Single lesson
2 Corinthians 10: Paul’s Apostolic Authority
2 Corinthians 10:1–18
In 2 Corinthians 10:1–18, Paul explains why his authority matters, how his struggle is different from ordinary human conflict, and why he will not praise himself. Children can learn to notice what the Lord values rather than what merely looks impressive.
Before you teach
Paul speaks directly to people who have judged him by outward appearance and criticised his presence and speech. In this passage, he appeals with the humility and gentleness of Christ, explains the purpose of his authority, and ends by saying that approval comes from the Lord, not from self-commendation.
Students will be able to explain that, in this passage, Paul says the Lord gave him authority to build up believers, and students will consider how giving honour to the Lord rather than to ourselves fits that teaching.
Welcome: What does real strength look like?
4 minAsk the group to name ways people often seem strong, such as appearance, loudness, or confident words. Then introduce Paul’s words about humility, gentleness, and the Lord’s approval. Explain that this passage asks us to look past what is in front of our face and think about what the Lord gives and approves.
2 Corinthians 10:1, 2 Corinthians 10:7, 2 Corinthians 10:18
Read and explain: Paul’s battle is not ordinary
7 minRead verses 1–6 aloud. Explain that Paul appeals with humility and gentleness, yet is ready to be bold when needed. He says his warfare is not according to the flesh. God gives power to pull down strongholds, answer ideas raised against the knowledge of God, and bring thoughts into obedience to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:1, 2 Corinthians 10:2, 2 Corinthians 10:3, 2 Corinthians 10:4, 2 Corinthians 10:5, 2 Corinthians 10:6
Discuss: Authority for building up
6 minRead verses 7–11. Help children notice that some people judged Paul by outward appearance and spoke against his presence and speech. Paul answers that he belongs to Christ and that the Lord gave him authority for building up, not for casting down. As an application, we can use words in ways that help people move towards obedience to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:7, 2 Corinthians 10:8, 2 Corinthians 10:9, 2 Corinthians 10:10, 2 Corinthians 10:11, 2 Corinthians 10:5
Make and respond: Boast in the Lord reminder card
8 minRead verses 12–18. Explain that Paul refuses to compare himself with people who commend themselves. He speaks about the work God appointed to him and says, ‘He who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.’ Children make a small reminder card with a short phrase from the passage and one realistic example of honouring the Lord.
2 Corinthians 10:12, 2 Corinthians 10:13, 2 Corinthians 10:14, 2 Corinthians 10:15, 2 Corinthians 10:16, 2 Corinthians 10:17, 2 Corinthians 10:18
Closing: What will we remember?
5 minReview the lesson with three statements for children to finish: Paul’s authority came from the Lord, it was for building up, and boasting belongs to the Lord. Invite one or two children to share their reminder card. Finish by linking humility, obedience to Christ, and the Lord’s approval.
2 Corinthians 10:5, 2 Corinthians 10:8, 2 Corinthians 10:17, 2 Corinthians 10:18
Questions to explore
According to verses 3–5, what kind of battle is Paul describing, and what does he want brought into obedience?
Look for the contrast with ‘the flesh’ and the line about thoughts being brought into obedience to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:3, 2 Corinthians 10:4, 2 Corinthians 10:5
Why does Paul say the Lord gave him authority?
Find the verse that says whether his authority is for building up or for casting down.
2 Corinthians 10:8
In verses 17–18, who should receive the praise, and whose commendation matters?
Notice the difference between boasting in the Lord and commending yourself.
2 Corinthians 10:17, 2 Corinthians 10:18
Make, think or respond
Boast in the Lord Reminder Card
What you’ll need
- paper or card
- pencils or textas
- Bible
- scissors
Try it together
- Read 2 Corinthians 10:17–18 together and choose a short phrase to copy, such as ‘boast in the Lord’.
- Fold or cut paper into a small card that can fit in a pocket or Bible.
- On one side, write the chosen phrase from the passage. On the other side, write or draw one situation where you can give the Lord the credit instead of praising yourself.
- Invite children to share their card with a partner and explain how it connects to Paul’s teaching.
- Take the card home as a reminder that Paul says approval comes from the Lord, not from self-commendation.
This activity connects with Paul’s words that boasting belongs to the Lord and that the Lord’s commendation matters more than self-praise.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, shorten the reading by focusing on verses 5, 8, 17 and 18, and let them draw their example instead of writing a full sentence.
- For stronger readers, ask them to compare verses 12 and 18 and explain in their own words why self-comparison and self-commendation are poor measures.
An optional closing prayer
You might pray: ‘Dear Lord, please help us obey Christ in our thoughts, use words that build others up, and give honour to you instead of praising ourselves. Amen.’
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
2 Corinthians 10
1 Now 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.
2 Yes, 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.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we don’t wage war according to the flesh;
4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds,
5 throwing 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,
6 and being in readiness to avenge all disobedience when your obedience is made full.
7 Do 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.
8 For 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,
9 that I may not seem as if I desire to terrify you by my letters.
10 For, “His letters”, they say, “are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech is despised.”
11 Let 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.
12 For 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.
13 But we will not boast beyond proper limits, but within the boundaries with which God appointed to us, which reach even to you.
14 For 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,
15 not 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,
16 so as to preach the Good News even to the parts beyond you, not to boast in what someone else has already done.
17 But “he who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.”
18 For it isn’t he who commends himself who is approved, but whom the Lord commends.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.