For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.
--2 Corinthians 10:3-4 (NKJV)
From the daily Bible reading on June 15, 2013 of Psalm 107:10-20; 2 Corinthians 10; 1 Kings 16-17.
In this tenth chapter of his second letter to the church in Corinth, Paul takes the opportunity to defend his authority as an apostle of Jesus Christ. While he is quite pleased that overall the church has returned to the practices he taught them, there are still some there who question and even at times challenge his authority, and some who prefer to follow these certain leaders that Paul refers to as false apostles (please reference chapter 11, among others), leaders who themselves claim higher authority than Paul (please see verse 7).
Paul begins his defense of his apostolic authority with today's focus verses, noting that while he and Timothy (chapter 1 verse 1) "walk in the flesh", they do not make war in the manner of the flesh. This can be considered as a combination of two other instructions Paul gives us: to live in the world but not be of the world (examples can be read in 1 Corinthians 5:9-11, Titus 2:11-13, and Romans 12:1-3, among others), and that we do not do battle against flesh and blood but against the rulers of darkness of this age (Ephesians 6:12). So Paul is saying that even though he is simply a man, a mere mortal human, his battle is not with other men, but with that great schemer Satan (2 Corinthians 2:11 and 11:14). And Paul does not go into this fight following the impulses of man's sinful nature, "according to the flesh", nor with the limitations of man's mortal body.
Paul uses the next few verses to contrast his approach to that used by the false teachers. While they use what seems to be pure logic and sometimes raw emotional arguments to confuse and sway those who will listen, Paul employs spiritual weapons to combat their pretentiousness. Paul does not go to war against the powers of darkness armed with implements of the world, but instead wields divine weapons of heavenly provision. Who but Satan arms the world with weapons of the world? Paul, on the other hand, is armed by God (see Ephesians 6:13-20). Paul uses God's own words, scripture from the Old Testament and those things the risen Christ spoke to him, to do battle with the evil one and his minions. For only divine, spiritual weapons are sufficient for the task at hand: for pulling down fortresses and casting down "every high thing that exalts itself" over Jesus and God. Mighty weapons are required to bring "every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" (verse 5). Let us take up those same arms and wade into that mighty and terrible fray, assured of the ultimate victory in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Father, through the words of Paul You tell us who our true enemy is in this life, and You arm us to do battle against him. Please give us the courage, O Lord, to take up those arms and Your shield and join the battle so that we might share in Jesus' victory. In the blessed name of Christ Jesus we pray. Amen.
Paul begins his defense of his apostolic authority with today's focus verses, noting that while he and Timothy (chapter 1 verse 1) "walk in the flesh", they do not make war in the manner of the flesh. This can be considered as a combination of two other instructions Paul gives us: to live in the world but not be of the world (examples can be read in 1 Corinthians 5:9-11, Titus 2:11-13, and Romans 12:1-3, among others), and that we do not do battle against flesh and blood but against the rulers of darkness of this age (Ephesians 6:12). So Paul is saying that even though he is simply a man, a mere mortal human, his battle is not with other men, but with that great schemer Satan (2 Corinthians 2:11 and 11:14). And Paul does not go into this fight following the impulses of man's sinful nature, "according to the flesh", nor with the limitations of man's mortal body.
Paul uses the next few verses to contrast his approach to that used by the false teachers. While they use what seems to be pure logic and sometimes raw emotional arguments to confuse and sway those who will listen, Paul employs spiritual weapons to combat their pretentiousness. Paul does not go to war against the powers of darkness armed with implements of the world, but instead wields divine weapons of heavenly provision. Who but Satan arms the world with weapons of the world? Paul, on the other hand, is armed by God (see Ephesians 6:13-20). Paul uses God's own words, scripture from the Old Testament and those things the risen Christ spoke to him, to do battle with the evil one and his minions. For only divine, spiritual weapons are sufficient for the task at hand: for pulling down fortresses and casting down "every high thing that exalts itself" over Jesus and God. Mighty weapons are required to bring "every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" (verse 5). Let us take up those same arms and wade into that mighty and terrible fray, assured of the ultimate victory in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Father, through the words of Paul You tell us who our true enemy is in this life, and You arm us to do battle against him. Please give us the courage, O Lord, to take up those arms and Your shield and join the battle so that we might share in Jesus' victory. In the blessed name of Christ Jesus we pray. Amen.
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