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Paul’s Apostolic Authority
In this part of 2 Corinthians, Paul speaks directly about authority, criticism, and the right way to measure Christian service. He answers by pointing to Christ, to God-given power, and to the Lord’s approval.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
Paul pleads with the Corinthians and addresses people who judge him by outward appearance and by what they say about his letters and presence. He explains how his authority works, what its purpose is, and why boasting by human comparison is misguided.
2 Corinthians 10:1–18Main takeaway
Paul teaches that Christian authority must serve Christ with God-given power, build people up, stay within God’s measure, and seek the Lord’s commendation.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Paul appeals with Christlike gentlenessPaul personally urges them by the humility and gentleness of Christ. Some think he is lowly in person but bold when absent, yet he says the struggle is not fought by fleshly means.
Explanation
Paul personally urges them by the humility and gentleness of Christ. Some think he is lowly in person but bold when absent, yet he says the struggle is not fought by fleshly means. God gives power to pull down arguments and bring thoughts into obedience to Christ.
02Authority should build upPaul is ready to deal with disobedience when obedience is complete. He also challenges people who judge only by appearances.
Explanation
Paul is ready to deal with disobedience when obedience is complete. He also challenges people who judge only by appearances. If others claim they belong to Christ, Paul says he does too. The Lord gave authority for building up, not for tearing down or simply frightening them.
03His actions will match his lettersSome said Paul’s letters were weighty and strong, but his bodily presence weak and his speech despised.
Explanation
Some said Paul’s letters were weighty and strong, but his bodily presence weak and his speech despised. Paul answers that what he and his companions are in word by letter when absent, they will also be in deed when present. His message and conduct belong together.
04The Lord sets the proper measurePaul refuses self-comparison with people who commend themselves. God appointed the boundaries of his work, and those boundaries reached the Corinthians with the Good News.
Explanation
Paul refuses self-comparison with people who commend themselves. God appointed the boundaries of his work, and those boundaries reached the Corinthians with the Good News. He hopes their growing faith will help wider gospel work. So boasting belongs in the Lord, because the Lord’s commendation is what counts.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01How does Paul describe the weapons and goal of his warfare?
Notice the contrast between fleshly warfare and God-given power, then see what happens to arguments and thoughts.
02What purpose does Paul give for the authority the Lord gave him?
Look for whether this authority is aimed at destroying the Corinthians or building them up.
03Why does Paul reject self-comparison and self-commendation?
Trace his contrast between human measuring and the Lord’s commendation.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
2 Corinthians 10:1–18
1Now I Paul, myself, entreat you by the humility and gentleness of Christ, I who in your presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you.
2Yes, I beg you that I may not, when present, show courage with the confidence with which I intend to be bold against some, who consider us to be walking according to the flesh.
3For though we walk in the flesh, we don’t wage war according to the flesh;
4for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds,
5throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
6and being in readiness to avenge all disobedience when your obedience is made full.
7Do you look at things only as they appear in front of your face? If anyone trusts in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again with himself, that even as he is Christ’s, so we also are Christ’s.
8For even if I boast somewhat abundantly concerning our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for casting you down, I will not be ashamed,
9that I may not seem as if I desire to terrify you by my letters.
10For, “His letters”, they say, “are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech is despised.”
11Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such are we also in deed when we are present.
12For we are not bold to number or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves. But they themselves, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are without understanding.
13But we will not boast beyond proper limits, but within the boundaries with which God appointed to us, which reach even to you.
14For we don’t stretch ourselves too much, as though we didn’t reach to you. For we came even as far as to you with the Good News of Christ,
15not boasting beyond proper limits in other men’s labors, but having hope that as your faith grows, we will be abundantly enlarged by you in our sphere of influence,
16so as to preach the Good News even to the parts beyond you, not to boast in what someone else has already done.
17But “he who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.”
18For it isn’t he who commends himself who is approved, but whom the Lord commends.