Paul's Authority and Criticism
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Okay, we are gonna wrap up chapter 10 today, in part because it is not really full of vital insights but is more dedicated to Paul and the interpersonal problems he was having with some of his critics at Corinth. Last week we ended with verse 7 which says:
Trusting in Christ
2nd Corinthians 10.1-7
February 10th 2019
Meat
2Co 10:7 Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.
We talked about this verse last week and its essentially where Paul is saying, “we are Christs, as much as you are Christs, and as much as you look in your hearts, and not on the outward appearances of men, and see that you are Christian, so are we.” Remember, he is having issue with them accepting him in his apostleship. He goes on at verse 8 now, saying
8 For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed: 9 That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters. 10 For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. 11 Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present.
Boasting and Humility
12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. 13 But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you. 14 For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ: 15 Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men's labors; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly, 16 To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand. 17 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 18 For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.
Criticism and Authority
Alright, back to verse 8 where Paul says:
Having made the claim that he is Christs he now adds
8 For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:
In other words, “If I was to boast of even higher claims of authority than just being a Christian, that I have done a higher commission from him, and more authority, which the Lord has given us for edification and not for your destruction I would not be ashamed.
Why would he be? He was doing what he was called to do. It was the truth. There was no need to feign humility. Then he adds a difficult line, saying
9 That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.
He seems to be saying, I write this to you (verse 8) so that you know that I am not trying to terrify you or threaten you in my letters.
In other words, I DO have power and authority and the gifting from God to do what I do, so when you read my letters don’t think that I am writing words just to seem overtly bold to you, what I say is right in harmony with who I am, what I was called to do, and what I am capable of doing and being. I am not threatening more than I can perform. I have it in my power to execute all that I have threatened in letters.
He continues and says:
10 For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.
This was a direct criticism Paul was addressing that his critics had for him. He was overly powerful and even boastful in the things he writes to us without an ability to back them up,; again . . . say they, his
Paul and the Criticism of Appearance
letters are weighty and powerful but his bodily presence is weak and his speech is actually contemptable. We have a VERY similar situation in our day in terms of the criticism. It occurs through the loud, brash, bold arrogant letters people write on social media, but when they come out from behind the screen they are cowardly. I’ll never forget when I first got in ministry the internet was relatively new and burgeoning and I had this guy who was ripping me apart on Instant Messenger. He was an active LDS member and boy could he throw down – even to the point of challenging me to a modern day duel. I was in California and he was writing from Utah. When I started working in Utah full time and engaging with the community I was at an event and happen to be talking with a group of people and one of them introduced this little tiny teenager. I shook his hand and he looked terrified and someone casually added: “He’s known as TheSwordofLaban on line.” And it dawned on me and I stared him down as he literally melted into the carpet. This is what they are accusing Paul of at the Church of Corinth. He affirms this here saying:
10 For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.
His letter probably refers to the first Epistle to the Church where he threw down on them for some issues and it appears that this got under the skin of some of the people there.
Paul's Letters and the Church of Corinth
“For his letters, “Say they . . .” This should probably read, “says he” as young’s Literal Translations reads: “says one” So Paul appears to be referring to some one person who had uttered the words– perhaps some one who was the principal leader of the faction opposed to Paul. In any case, this one says that Pauls words are “weighty and powerful.” Tindal translated this as, "sore and strong." The Greek is, "heavy and strong," and the sense is, that his letters were energetic and powerful, which even his enemies had to admit.
We recall that even the Apostle Peter wrote the following of Paul, saying
2Pe 3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
And then he adds:
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
Certainly, Paul was the one who brings the logic and fire to the Gospel once delivered to the Saints, and he is not ashamed of it. In fact, without Paul we would have very little idea of how the Good New applies to us as Gentiles, and would find ourselves trying to apply the words of Jesus to His apostles and His own to ourselves – which a number of people still do anyway while pretty much ignoring Paul all together.
Criticism of Paul's Physical Appearance
So, admitting that his letters are powerful, they also add “But his bodily presence (his personal appearance) is weak. It’s a Greek term used in scripture to describe people sick, feeble, with disease and even imbeciles. It is a really mean and unfair observation and comes from the hearts of those who do, in fact, judge on appearance. This is something human beings naturally do, but Jesus was clear in teaching that it ought to be avoided, and that we should judge righteous judgment.
I do not think it was by mistake that the Lord and King and Savior of all was without beauty and I also do not think it is by mistake that some religions that focus on the outward appearance of people perpetuate an All American Quarterback Jesus to their followers. To see the real deal would hit them right in their dark hearts. In any case, I think Pauls attackers were being mean and petty and doing all they could to lower him down in the eyes of others – because He was so darn smart and logical. Chrysostom says that Paul’s stature was low, his body crooked, and his head bald. Lucian, in his Philopatris, says of him, Corpore erat parvo, contracto, incurvo, tricubitali–pobably an exaggerated description, perhaps a caricature, to denote one very diminutive, and having no advantages of personal appearance. According to Nicephorus, a sixteenth century writer said Paul "was a little man, crooked, and almost bent like
Paul's Physical Appearance and Speech
Paul's appearance was notably described as having a pale countenance, a bald head, and a long, thick beard interspersed with gray hairs. In the eyes of those in Corinth, his physical presence was less than impressive, and his speech was labeled as contemptible. Various conjectures have arisen about this: some suggest he had a speech impediment, while others believe his rhetorical skills were inferior to the best Greek Orators. Despite this, Paul chose to rely on truth and logic over oratory skills, suggesting that real victory came from speaking truthfully rather than impressively.
Paul emphasizes this point when he addresses his critics directly:
11 Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present.
He insists that there is no discrepancy between his words and deeds, no matter how others perceive him. His focus remains on the consistency of his actions and the power of divine truth over eloquence or physical presence.
The Folly of Self-Comparison
12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
Paul critiques those who compare themselves and boast of their attainments, pointing out the folly of self-measurement and comparison. He refuses to boast of accomplishments beyond his own evangelical labor, rejecting the credit for works that weren't his own. This emphasizes that the real measure of success in ministry comes from God's distribution of fields of labor rather than human boasting.
Paul's Approach to Boasting
13 But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.
Paul maintains that he will only boast of what God has enabled him to achieve through his evangelical efforts. Unlike others who may have taken credit for work they did not do, he insists on focusing only on his personal exertions and what God has apportioned to him. This approach distinguishes him from others and underscores his commitment to authenticity and humility in his ministry.
Paul's Ministry and His Boundaries
And he adds:
“A measure to reach even unto you.”
Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles and therefore the whole country of Greece. He was willing to reach and stretch out to all of them, not as an intruder but within the rights of his call. He adds:
14 But we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ:
In other words, we have not tried to reach beyond the proper limits assigned us. We have not endeavored to enlarge or to stretch the line which limited us but have kept honestly within the proper limits.
“As though we reached not unto you. For we are come as far as to you”
The meaning seems to be, “Greece WAS in our bounds and we HAVE reached as far as to you.”
Boasting and Enlargement
Verse 15:
15 Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men's labors; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,
The false teachers came after Paul established the church there at Corinth and “entered into his labors.” Paul seems to sort of mock them a bit by saying that that is not what they do. Instead, or “But having hope, when your faith is increased he says, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly."
A mouthful in the King James but he seems to mean:
“Our boasting, therefore, is not unlimited, nor does it extend to the labors of others; but our hope is that, as your faith grows, our influence among you may be very greatly increased– though still confined to our sphere or rule or canon.” In other words, when you become so strong as not to need my presence and my constant care, “we shall be enlarged.” Or perhaps better, “we will then boast in you!”
There is however, the chance that what he is saying is, once you have matured in the faith (which is our hope) our measure (or the distances that we will go in sharing the Word) will extend beyond the borders and boundaries of Corinth and to an even wider field of labor. He had no intention of sitting down in ease, as the false teachers in Corinth seem disposed to have done. I think that this is the better translation because of the next verse where he adds:
16 To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand.
What regions Paul refers to here is only a conjecture, but it seems he COULD be speaking of Italy and Spain. Romans 15:24 and 28 tells us that Paul planned on visiting Spain, and he may have wished the Corinthians would have helped him get there so it could be that some of this talk is speaking to this plan and his desires as soon as the eastern churches were free to let him go. Paul adds:
“and not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand.”
We are to preach the Gospel to outer regions but not boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand. I think this means that while he intended to go beyond the borders currently in place they sought to go beyond them but not tread on anyone else's work or area that has become available to them.
Glory in the Lord
Sometimes we can only guess what he means – and that is what all the scholars and commentators do – make educated guesses – which is why so many of them differ on so many points. But now Paul adds a line that is relatively clear, saying:
17 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
In other words, whatever may be the occasion of his boasting, whether it was in planting churches or in watering them, or bringing many souls to the faith – no matter his purposes, plans, toils, or/and success, Paul admits that if he was going to glory (which he did NOT prohibit) it would be in the Lord.
In the previous part of the chapter there had been some severe irony. He closes the chapter with the utmost seriousness and solemnity of manner, in order to show that on his part he was not disposed to boasting in his own attainments and he takes the time to return to clarity and admonish.
The Lesson of Boasting
His readers not to boast of theirs. If they had anything valuable, they should regard the Lord as the Author of it. It could be that Paul, ever the scriptorian, had Jeremiah 9:23-24 in mind when he was positing this. That passage says, as you know:
"Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth."
Human boasting is something that as I have grown in the faith have by the Spirit the emptiness of it when we really think about it. After all, ANYTHING we do in life is made possible because . . . we were given life in the first place; and then once given life, were allowed to live long enough to accomplish what we accomplish with the talents and time and resources made available to us – including education and experiences. Paul (and Jeremiah) appear to have understood where the focus ought to lie when it came to accomplishments – on the Lord.
Wisdom from Ecclesiastes
The writer of Ecclesiastes admits,
Ecclesiastes 9:11 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.
No boasting – unless it is in the Lord. And it was a favorite sentiment of Paul as back in 1st Corinthians he wrote:
1:31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
Unfortunately, there are few things less common in this world than for men to boast or glory in the Lord but instead boast and glory in themselves forgetting that we have such a Lord – one so glorious, merciful, powerful, and worthy of our love, who has given us life, and all things that have to do with it – of His own freewill and choice. That is worth boasting about.
Paul concludes with
18 For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.
Paul could have known the Proverb that says,
“Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.” (proverbs 27:2)
Let yourself be praised by others but refrain from boasting of yourself. The only commendations Paul suggests anyone needs are the commendations of the Lord.
Paul's Defense of Apostleship
Let’s move into chapter 11 as it is a continuation of chapter 10 and Paul’s topic of defending His apostleship before the believer at Corinth. However, in chapter 11, Paul unleashes some real gems of inspiration on us while he is proving his character as an apostle. Because of this I am prevented from entering into chapter 11 expositionally because by the time we get to verse 3 we would be wrapped up in a thirty minute discussion – which we don’t have.
Gems of Inspiration
So, lets read through chapter 11 together in preparation to hit it expositionally or verse by verse next week. Listen to some of the theological gems that come forward in these verses though:
2nd Corinthians 11:1 Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.
2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
5 For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.
6 But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.
7 Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?
8 I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.
9 And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking.
Challenges of Ministry
To me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.
10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia. 11 Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth. 12 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
Boasting and Suffering
16 I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little. 17 That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting. 18 Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also. 19 For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise. 20 For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face. 21 I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also.
Identity and Hardships
22 Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. 23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? 30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. 31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.
32 In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me: 33 And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.
Next week – chapter 11.
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