2 Corinthians 10

2 Corinthians 10 is the first chapter of Paul's self-defense, a section that continues through chapter 13. Unlike chapters 8–9, which deal with the collection for Jerusalem, this chapter takes on a noticeably sharper tone.

Outline

• Verses 1–6: Paul appeals to the Corinthians by the meekness and gentleness of Christ. He asks that he not have to be bold in person toward those who think he walks according to the flesh. He then states that his weapons are not carnal but are mighty through God for pulling down strong holds, casting down imaginations, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.
• Verses 7–11: Paul rebukes those who look only on outward appearance. He declares that the authority he received from the Lord was given to build the church up, not to tear it down. To the criticism that his letters are weighty and powerful but that in person he is weak, he answers that he will be the same in deed when present as he is in word by letter when absent.
• Verses 12–18: Paul refuses to compare himself with those who commend themselves and measure themselves by one another. He says he will glory only within the limits of the measure God has apportioned to him, that he will not boast of other men's labors, and that he intends to preach the gospel in regions beyond Corinth.

Key Verses

• 2 Corinthians 10:4: "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal." This passage is the one most often cited in discussions of spiritual warfare.
• 2 Corinthians 10:10: The opponents' assessment, "his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible," directly reveals the criticism Paul faced.
• 2 Corinthians 10:17: "But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord" serves as the conclusion of the chapter.

People and Places

• Paul: the apostle who wrote the letter.
• Corinth: the Greek port city where the church that received the letter was located.
• The opponents: those who criticized Paul. The text does not name them. They are addressed in greater detail in 2 Corinthians 11.

Points for Reflection

• Because chapters 10–13 differ markedly in tone from the preceding chapters, some scholars regard this section as originally a separate letter. Others read it as part of a single letter.
• Some in charismatic circles interpret the "strong holds" as demonic powers or territorial spirits. Others point out that what the text says is cast down are "imaginations" and "thoughts," and therefore read the term as referring to ideas that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God.
• Paul's weak appearance and unimpressive speech appear in the text only as his opponents' assessment. Descriptions of his appearance in later apocryphal writings belong to traditions outside the biblical text.
• Verse 17 draws on Jeremiah 9:24 and also appears in 1 Corinthians 1:31. Verse 16 connects with Romans 15:20, where Paul says he sought not to build upon another man's foundation.

In the Korean Church

In tongsung (praying aloud together) and intercessory prayer meetings, the expression "prayer that pulls down strongholds" is widely used. Verses 4–5 are frequently preached as texts on the battle for the mind and heart.