Spiritual Weapons for Spiritual Warfare
Study note
Paul appeals with the meekness and gentleness of Christ while addressing those who accuse him of operating by worldly standards. He declares that the weapons of his warfare are not worldly but divinely powerful, able to demolish strongholds, destroy false arguments, and take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. This passage establishes that the real battle is for the mind and that spiritual victories require spiritual weapons.
1 Now I, Paul, make a personal appeal to you. I appeal by the gentleness and kindness of Christ. Some people say I act timid when I am with you in person but get bold when I am far away. 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 I am asking you: please do not force me to be tough when I come. I plan to be bold against certain people who think we operate by the world's standards. 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 Yes, we live in this world, but we do not fight our battles the way the world does. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4 The weapons we use are not human weapons. They carry God's power, and they can demolish fortresses. (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5 We knock down every proud argument and every wall that people build up against knowing God. We capture every thought and make it surrender to Christ. 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 Once you fully obey, we will be ready. We will deal with anyone who still does not obey. And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
Paul's Authority and Proper Boasting
Study note
Paul responds to critics who say his letters are impressive but his physical presence is unimpressive. He warns that his actions in person will match the weight of his written words. Rather than comparing himself to self-promoting opponents, Paul commits to boasting only within the boundaries of the work God has assigned him. He concludes with the principle that the only commendation that matters is the Lord's, not self-praise.
7 You are only looking at the surface. If someone is sure they belong to Christ, they need to think again -- because we belong to Christ just as much as they do. 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 Even if I brag a little too much about the authority the Lord gave us, I will not be embarrassed. He gave us this authority to build you up, not to tear you down. 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 I do not want you to think I am trying to scare you through my letters. That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.
10 People are saying, "His letters are powerful and impressive. But when he shows up in person he is not impressive at all, and he is a terrible speaker." For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.
11 Those people should know this. When we show up in person, our actions will match what we say in our letters. 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 We would never dare to compare ourselves with people who brag about themselves. When people measure themselves against each other, they are being foolish. 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 We will not brag about things beyond what God assigned to us. We will only brag about the area of work God gave us, and that area includes you. 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 We are not overstepping our boundaries, as if we had never reached you. We did come all the way to you with the good news about Christ. 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 We are not bragging about work that other people did. Instead, we hope that as your faith keeps growing, our work among you will grow much bigger too. 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 Then we will be able to share the good news in places even farther away. We do not want to brag about work that someone else already did. 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 If you want to brag, "brag about the Lord." But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
18 After all, what matters is not people praising themselves, but the Lord praising them. For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.