2 Corinthians 10
Dort1. Paul upon occasion that some false Apostles among the Corinthians said, that his writing was of some worth, but his presence of small esteem. 3. Treats of the Apostolical power which God had given him to coercing of the disobedient in his church, 4. not by carnal or temporal, but by spiritual weapons, which are powerful thereunto through God. 8. Yet that this power was given him for edification and not for pulling down, 10. which he not only being absent by letters, but also being present, was ready to show forth against such. 12. That he being strengthened with this power had spread the Gospel even unto that place. 15. Not where others had laboured before, 16. and that he was resolved to proceed thus, not only among them to strengthen them, but also in the countries lying beyond them. Yet that he saith this, not to boast of himself, but of the grace of God among them.
1. Furthermore I Paul my self entreat [Or exhort] you by the meekness and kindness [Gr. equity, moderation] of Christ, who being present [Gr. according to the face, i.e. present, or according to the outward appearance] am indeed mean [or low. These words Paul relateth as out of the mouth of some false Apostles, who in this wise sought to make the earnest exhortations of the Apostle set down in the former Epistle of none effect] among you, but being absent am bold towards you.
2. I entreat therefore that being present I may not be bold [That is, may not be constrained by the disobedience of these, being present really to use such boldness in reproving] with that boldness wherewith I am thought to have dealt boldly against some, [namely, in writing and threatening when I am not present] who esteem us as if we walked after the flesh. [that is, used carnal or human ways to get us respect with men.]
3. For walking in the flesh [That is, in this life, as weak and mean persons. See Hebrews 5:7.] we war not [So he calls his dealing and walking amongst men in the spreading abroad of the Holy Gospel. See 1 Tim. 1. 18. and 2 Tim. 4. 7.] after the flesh. [that is, after the manner of carnal or deceitful men. See 2 Cor. 1. 17. for so the Apostle is wont to use this word, after the flesh, in several places.]
4. For the weapons of our warfare [That is, the weapons which we use, by the Gospel of Christ to convert men, and to bring them under the Kingdom and obedience of Christ] are not carnal, [that is, such as natural men are wont to make use of, either by eloquence, or by deceit, or by force to bring others under them] but powerful through God [Gr. powerful to God, i.e. by the power which God joins with it, as well in working of miracles, Mark 16:20. as in the moving and convincing of the hearts by his spirit Acts 16:14. and also withal in punishing of them who sought to withstand this . See an example in Barjesus, Acts 13:8.] to the throwing down of strength. [so the Apostle calls, whatsoever Satan and the world, whether by persecutions, or by worldy wisdom and eloquence, casteth in the way to hinder the course of the Gospel, as the two following verses declare. See also Jer. 1. ver. 10, 18, 19.]
5. Seeing we cast down [That is, subject to Christ and his word. For human reason must be no Judge over the Gospel, but bow and yield it self captive under it: as the following words also declare] reasonings [namely, which the natural reason of man brings forth, to deprive the Gospel of its esteem] and every height [namely, of reputed wisdom or valour] which lifts up itself against the knowledge of God, and lead captive every thought unto the obedience of Christ. [that is, of the Gospel of Christ which is indeed foolishness to them that perish, but to them that are saved it is the power of God, 1 Cor. 1. 18.]
6. And have ready (that which serves) to revenge all disobedience, [This the Apostle speaks not of any outward or worldy revenge. For that Christ hath forbidden his Apostles, Matthew 20:25. and 26. 52. but of the declaration of the wrath of God upon the stiffnecked, and of the exercise of excommunication against them, who giving themselves out for members of the Church, nevertheless reach or live unchristianly] when your obedience shall be fulfilled. [that is, be accomplished, or demonstrated to the full. And this the Apostle saith for mollifying of the foregoing threatening, to move them to prevent this punishment by amendment of such offences: forasmuch as there must also convenient time and means for repentance be given to such, before the last punishment may be used.]
7. Do ye look on that which is before the eyes? [Gr. the things which hath an outward show before them; or whereof any one would boast outwardly] If any man trust with himself that he is Christ, let him think this again of himself, that even as he is Christ’s, so we also are Christ’s.
8. For if also should boast somewhat more abundantly of our power, [Namely, which we as Apostles of Christ have received from Christ more than other disciples] use it so, that the sinner may thereby be brought to repentance and not to despair. See 1 Cor. 5. 5. 2 Cor. 2. ver. 6, 7, 8.] and not for your pulling down, I shall not be ashamed:
9. That I might one seem as if I would affright you by letters. [That is, would make you afraid only by the weightness and authority of letters. And so the Apostle answers another slander of some false Apostles, as is hereafter declared by him more at large.]
10. For the letters (say they) [Namely, the false Apostles. Others read saith he, as if he spoke of a special one among them] are indeed weighty and powerful, but the presence of the body is weak, and the speech is contemptible. [that is, his speeches and words having nothing of worth or excellency when he is present].
11. Let such a one think this, that such as we are in word by letters, when we are absent, we are also such indeed [That is, in executing of that which we threaten by letters] when we are present.
12. For we dare not count [Or, join, i.e. not reckon or judge ourselves to be amongst such] or compare ourselves with some who praise themselves: but these understand not [or, are not wise] that they measure themselves by themselves, [Gr. in themselves, i.e. will be estremed according to their own opinion or self conceits] and compare themselves with themselves. [namely, without looking upon others, to whom the Lord hath imparted greater gifts and power: as were the Apostles of Christ.]
13. But we will not boast without the measure: [Gr. to or in things which are without measure, i.e. without measure, i.e. without the measure which God hath imparted to us; even as others do] but that according to the measure of the rule, which measure God hath imparted to us; [or, which God hath imparted to us for a measure, that is which God hath prescribed to us, and wherewith he hath bounded our ministry. A similitude taken from them, who divide, each his inheritance to build there, or his field to sow thereon, or his vineyard to plant thereon] we are also come even unto you. [namely, in spreading abroad of the holy Gospel, and planting of the Church of Christ.]
14. For we stretch not ourselves forth to wide, as who should not come to you: [That is, as if we must not come unto you. Gr. as not coming unto you] for we are also come even unto you in the Gospel of Christ.
15. Not boasting without the measure [Namely, prescribed or determined to us by Christ] in other (men’s) labour, [That is, where the Gospel of Christ is already spread by others] but having hope when your faith shall be grown [that is, be increased or strengthened] that we shall be abundantly enlarged among you [or, spread forth, namely, in the prescribed bounds of our preaching. Others join these words together thus, when your faith shall be grown or strengthened among you, that we shall be abundantly enlarged, i.e. spread forth] according to our rule: [that is, in the spreading abroad of our prescribed part, so that the word rule is here taken for the limits or the determined portion of Countries & Cities, where each Apostle was to bestow his labour. And this agrees well with the following verse. For this is it which the Apostle here declares, that their weaknesses and defects were yet an impediment, that he could not as yet travel into the countries lying beyond them, to plant the Gospel there; but when they should have amended those defects and be duly strengthened in the faith, that then he might boldly and without suspicion go forward unto others.]
16. To publish the Gospel in the (places) which are (situate) on the further side of you: not to boast in another rule [That is, where another had already the bounds of his calling and preached. See Romans 15:20.] of that which is (already) made ready.
17. But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. [That is, ascribe all the praise of his labour to the Lord; seeing the power itself to labour, and the fruits thereof, proceed onely from his blessing. See 1 Cor. 3. 5. and 15. 10.]
18. For not he that praiseth himself, but whom the Lord praiseth, he is approved. [That is, after proof, known, acknowledge and found to be faithful and upright.]