2 Corinthians 10

2 Corinthians 10:1

Some reflections having been thrown on the apostle for the mildness of his conduct, as if it proceeded from fear, he here proceeds to assert his apostolical power and authority; cautioning his opponents, that they should not urge him to give too sensible demonstrations of it upon themselves. 2 Cor. X. 1, throughout.

2 CORINTHIANS X. 1.

I HAVE just now been expressing my confixvi. dence and joy in your church in general, as well as my affection to it; but I am sensible 2 Cor. there are some among you to whom I cannot x. 1 speak in such a manner; and with regard to such, I Paul myself, the very man whom they 2 Cor. X. 1. N O W I Paul myself beseech

give him occasion of exerting his authority :

have so often spoken of with contempt and defiance, injured as I am, do yet condescend to entreat you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, our condescending and compassionate Saviour, that meekness and gentleness which I have learned from his example, and desire to exercise towards the most unreasonable of my enemies ; even I, who [am] according to your representation, and with respect to my person, when present, humble among you, and despised for the meanness of my appearance, but being absent, am bold towards you, and use so much freedom and authority in my letters ; However I may be reflected upon, and even insulted on this account ; I beseech you, I say, as you love yourselves, and tender your own comfort and happiness, that I may not, when I am next present, be obliged by your continued irregularity to be bold, with that confidence on which truly I think to presume with respect to some, who account of us as persons walking in the flesh, and affect at least to talk, though they have so little excuse for doing it, as if we governed ourselves by low and mercenary views. For we are conscious to ourselves, that though we do indeed walk in the flesh, though we inhabit mortal bodies, and are obliged in some respects to stoop to the care of them, and to do many things for their subsistence, which take up the time we could much more agreeably spend another way ; yet God knows, we do not manage that important war in which we are engaged, according to the flesh, by carnal methods, or with worldly and interested views. This you may easily perceive, by the manner in which we are armed ; for the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal : as we depend not on military force, so neither on beauty, stature, eloquence,

a When present, am humble among you.] Probably they had upbraided, and reflected upon him, in some such language as this ; but there was a sense in which he was indeed lowly among them, his presence probably having nothing majestic.

b Though we walk in the flesh, &c.] Mr. Radock explains this something differently, “Though we are not free from a

mixture of human infirmities, yet I do not exercise my apostolical power in a weak manner, as either fearing or flattering men ; but use such spiritual weapons, as Christian fortitude, zeal, freedom in speaking the truths of God, and courage in administering the censures of the church, which through Divine concurrence are very effectual.”

Since he could avenge all disobedience in a mirac

or philosophy, or in a word, on any thing which might recommend us to human regard; but though destitute of these, we are furnished with others much more valuable, by that Divine power, which would never exert itself for the secular advantage of persons, professing, as we do, to despise the world, and seek for something so much above it, if we were not sincere in our profession, and authorized by him to maintain it. Yes, my brethren, God hath armed us for our warfare, by the miraculous powers of his Holy Spirit; and they are mighty through God to the demolishing fortifications, prejudices, and difficulties, that like so many impregnable castles, lay in our way, and yet are battered down, and laid in ruins, by these our spiritual weapons. And thus we go on in our conquest; for we are continually casting down the fallacious and sophistical reasonings by which vain men are endeavouring to expose our doctrine to contempt, and every high thing which exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, all the proud imaginations which men have entertained of themselves with regard to their natural or moral excellencies, in consequence of which they neglect the gospel, and are indeed ready to live without God in the world. And thus we are enabled to bring every thought, every proud haughty notion, which men have entertained, into an humble and willing captivity to the obedience of Christ, the great Captain of our salvation. And as God is pleased thus to cause us to triumph in Christ, with regard to the opposition made by the professed enemies of the gospel, so let men regard us, as persons having it in readiness, by miraculous powers and penalties inflicted by them, to avenge all disobedience, to chastise and punish the obstinacy of those who under a Christian profession pretend to oppose us; now your obedience is fulfilled, and the sounder part of your church recovered to its due order and subjection.

Every thought into captivity.] The soul, seeing its fortifications demolished, submits to the conqueror; and then every thought, every reasoning, takes law from im. Nothing is admitted that contraicts the gospel; Christ being acknowledged as absolute master. The former clause shows how ready men are to fortify themselves against it, and to raise, as it were, one barrier behind another, to obstruct his entrance into the soul. Compare Rom. xv. 18, 19.

edged as absolute master. The former clause shows how ready men are to fortify themselves against it, and to raise, as it were, one barrier behind another, to obstruct his entrance into the soul. Compare Rom. xv. 18, 19.

and if there were need, would act with the spirit he had wrote.

This is indeed the case, and I beseech you to consider it as it is. Do you look at the outward appearance of things? Do you judge of a man by his person, or address, or by any one particular of his life? Surely you ought not to do it. If any man be confident in himself, that he is Christ’s, let him again bethink himself of this, which he will see evident reason to acknowledge, if he candidly and seriously examine, that as he [is] Christ’s, so we also [are] Christ’s; nor can any one produce more convincing proofs of Christ’s calling him to the ministry, and approving his discharge of it, than myself. For if I should boast something yet more, abundantly more than I have ever yet done, concerning our apostolical authority, which I am sensible the Lord hath given us for the edification of the church, and not for your destruction, or the injury of any particular person, I should not have any reason to be ashamed, having already used it in a manner agreeable to its design.

And this I say, that I may not seem as if I would by any means terrify you with my epistles, threatening more than I can perform; on the contrary, I might pretend to much more than I have done, and to execute, if need should require it, much greater severities in a way of miraculous punishment. And the hint is necessary; for I know there are some among you that would represent matters quite in a different light. [His] epistles, say they, [are] indeed weighty and strong, but [his] bodily presence [is] weak, and [his] speech despicable; for which indeed they have some excuse, as to my person, and the disadvantages attending my utterance. But let such an one, whoever he be, reckon upon this as a certain fact, that such as we are in word by our letters, when absent, such

d Miraculous punishment.] It is to be remembered it was before this time that the apostle had smitten Elymus with blindness; and it is highly probable from this text, and others of the like nature, that some other miracles of this awful kind had been wrought by him, though they are not recorded in scripture.

c Speech despicable.] Chrysostom, Ni-

cephorus, and Lucian, or rather the author of the Philopatris, relate of St. Paul, that his stature was low, his body crooked, and his head bald; which seem to be the infirmities here referred to. Some think he had also an impediment in his speech; but I do not recollect any ancient testimony that; though it is not improbable. Compare chap. xii. 7, and the note there.

For he again intimates, that he would come t

[shall we be] also when present, in action; our deeds will fully correspond to our words, and we shall do something to vindicate these pretences, if their speedy reformation do not prevent.

For we presume not to number, or to compare ourselves with some who recommend themselves in very high terms; but they thus measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, while they proudly overlook the greatly superior characters and furniture of others, are not wise, nor do they indeed take the most effectual measures to raise their own character; but on the contrary, in consequence of this, fall into many absurdities of behaviour, from which greater impartiality and modesty, and a better knowledge of men and things, would secure them. But we are always careful, that we glory not of a distinguished zeal for the gospel carrying us beyond [our] bounds, but only according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us under the character of Apostle of the Gentiles, a measure to come even unto you; and accordingly we have regularly and gradually advanced towards you, taking intermediate places in our way. For we do not extend ourselves excessively, as not regularly coming to you; like some who run abruptly from one church to another, leaving their work unfinished behind them, when they think they have discovered a place where they can meet with a more pleasant and agreeable reception. For, as I observed before, we are by a regular progress, come even unto you in the gospel of Christ, having faithfully preached in the other places that lay

Measuring themselves by themselves: [ἐκύβος ἐκύβος μιδρυθέν.] Dr. Whitby would render it, measuring themselves by one another; as if they compared themselves with their false apostles, and grew proud on the degree in which they resembled them in acuteness and eloquence, or other things on which those deceitful teachers valued themselves. But it is more natural to think, that the meaning is, “they looked continually on themselves, surveying their own great imaginary furniture, but not considering the vastly superior abilities of many others: and so formed a disproportionate opinion of

themselves.” And this is every where one of the greatest sources of pride. Bos has taken great pains to prove, that to measure oneself by oneself, is a phrase which expresses modesty, and making a right estimate of ourselves and others; and taking συνιωσιν not for a verb, but for the dative of a participle, would render it, we measure ourselves by ourselves, and compare ourselves with ourselves, not with the wise, that is, ironically, not with such wise men as these. But though this sense be ingeniously defended by that great critic, the other seems most natural.

He desired to preach the gospe in the regions beyond them.

in our way: Not like those, whom I have had so much reason to complain of, boasting unmeasurably, or in things beyond my proper measure, not intruding into churches planted by the labours of others, where we have no natural and proper call; but having an agreeable hope, [that] when your faith is increased, as we trust it will abundantly be, even by the experience of what has lately happened, we shall, according to our rule, and the constant maxim we lay down to ourselves, be magnified by you so as to abound yet more, that is, shall by your countenance and assistance, be enabled to keep on our courses beyond your country into Arcadia, and Lacedemon, or whithersoever else Providence may lead us. For this is greatly in our hearts, if God shall smile upon our purpose, to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, [and] not to boast in another man’s province, nor rule in things made ready to our hand; as some who are very solicitous about their own ease affect to do, and then pride themselves in sowing the ground which others have cleared. But after all, he that boasteth, whether it be of planting or watering churches, let him boast not in himself, but in the power and assistance of the Lord alone. Let every minister remember it is to Christ that he owes all his ability for his work, and all his success in it. For not he that commendeth himself with the greatest confidence, and in the most florid manner, is truly and justly approved; but he whom the Lord commendeth by the gifts of his Spirit, and by a blessing on his ministry. Let those therefore, who are so ready to applaud themselves

¶ In the regions beyond you.] It would certainly have been a great pleasure to the apostle to have gone on to Arcadia, and Lacedemon, and to have proselyted those to the gospel who had been so long celebrated, in the latter of these places, for their valour and magnanimity; and in the former, for their wit and poetry in those agreeable and rural retreats. But we do not read any thing in the New Testament, of planting Christian churches in these parts of the Peloponnesus.

¶ Another man’s province, &c.] The postle did indeed go to places already con-

verted, to confirm and establish his brethren in the faith; but this was chiefly where he had himself planted churches, though he might take some others in his way; which it would have been affectation and disrespect, rather than modesty to have avoided. But he did not boast in churches thus visited, as if he were the founder of them; as his opposers probably did, pouring contempt on St. Paul’s labours; as if they were hardly to be called Christian churches, which he had left, as they pretended, in so unformed and unfinished a state.

Reflections on the meekness which becomes ministers.

and each other, think of this, and learn to be more solicitous xvi. than they are, about approving their fidelity to their great Master, whether they be more or less regarded by their fellow servants.

IMPROVEMENT.

MAY the meekness and gentleness of Christ ever be remembered by all his servants, and especially by his ministers, to whom, both under their public and private characters it will be of so great importance to imitate it. Their calling is indeed high and holy; let their behaviour in it be so much the more humble. And let it be their great care, that while they walk in the flesh, they do not war after it. Still, though disarmed of that miraculous power with which the apostles were endowed, are the weapons of their warfare mighty. They have the scripture magazine ever at hand, from whence they may be furnished with them; and may humbly hope, that the Spirit of God will render them effectual to the pulling down strong holds, and abasing every proud imagination which exalteth itself against the obedience of God. May every thought of their own hearts be in the first place thus subdued, and brought into a sweet and willing captivity! So shall these their captives, thus conquered, prove as so many faithful soldiers to fight for him, against whom they once were foolishly rebelling. And may they succeed in this holy war, till the empire of our Divine Master become universal, and the happiness of mankind universal with it! To promote this, let us pray, that ministers may always remember, that whatever authority they have given them, is for edification, and not for destruction; and may learn from that moderation with which the apostle used his miraculous powers, in how gentle and candid a manner they should behave themselves in their far inferior stations; never making their preeminence in the church the instrument of their own resentment, or of any other sinful or selfish passion; but ever solicitous to subserve the interest of our great Lord in all, and desirous to keep up their own character and influence, chiefly for his sake. May they in no instance boast beyond their proper measure; and while they are ready, like St. Paul, to meet all the most laborious scenes of service, let them glory not in themselves, but in the Lord. This is a lesson we are all to learn. And whatever our stations in life are, let us resolutely and constantly guard against that self flattery by which we may be ready to commend ourselves, in instances in which we may be least approved by him, whose favour alone is worthy of our ambition, and by whose judgment, in the day of final account, we must stand or fall.

The apostle dec ares he was jea ous over the orinthians,