exclusive inclination and has deprived other
Christians of their rights, suggesting that others are not Christ’s. Likewise,
if a church declares that they are “Christ’s”, they may also unconsciously
regard other Christians as strangers.
2Cor. 10:8 “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--”
YLT: “for even if also anything more abundantly I shall boast
concerning our authority, that the Lord gave us for building up, and not for
casting you down, I shall not be ashamed;”
Meaning of Words: “authority”: power, right,
liberty, strength; “edification”: building, confirmation; “destruction”: pull down, demolition;
Literal
Meaning: “our authority, which the Lord gave us”, the Lord Himself
is the origin of all spiritual authority.
“For edification”,
authority is applied to rule others according to the sight of the flesh.
However, the Lord gives the spiritual authority to His servants to edify the
believers. For this sake, when the Lord’s workers exercise the spiritual
authority in the church, believers will mostly feel that their words are
weighty and powerful (see v.10), just like when the Lord taught on the earth
---- the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught
them as one having authority, and not as the scribes (see Matt. 7:29).
“And not for your
destruction”, it is not going to
destroy believers or the church. Therefore, the Lord’s workers would rather not
take disciplinary actions by the authority at will and treat believers severely
(see 13:10; 1Cor. 4:21) if they do not have to.
“For even if I should boast somewhat more about”, “boast somewhat more about”, there are two aspects of meaning: 1)
boast that he has the authority; 2) boast that he does not misapply the
authority; according to the context, it more relates to the latter one, which
indicates that he always uses the authority much carefully and can even boast
of it.
“I shall not be ashamed--”, it shows that he believes that his attitude
of his using authority is totally right. Even though he is forced to defend the
authority or he boasts about it, he still feels that he can see the Lord with
boldness in a conscience without offence.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) He who really has authority shall in no wise
use the authority flippantly. Even though he is despised or slandered by
others, he is unwilling to use the authority lest he should destroy others.
2) Paul has spiritual authority, which is
rather “weighty” and “powerful” (see v.10).
However, this authority is not for “destruction”, but for “edification”. Destruction
is negative, for its origin is hate. And edification is positive, for it is out
of love. The spiritual authority in the church should be applied in the
principle of providing love, not arrogance, or offense, or destruction.
3) Christians often have two extreme responses
to the authority ---- one is disobedience of the Lord’s authority, the other is
blind obedience of man’s authority. The former is openly resisting the Lord’s
authority, and the latter is blindly following man’s authority, thus replacing
the Lord with man. Therefore, the latter is also resisting the Lord’s
authority.
2Cor. 10:9 “lest I seem to terrify you
by letters.”
YLT: “that I may not seem as if I would terrify you through
the letters,”
Literal
Meaning: “terrify”: make men know that one has the authority
of destruction; it follows the previous verse, showing that he has two purposes
of writing: 1) not for destruction, but for edification (see v
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) “Terrify” and “publicize” are ways mostly
favored by the rulers of this world (see Acts. 25:13). However, they do not work
in the church and may arouse the antipathy of brothers or sisters.
2) Spiritual authority is given according to
the stature of life. The more one desires to use authority to terrify others,
the more he can not obtain the authority.
2Cor. 10:10 “"For his
letters," they say, "are weighty and powerful, but his bodily
presence is weak, and his speech contemptible."”
YLT: “`because the letters indeed -- saith one -- weighty and
strong, and the bodily presence weak, and the speech despicable.'”
Meaning of Words: “weighty”: burdensome,
grave, heavy; “powerful”: strong, forcible, mighty, valiant; “presence”: a
being near; “weak”: strengthless, feeble, impotent, sick; “contemptible”: least
esteemed, see at nought;
Literal
Meaning: “"for they say”, “they”: those who criticize and attack Paul;
“His letters," "are weighty and powerful”, the words of Paul in
his letters are rather powerful. “Weighty”: it refers to the tone; “powerful”:
it relates to the effect;
Here Paul quotes the words of his objectors,
and both of them have overtones in their words. As far as Paul’s objectors are
concerned, their purpose is to criticize the apostle Paul for his
incorrespondence between his words and actions. For Paul himself, he intends to
lead believers in
“But his bodily presence is weak”,
“bodily presence”:
it refers to Paul’s outward appearance, expression, style of conversation and
demeanor when he is present. At that time, the Greeks rather emphasized the
philosophers’ demeanor and speech in public speaking, through which they showed
whether they received the theory or not.
“Is weak”, it indicates that he has no
impressive or imposing appearance and yet even looks ill. It can be inferred
from the circumstantial evidence that the Gentile people in Lystra called
Barnabas Jupiter and Paul Mercury (see Acts 14:12, “Jupiter” means king of all
gods;
“Mercury” means messenger). Paul himself also mentioned that when he preached
the gospel in
“And his speech
contemptible"”, it means that he does not speak or preach in excellency of
word or wisdom or in persuasive words of wisdom (1Cor. 2:1, 4) and seems
common, shallow, vulgar and to be despised by others (see 1Cor. 4:10).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Paul does not have an amazing appearance
---- “his
bodily presence is weak and his speech
contemptible”. The measure of Paul is the capacity of Christ in him. This is
the testimony of Christ: He has no form nor lordliness nor beauty that we
should desire him. However, He has the infinite and eternal life in Him that
abides for ever (see Is. 53:2, 10).
2) The natural appearance of man is only
earthen vessel that is unworthy of any boasting. However, we may easily know
man according to his appearance. It is said in The Book of James that faith without deeds is dead (see James 2:17,
26). And an important deed that manifests one’s faith is “not with respect of
persons” (see James 2:1-10). Whether we have sound faith in the Lord can be
seen from how we treat others.
2Cor. 10:11 “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.”
YLT: “This one -- let him reckon thus: that such as we are in
word, through letters, being absent, such also, being present, in deed.”
Literal
Meaning: “let such a person consider
this”, “such a person”: he who criticizes and attacks Paul; “consider”: be reminded;
“That what we are in word by letters when we are absent”, “what we are in word”: just like what they have said ----
“weighty and powerful” (see v.10).
“Such we will also be in deed when we are present”, “we will also be in deed”, it means that his actions correspond with
his words. Though he can and dares do it, he still waits all the time, for he
is unwilling to use the authority if he does not have to (see v.8).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) It is a common problem many Christians have
that their actions do not consort with their words, especially many preachers
who do not do what they preach (see Matt. 23:3).
2) The religionists often say one thing and do
another ---- “Jacob’s voice, and Esau’s hands” (see Gen. 27:22).
2Cor. 10:12 “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.”
YLT: “For we do not make bold to rank or to compare ourselves
with certain of those commending themselves, but they, among themselves
measuring themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are not wise,”
Meaning of Words: “measure”: estimate, mete; “compare”:
judge, compare among (with); “wise”: perceptive, understand;
Literal
Meaning: “for we dare not class
ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves”, “dare not”, it is a sarcastic tone,
which means “it is unnecessary”; “commend themselves”: those false teachers
commended themselves or took the commendatory letters of others. Thus, they
called themselves apostles and deceived others and announced the vain words
everywhere (see 3:1 the commentary). “Class ourselves”: put together or mention together;
“But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing
themselves among themselves, are not wise”, “measuring themselves by themselves”: they measured themselves according to the
standard of themselves, so they regarded them totally qualified. However, no
matter what the conditions of others were, they were always unqualified. Such
subjective measuring method has no objective vision at all and is not wise.
“Measuring themselves by themselves”, if they measured
themselves by themselves, they could
definitely not see the difference.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The crisis of Christianity at present is
that there are many those who commend themselves. Someone calls himself the
prophet, the apostle or the only spokesman of God. Furthermore, someone even
calls himself another Christ, or the coming king or the incarnated god.
However, there are some so-called Christians who rather respect them and follow
them
2) In Christianity at present, there are also
some groups that are jointed together into a cooperate organization because of
the same agreement with one certain truth or method or spiritual giant. They
uphold their own banner and despise other Christians, thus forming the
exclusive small circle and dividing the
3) “But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and
comparing themselves among themselves”, it indicates that one sets himself as the standard
of Christians or sets his party as the standard of the church. Such condition
is unwise and narrow and makes many Christians lose the supposed wide vision.
4) Christians should not criticize others
according to himself, for only Christ is the center and standard.
5) It is fall in faith of self-exaltedness
(v.5), and self-confidence (v.7), and self-commendation, and self-measuring,
and self-comparison as well as self-approval (v.18). He who has any of such
conditions is unworthy of the Lord’s disciples.
2Cor. 10:13 “We, however, will not boast
beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us--a
sphere which especially includes you.”
YLT: “and we in regard to the unmeasured things will not
boast ourselves, but after the measure of the line that the God of measure did
appoint to us -- to reach even unto you;”
Meaning of Words: “beyond measure”:
far more exceeding; “measure”: mete, degree; “appoint”: part, share,
distribute; “include”: extend to, reach, arrive upon;
Literal
Meaning: “boast beyond measure”, to speak beyond what he should speak.
Paul will not boast beyond measure, or else he will have high thoughts above
what he should think (see Rom.12:3).
“But
within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us--a sphere which
especially includes you”, it is very
difficult to understand this verse in the original. Here, I try to explain it
point by point: 1) God is a God of exceeding capacity. He works according to
His greatness; 2) God appoints different works to everyone according to His
greatness (see Rom.12:3); 3) God distributes the works to everyone by different
measure; 4) as long as each one does his utmost according to what God has
appointed to him, he is the faithful servant of God; 5) Paul preaches the
gospel and serves God according to his own measure, he has also arrived at
Corinth.
Here, “the
limits of the sphere” that Paul mentions
do not mean “the sphere of domination” or “territory under his control” at all.
Apollos who is not in the fellow-worker group of Paul can go to
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Some workers of the Lord quote this
paragraph in the scriptures to establish his own boundary of works without
letting others’ trespass. They have misused the scriptures. It is decided by
the elders of the local churches whom they will receive to work among them. The
elders take the responsibility of trying the Lord’s workers (see Rev. 2:2).
2) John Wesley said, “The whole world is his
working place”. When God has given you sufficient faith and grace, wherever you
go, the sphere will not be the key matter. However, one thing that we have to
pay attention to is that the workers should respect the administration of the
local churches.
3) Besides, all the faithful servants of the
Lord are governed and sent by God. They have to seek God where to go and what
to do instead of working at will. We shall not go beyond the limits of the sphere
which God appointed us and interrupt the
services of others receiving from God.
4) Every servant of God has his appointed work
distributed by God. If every servant of God can keep his own position and walk
according to his measure appointed by God, there will be no division or sects.
5) Believers should know his own measure
appointed by God and be within the limits of his measure. Therefore, there will
be no greed or ambition to do what one should not do. He who has extended his
measure has trodden others, namely, “beat his fellow-bondmen” (see Matt.
24:49).
2Cor. 10:14 “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;”
YLT: “for not as not reaching to you do we stretch ourselves
overmuch, for even unto you did we come in the good news of the Christ,”
Literal
Meaning: “for we are not overextending
ourselves (as though our authority did not extend to you)”, according to the
context, the “extent” that Paul mentions here refers to his apostleship of the
Gentiles, which is appointed by God (see Gal. 2:8). He is entrusted and sent by
God to go to work in any sphere of the Gentiles (including
“For it was to you that we came with the gospel of Christ”, that the Corinthians have become
believers is actually the effect of Paul’s preachment of the gospel (see Acts
18:5-11).
2Cor. 10:15 “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,”
YLT: “not boasting of the things not measured, in other men's
labours, and having hope -- your faith increasing -- in you to be enlarged,
according to our line -- into abundance,”
Literal
Meaning: “not boasting of things
beyond measure, that is, in other men's labors”,
it has double meanings: 1) Paul emphasizes
his aim before the Lord ---- to announce the glad tidings, not where Christ has
been named, that he might not build upon another's foundation (Rom. 15:20). He
does not want to enjoy the fruits of the labor of others. 2) Paul here
satirizes the hostile false apostles ---- they came to
“But having hope, that as your faith is increased”, “hope”: refers to
believers in
“We shall be greatly enlarged by you in our sphere”, the burden and sphere of works that Paul
has received from God are fulfilling the apostleship among the Gentiles and
bearing more fruits of the gospel (see v.13-14). Therefore, the fruits that
believers in
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The “sphere” of ministry appointed by God is
not unchangeable, but can “be
greatly enlarged”. Here it reveals
a principle: God entrusts His ministry to everyone according to the measure of
the gift to him. The more grace we have enjoyed, the more service will be
entrusted to us. How much Christ we can manifest in service shall be decided by
how much Christ we have received. May we know Christ more so that we can
provide Christ more.
2) Believers can enjoy the same sphere through
working together with one accord. What is important is to receive the same
burden from God so that we can labor together with one soul (see Phil 1:27).
2Cor. 10:16 “to preach the gospel in the
regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's sphere of accomplishment.”
YLT: “in the beyond you to proclaim good news, not in
another's line in regard to the things made ready, to boast;”
Literal
Meaning: “to preach the gospel in the
regions beyond you”, “the
regions beyond you”, regions where the
Gentiles dwelt; Paul has a desire to preach the gospel to the whole world (see
“And not to boast in another man's sphere of accomplishment”, “another man's sphere of accomplishment”, it equals to “the labor of others” (see
v.15). Here, Paul just repeats the meaning of the first sentence in verse
fifteen.
2Cor. 10:17 “But "he who glories,
let him glory in the LORD."”
YLT: “and he who is boasting -- in the Lord let him boast;”
Literal
Meaning: in fact, if we have
got some accomplishments, or have borne some fruits in the preachment of the
gospel, it is the Lord that has done them, for we can do nothing without Him
(see John 15:5). We shall own all the contribution and glory to the Lord. This
is “he who glories, let him glory in the LORD.”
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) It is God who works in you both the willing
and the working according to good pleasure (Phil. 2:13). All is worked and
driven and fulfilled by Him alone. Therefore, all glory shall be given unto
Him.
2) When we have done all those things which we
are commanded, we shall not boast of ourselves, but say, "We are
unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do."' (Luke
17:10).
3) Yes, all the benefits of us are gained by
Christ. Just as a hymn goes like this, “I live by you (Christ), and I overcome
by you”. Should we not give all glory and blessing to Him!
2Cor. 10:18 “For not he who commends himself
is approved, but whom the Lord commends.”
YLT: “for not he who is commending himself is approved, but
he whom the Lord doth commend.”
Meaning of Words: “approve”: tried,
acceptable; “commend”: introduce, exhibit;
Literal
Meaning: “for … is
approved”, be approved by God; the purpose of service is to be
approved by God;
“Not he who commends himself … but
whom the Lord commends”, “commends himself”, according to the original, it is the same
with the word “approve” (see v.12), showing that he who “commends himself” is
“approving himself”.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Whether one who serves God is approved by
God is not decided by whether he commends himself but whether the Lord commends
him.
2) Man likes to boast of him as well as those
he adorns. Therefore, it is full of such adulatory words in the church. May the
children of God stop such things.
III.
Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons
The Spiritual
Warfare
A. The attitude of warfare ---- boldness
(v.1-2);
B. The accordance of warfare ---- not war according to the
flesh (v.3);
C. The weapons of warfare ---- not war according to the
flesh, but the spirit
(v.4);
D. The power of warfare ---- the power of God
(v.4b);
E. The object of warfare ---- the strongholds (v
1. Arguments (v
2. And every high thing that exalts itself against the
knowledge of God (v.5b);
F. The goal of warfare ---- bringing every thought into
captivity to the obedience of Christ
(v
That is Christ’s
A. Have the meekness and gentleness of Christ (v.1);
B. The obedience of Christ (v.5);
C. Have fellowship with those who are Christ’s
(v.7);
D. Have the authority given by the Lord (v.8);
E. Have the sphere measured by God (v.13);
F. Glory in the LORD
(v.17);
G. Whom the Lord commends (v.18);
The Knowledge of
Authority
A. The performance of authority ---- be ready
to punish all disobedience (v.6);
B. The qualification of authority ---- be Christ's (v.7);
C. The origin of authority ---- the Lord gives
the authority (v
D. The function of authority ---- to edify
believers, not to destroy them (v.8b);
E. The reward of authority ---- glory in the LORD (v
F. The manifestation of authority ---- the
mighty words and deeds (v.10-11);
Boast
A. He who boasts shall not be ashamed (v.9);
B. Not boast beyond measure over the limits of the sphere (v.13);
C. Not boast of
things beyond measure, that is, in other men's labors (v.15);
D. Not boast in another man's sphere of accomplishment (v.16);
E. He who glories, let him glory in the LORD (v.17);
F. He who boasts should be approved and commended by the Lord (v.18).
Sphere
A. The definition of sphere:
1. Not measure themselves
by themselves or compare themselves among themselves (v.12);
2. Be appointed by God (v.13);
B. The limits of sphere ---- not overextend oneself (v
C. The way of enlarging the sphere:
1. Through the gospel of Christ (v.14b, 16);
2. Through the increase of those who have
received the gospel (v.15);
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Mary Zhou