Study 2 Corinthians 10

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1. On what basis and in what attitude of mind does Paul exhort the believers in Corinth?

In view of the meekness and gentleness of Christ.

2. How does Paul appear when he is face to face with the Corinthians?

Lowly, humble, meek, timid.

3. How does Paul act toward them when he is not in their midst?

Boldly.

4. What does Paul request urgently of them?

That when he comes to them he will not be required to exercise his confident boldness toward some of the people in Corinth who were attempting to discredit and belittle him. Paul was asking them to not make it necessary for him to use his power against those who were disputing his spiritual authority, his apostleship from the Lord Jesus Christ.

5. Of what does Paul notify them, concerning his ability to execute judgment?

That although he is a flesh and blood human being he is able to fight with spiritual weapons.

6. What does Paul state concerning his "weapons"?

They are not physical. They are powerful through God to the overthrow of strongholds.

7. What does Paul overthrow by the power of God?

He overthrows reasonings and every other proud thing that is exalting itself against the knowledge of God.

8. What does Paul lead captive by the power of God?

He leads every thought into obedience to Christ.

9. What is Paul ready to do?

He is ready to punish all disobedience as soon as the obedience of the Corinthian saints has been fulfilled.
There is an important spiritual principle here that is kingdom-wide in scope. Although Paul may be referring specifically to the Corinthians, it is true also that when the Body of Christ has learned obedience the Lord Jesus will return and execute Divine judgment on those who are sinful and rebellious.
Judgment must begin in the household of God. Divine judgment does not begin in the world but among those who are closest to the Lord. God will not bring judgment on the wicked until the obedience of His own people has been established to God's satisfaction.

10. What does Paul explain to them that they are doing?

They are looking at things on the surface. They are judging according to appearances.

11. What does Paul request of those who trust that they belong to Christ?

To consider that as they belong to Christ so also does Paul, who brought the knowledge of Christ to them in the first place.

12. What is Paul boasting about now?

The authority that the Lord gave to him to build up the Corinthians, not to overthrow them.
It is apparent that some people were attempting to discredit and belittle Paul in the eyes of the saints in Corinth.

13. In what will Paul not be put to shame?

In his boasting about the power and the authority given him by the Lord Jesus Christ.

14. What did Paul wish to refute?

The idea that he was attempting to frighten the Corinthians by his letters; that when he came to them his presence would not be as forceful as his letters.

15. What were some people in Corinth saying about Paul?

"His letters are weighty and strong, but his physical presence is weak and he is not a good speaker."

16. How does Paul reply to the individual who is attempting to belittle him?

What he is in his letters while he is absent he will bring to pass in deed when he comes to Corinth.
Paul was warning them and preparing them because he intended to come and demonstrate to them that he indeed was full of the authority and power of the Lord Jesus.
The Apostles of the Lamb were not without power (Matthew 10:13 Matt 10:15).

17. With whom did Paul not dare to rank or compare himself?

With individuals who were approving themselves, writing their own letters of recommendation.

18. What does Paul say about people who measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves?

They are not wise.
A person who judges himself by his own standards either will be filled with pride and self-centeredness while he is congratulating himself over his own attainments, or else he will be depressed continually because he can never attain the standards he has set for himself.

19. On what basis did Paul judge his own works?

On the basis of the area of activity that God had marked out for him, an area that reached to the believers in Corinth. He did not boast concerning areas that had not been assigned to him by the Lord.

20. Was Paul reaching beyond his commission by issuing apostolic directions to the saints in Corinth?

No, because he had been the first to bring the Gospel of Christ to Corinth.

21. Of what was Paul not boasting when he was boasting about the saints in Corinth?

He was not boasting of an area beyond his commission or of work performed by other men.

22. What was Paul's hope?

As the faith of the Corinthians grew, Paul's influence and opportunities would be enlarged in their geographical area.

23. What was Paul's desire?

As the church in Corinth grew stronger he would be able to preach the Gospel in the cities and villages beyond Corinth.
It was Paul's rule that when one church was established and began to grow it would assist in the establishment of new churches. Since denominationalism was nonexistent there was no competition. All the churches of Christ constituted the one family of God.

24. In what did Paul not boast?

In another man's area of activity, in things prepared beforehand by another worker.

25. In what should the Christian boast?

In the Lord.

Read

Jeremiah 9:23-24.

27. What saint is shown to be approved?

Not the one who approves himself or herself but the one whom God approves.