Paul’s warning against false teachers: (chap.10):
From (chap. 10-13), Apostle Paul changes the tone of his letter. We see in the first (7-chapters) Paul encourages them to be involved in the ministry, from (chap. 8-9) he challenges them about the grace of giving and the last (3-chapters), he corrects the misunderstanding that existed between some of the members. Here he emphasized his sufferings, not his successes. When the entire letter was read in the Corinthian assembly, it must have brought shame to those who had criticized Paul and made the Judaizers look foolish.
Corinthians charge on Paul’s Apostleship: (10:1-2)
Paul changes his tone with a touch of sarcasm when a small group of Corinthians questioned his authority. Paul vindicates his charge with meekness and gentleness. We must know that majority of Corinthians were behind Paul. Paul was going to be tough yet he does it with all meekness and gentleness. This minority group of Corinthians thought that Paul was timid when face to face but bold in his letters and so they wanted to discredit his apostleship. Further they accused Paul that he was walking according to the flesh. But Paul wanted to be humble and patience in dealing with straying Corinthians. He hopes that the Corinthians will change their mind towards his credentials as an apostle and this would pave Paul to come to them with gentleness and meekness.
Paul’s reply to Corinthians charge of cowardice: (10:3-6):
Here Paul was not merely answering his critics, but to Satan himself. Paul says that though we live in this world, he does not wage war according to the world. After all he is a human being like any one of us. But When Paul battled in his wars, his weapons were not material, but spiritual, suited for spiritual war. The worldly weapons are swords and spears. He would not defend his apostolic credentials with the carnal or worldly weapons others might use.
In (Eph.6:10-18), Paul lists the kind of spiritual weapons he did use: the belt of truth buckled around waist, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes fitted to the feet for the readiness of the gospel, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. These weapons are mighty that can pull down the strongholds of the flesh.
The Corinthian Christians might have tended to rely on carnal weapons for the Christian battle. Viz.
- Instead of the belt of truth, they fought with manipulation.
- Instead of the breastplate of righteousness, they fought with the image of success.
- Instead of the shoes of the gospel, they fought with smooth words.
- Instead of the shield of faith, they fought with the perception of power.
- Instead of the helmet of salvation, they fought with lording over authority.
- Instead of the sword of the Spirit, they fought with human schemes and programs.
The Lord Jesus Christ has also brought a great victory with spiritual battle (Phil.2:6-11): “who, being in very nature of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of the a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man he humbled himself and became obedient to death even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Jesus Christ brought this greatest victory through His humble obedience
Our spiritual weapons are scorned by the world, but feared by demonic powers. When we fight with truth, righteousness, evangelism, faith, salvation, the Word of God, and prayer, no principality or power can stand against us.
Further Paul said, these weapons have the power to pull down strongholds which again mean that the spiritual weapons will have victory over wrong and bad thoughts, arguments, relying on carnal methods, the worldly values etc.
By the obedience to Christ, we can demolish every argument, thought that sets up against the omnipotence of God and the knowledge of God and bring into captivity of Christ. The carnal world think that they know more than God and so want to debate or argue with God and God’s people. It is true that many churches are behaving like the Corinthians relying on carnal methods. The worldly system is blinding the eyes many church members. That’s why Paul says: “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom.12:2). This means to allow the Holy Spirit to work in mind so that He takes captive of our every thought and make it obedient to Christ. The thoughts of lust, thoughts of anger, thoughts of fear, thoughts of greed, bitter thoughts, evil thoughts etc must be brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.
If someone says “I don’t want my thoughts to be captive to anyone.” This is wrong because every one either they belong to Jesus or to Satan. Further our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Now Paul was ready to confront the Corinthian Christians, and to pull down the strongholds among them if they would not do it themselves. Paul sees that there is no point in coming to confront disobedience until those who have obeyed Jesus have made up their mind to do so. He will give time for those who want to repent. Then he will come to punish the disobedient members.
“Herein the apostle hath set a rule and a pattern to all churches, where are multitudes that walk disorderly; not to be too hasty in excommunicating them, but to proceed gradually; first using all fair means, and waiting with all patience, for the reducing them to their duty, who will by any gentle and fair means be reduced; and then revenging the honour and glory of God only upon such as will not be reclaimed.” (Poole)