Daily Devotions
2 Corinthians
"Who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh."
Text: 2 Corinthians 10:2
PAUL’S EXPRESSED WISH
Paul’s first desire was to be as Christ Jesus was, “meek and gentle”. He wished he could remain lowly and humble in spirit and demeanour. But there were circumstances when a different approach may be warranted!
“But I beg you that when I am present I may not be bold
with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some,
who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.”
2 Corinthians 10:2
1. “But I beg you”
a) Paul pleaded with the Corinthians to understand him as an Apostle of Christ.
b) He could be gentle, meek and humble as Christ the Master.
c) He could also be firm and bold as Christ was when He cleansed the Temple (John 2:13-22).
2. “When I am present I may not be bold with that confidence”
a) Paul hoped to visit the Corinthian Church in the near future.
b) When he comes he would have to address the unresolved problems in the Church.
c) Two approaches of Paul:
i) He could come with a gentle, meek and humble spirit.
ii) He could also come with boldness.
iii) He could come with the authoritative confidence God had given to him as an apostle.
d) Paul’s desire was that he would not need to adopt a stern demeanour in the Corinthian Church.
3. “Against some”
a) Not all the members of the Corinthian Church were giving trouble.
b) There were some who kept resisting the apostolic ministry and authority of Paul.
c) Paul would prefer not to take a strong and stern approach in ministry.
d) But he was not afraid of facing his opponents with boldness and strength.
4. “Who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh”
a) What the critics were saying about Paul and his fellow-workers caused problems in the Church.
b) Their appraisal and criticism:
i) Paul and his fellow-workers were “of the flesh”.
ii) They were thus not seen as “of the Spirit”.
iii) They were walking according to the flesh.
iv) They were thus written off by the critics.
c) He could also be firm and bold as Christ was when He cleansed the Temple (John 2:13-22).
2. “When I am present I may not be bold with that confidence”
a) Paul hoped to visit the Corinthian Church in the near future.
b) When he comes he would have to address the unresolved problems in the Church.
c) Two approaches of Paul:
i) He could come with a gentle, meek and humble spirit.
ii) He could also come with boldness.
iii) He could come with the authoritative confidence God had given to him as an apostle.
d) Paul’s desire was that he would not need to adopt a stern demeanour in the Corinthian Church.
3. “Against some”
a) Not all the members of the Corinthian Church were giving trouble.
b) There were some who kept resisting the apostolic ministry and authority of Paul.
c) Paul would prefer not to take a strong and stern approach in ministry.
d) But he was not afraid of facing his opponents with boldness and strength.
4. “Who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh”
a) What the critics were saying about Paul and his fellow-workers caused problems in the Church.
b) Their appraisal and criticism:
i) Paul and his fellow-workers were “of the flesh”.
ii) They were thus not seen as “of the Spirit”.
iii) They were walking according to the flesh.
iv) They were thus written off by the critics.
They were spreading these false ideas in the Church!