ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for 2 Corinthians 10

2 Cor. 10:1–13:10 Paul’s Appeal to the Rebellious Minority in Corinth. In the third major section of his letter, Paul directly appeals to those who are still rejecting his gospel and apostolic authority. During his third visit, Paul will be forced to judge those who have not repented (10:6; 12:20–21; 13:1–10).

2 Cor. 10:1–11 Paul responds to criticism of his humble appearance (vv. 1–6) and his refusal to use impressive public speaking techniques (vv. 7–11; see 1 Cor. 2:1–5).

2 Cor. 10:1 the meekness and gentleness of Christ. Christ’s willingness to allow time for repentance before he returns to judge (see 2 Pet. 3:8–10). I who am humble when . . . with you, but bold toward you when I am away. Paul probably quotes accusations made by his opponents (see 2 Cor. 10:10).

2 Cor. 10:3–4 The weapons of Paul’s warfare are not physical but spiritual, such as prayer, the Word of God, faith, and the power of the Holy Spirit. By the Spirit Paul tears down the strongholds of wrong thinking and behavior in the lives of those who resist his authority.

2 Cor. 10:8 for building you up and not for destroying you. “Building up” the church is a common Pauline description of new covenant ministry (see Rom. 14:19; 15:2; 1 Cor. 3:9–14; 14:3–5).

2 Cor. 10:9–11 absent . . . present. See note on v. 1.

2 Cor. 10:12–18 Paul now turns to reestablishing his authority in Corinth by (1) defining the proper standard for apostolic authority and (2) demonstrating that his ministry actually meets that standard, while his opponents’ ministry does not.

2 Cor. 10:12 Paul’s opponents recommend one another by comparing their abilities, spiritual gifts, and experiences. These are irrelevant for establishing apostolic authority in a church.

2 Cor. 10:13–14 In contrast to his opponents, Paul does not boast beyond limits (that is, beyond the sphere of his God-given apostolic authority). His apostolic authority in Corinth (the area of influence God assigned to us) was based on God sending Paul to establish the church in Corinth (to reach . . . you). See 1 Cor. 4:15; 2 Cor. 3:1–3.

2 Cor. 10:15–16 lands beyond. Paul’s aim is to plant churches in areas where the gospel has never been proclaimed (see Rom. 10:14–17). These false teachers try to change the gospel in places where it has already been established (another’s area).

2 Cor. 10:17–18 Paul supports his boasting as an apostle (vv. 12–16) by citing Jer. 9:23–24 (compare 1 Cor. 1:31). Since all human abilities and achievements are gifts from God, the only true basis for boasting is to boast in the Lord, that is, boasting in what the Lord provides, not in one’s accomplishments. The Lord commends his people by working in and through their lives (see 2 Cor. 3:1; 4:2; 5:12; 6:4).