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Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024
the First Week of Advent

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Bible Commentaries
2 Corinthians 10

2 Corinthians2Co 9 2 Corinthians2Co 2 Corinthians2Co 11

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Verse 1

Verse 1 Most of the earlier part of this letter has been addressed to that part of the church loyal to Paul. The apostle now turns to deal with his accusers. He had included Timothy in previous thoughts, but now stands alone (1) for his defense. To show the spirit of his writing, Paul accepts their charge that he was weak in their presence. He says he is writing in the meekness and gentleness of Christ.

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Verse 2

Verse 2 Paul pleaded with them to change so he might again come to them gently. He did not want to use the power God had given him to prove his spirituality and disprove the charges that he served only his fleshly desires.

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Verse 3

Verse 3 He admitted that he was a man, but denied using human tactics (slander to destroy enemies; adjusting speech to please others) to satisfy personal desires.

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Verse 4

Verse 4 All of Paul's power was from God and based on His word ( 1Co_4:19-21 ; 1Co_5:5 ). This is a possible reference to the "crow" that was a great claw used to pull down strongholds and castles.

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Verse 5

Verse 5 The purpose of Christianity is to throw out all human thinking and place God in complete control. Every part of the Christian is to be subject to God's uses and intents.

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Verse 6

Verse 6 The power previously mentioned, was going to be used by Paul to punish those who insisted on disobeying God's inspired apostle. He did, however, pause to give all those who would obey a chance to repent.

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Verse 7

Verse 7 Some were looking at the outside to determine value. Such is a shallow measure. Paul was at least equal to those who opposed him ( Act_9:15 ; Act_15:25 ; Gal_2:9 ).

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Verse 8

Verse 8 Paul knew that he could boast in his authority over against theirs and his boast would be backed up. He would not fall to his shame. However, God gave him that great power to build up the church, not tear it down, as others with less power apparently would do.

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Verse 9

Verse 9 Paul could back his strong letters with power if it was necessary when he arrived.

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Verse 10

Verse 10 Some falsely accused him of being powerful in his writing, but weak when present.

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Verse 11

Verse 11 Clearly, Paul wants them to know he will back his words with power and prompt action when he is present with them.

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Verse 12

Verse 12 Paul did not see himself as an equal to his opponents in their ability to exaggerate their own power and authority. Apparently they had accused him of commending himself ( 2Co_3:1 ; 2Co_5:12 ), but they were describing their own problem. Within their own narrow circle, they looked big to themselves, but showed their lack of knowledge of the way things were else where. We will be judged by Christ's word ( Joh_12:48 ), not our own consciences. ** Written on side - We should not compare ourselves to the world, but to Christ.

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Verse 13

Verse 13 Paul did not measure himself by men. Rather, he measured himself by the area God had given him to work in. His sphere of preaching was the area where Christ had not been named ( Rom_15:20 ), which included Corinth when he started the work there.

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2 Corinthians2Co 9 2 Corinthians2Co 2 Corinthians2Co 11

Bibliographical Information
Hampton, Gary. "Commentary on 2 Corinthians 10". "Hampton's Commentary on Selected Books". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/ghc/2-corinthians-10.html. 2014.

Bible Commentaries
2 Corinthians 10

Hampton's Commentary on Selected BooksHampton's Commentary

Verse 1

Verse 2

Verse 3

Verse 4

Verse 5

Verse 6

Verse 7

Verse 8

Verse 9

Verse 10

Verse 11

Verse 12

Verse 13

Verse 14

Verse 15

Verse 16

Verse 17

Verse 18

Bible Commentaries2 Corinthians 10

Hampton's Commentary on Selected BooksHampton's Commentary

Bible Commentaries
2 Corinthians 10