2 Corinthians 10

(1)  Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:
(2)  But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
(3)  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
(4)  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
(5)  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
(6)  And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
(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.
(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.
(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 labours; 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.

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Study Questions

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1. What three words in this verse set the tone Paul wishes to use toward some who were still incorrigible sinners? Verse 1.

2. What charge of his enemies at Corinth is Paul preparing to address? Verse 1.

3. What is Paul’s entreaty toward the church at Corinth? Does he expect to show “boldness” or “severity” toward all or toward some? Verse 2.

4. What is meant by the charge of his enemies that Paul “walked according to the flesh”? Verse 2.

5. Although Paul did live and walk in the flesh, what was it that he did not do? Verse 3.

6. What reason did Paul give for not walking after or according to the flesh? Verse 4.

7. Would Ephesians 6:11-18 describe the weapons that Paul used in spiritual warfare? Verse 4.

8. What two things originating in the mind of man opposes the knowledge of God? Verse 5.

9. When would Paul be ready “to revenge all disobedience,” that is, toward the ones who were still disobedient? Verse 6.

10. The Revised Standard Version renders the first part of this verse as “Look what is before your eyes.” What was before the eyes of the Corinthians or obvious to them? Verse 7.

11. For what purpose does Paul say he was given authority? Verse 8.

12. What would happen if Paul gloried in the power or authority given unto him? Verse 8.

13. Why was Paul reluctant to state the full nature and extent of his apostolic authority? Verse 9.

14. What were the insults and slanders directed toward Paul by the enemies at Corinth? Verse 10.

15. What was Paul’s reply to the insults and slanders? Verse 11.

16. What is it that Paul would not dare do? Verse 12.

17. What was the mistake of the false teachers that caused them to be unwise? Verse 12.

18. Although Paul will not boast or glory of things beyond measure, his measure certainly included what? Verse 13.

19. What does Paul affirm he did not do when he came to Corinth preaching the gospel? Verse 14.

20. What would have been “things without our measure,” according to Paul? Verse 15.

21. What was Paul’s hope concerning the Corinthians? Verse 15.

22. What did Paul want to do and did not plan to do after the errors at Corinth were corrected? Verse 16.

23. Although the enemies and false teachers at Corinth gloried in many things, what is it that is the right thing and what Paul gloried in? Verse 17.

24. What is the only commendation that is approved? How did the Lord commend his apostles? Verse 18.