2 Coríntios 10
Bob Utley · Citado em PreceptAustin
2 Coríntios 10
Utley - Paul uses a series of military metaphors to describe the daily struggle between the Christian and spiritual wickedness (cf. Ro 7:1-25; Ro 8:3–11). This spiritual wickedness is defined in v. 5 as human logic, wisdom, and argumentation against the gospel (cf. Ep 6:10–18). (2 Corinthians 10 Commentary) For (gar) - term of explanation. He will explain why he does not walk and war according to the flesh (its sinful nature). Notice Paul's clever play on the words of those who accused him of walking according to the flesh. He addresses them with the declaration that he walks in the flesh (flesh and blood, like any human being), but not according to the (fallen) flesh! Paul agrees he was in the flesh physically but not according to the flesh spiritually! Charles Hodges on for (gar) - "This verse is linked either with the middle clause of the previous verse (“I am determined to be bold toward the opponents of the truth, for though I live in the world, I do not wage war as the world does”), or, as is often the case in Paul’s letters, the for refers to a thought that is omitted: “Some think that I live as the world does—that is not true—for though I live in the world, I do not wage war as the world does.” The latter seems the more natural and forcible. Paul did indeed live in the world; he was a man, and a mere man, not only having a body, but being subject to all the infirmities of human nature. But he did not wage war as the world does. What was human and worldly neither determined his conduct, nor was the ground of his confidence." (2 Corinthians 10 Commentary) Though we (present tense - continually) walk (peripateo) in the flesh (en sarki) - NLT - "We are human, but we don't wage war with human plans and methods." In short, while believers walk as human beings, believers do not war as human beings. In the previous verse Paul alluded to the fact that his opponents accused him of walking in the flesh (flesh - the sinful nature). Now he says we walk in the flesh which is saying he walks (lives, conducts himself in the world) just like any man with all the difficulties and weaknesses characteristic of mankind. Walk refers to how one orders his or her steps, and is a metaphor describing how we live or conduct our life. Flesh in this context refers to physical flesh ("flesh and blood"), but in this same sentence, the second use of flesh describes the evil nature (flesh) that indwells all men (because all inherit it from Adam Ro 5:12+). Flesh in this context is that ungodly nature J I Packer refers to as "anti-God energy". While believers are like all mankind, being only human, but unlike the rest of mankind, believers are not to fight spiritual war with natural human weapons, which are useless in spiritual warfare. Wayne
2 Coríntios 10
Utley has an interesting note that "Romans was written from Corinth about this same time. He also mentions this warfare in Rom. 6:13 and Ro 13:12." (2 Corinthians 10 Commentary) Weapons(3696) hoplon originally described any tool or implement for preparing a thing and then became specialized to refer to items such as a ship's tackling, a cable, a rope or a tool of any kind (blacksmith tools, sickle, staff) and then in the plural was used for "weapons of warfare. And so the instruments we are to put at the service of God are weapons (Ro 6:13KJV) or implements of war, either offensive or defensive.
2 Coríntios 10
Utley - The false teachers were claiming spiritual authority and standing, but were denying Paul’s. (2 Corinthians 10 Commentary) let him consider (logizomai) this again within himself, that just as he is Christ's, so also are we - Paul repeats the reflexive pronoun himself commanding his opponents to do a little self examination - let him reckon or calculate again (logizomai)! They may think they belong to Christ and Paul did not, but Paul is quite sure of his standing with Christ. Paul will go on to prove his authenticity in the following passages. Here for argument's sake he makes the assumption that they belong to Christ, but later he will destroy the self-deception of these impostors writing For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds. (2Cor 11:13-15+) Sam Storms - “Super” Spirituality and a Call for Discernment 2 Corinthians 10:7 Look at what is before your eyes. If anyone is confident that he is Christ’s, let him remind himself that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we. The Christian world is all abuzz about leadership these days. Take a look at any list of best-selling books and you’ll find at least three or four of the top ten that are concerned with some aspect of leadership, whether in identifying the essence of the good and successful sort or in warning of the bad. It’s the latter that I’d like to briefly address in this meditation. I’m sickened, as I’m sure you are, by the almost daily barrage of news concerning either the self-serving, authoritarian practices of some professed Christian leader or the moral scandal that has befallen yet another. Where do these people come from? How do they manage to attain such lofty heights of praise and power? Why do people grant them such unqualified allegiance? What accounts for their ability to amass so much wealth and fame and authority over the lives of their followers? Don’t be misled. I’m not talking about the obvious and notorious cult figures such as David Koresh or Jim Jones or the leaders of certain polygamous groups who have been much in the news of late. I have in mind local church pastors and leaders of parachurch ministries as well as those who have risen to fame and fortune on the waves of “revival” movements and other sensational and supernatural spiritual happenings. Countless theological and sociological studies have examined such folk in an effort to understand the source of their power and the secret to their allure. I’ve read a few of them myself, and they’ve often been spot on target. Amidst the variety of explanations for their success, one is common to all, which brings us to our text in 2 Corinthians 10. However, before noting Paul’s comments, let me differentiate between the sort of authoritative and self-aggrandizing “shearer of the sheep” that the apostle confronted in the church at Corinth and the truly gifted and godly pastor of today’s mega-church. My words that follow are not intended to indict those who, through faithful and diligent service, have built large churches and gathered zealous disciples. Not all forms of success are bad! Quite a few prominent leaders whose ministries have drawn thousands of devoted followers are to be honored and emulated. They are not the focus of my concern or the target of my criticism. I have in mind the aggressive, self-righteous, supremely self-confident person whose alleged authority borders on legalistic control. This is the person whose flamboyant style, charismatic personality, and sheer energy of will seduce his followers into suspending their critical faculties and throwing discernment to the wind. This sort of “leader” does not humbly serve and sacrifice for the flock but expects them (without necessarily saying so) to supply him with financial blessings and a wide array of other perks and privileges. This individual is typically unaccountable and not held to the same standard that he requires of his ardent devotees. So what explains this remarkable mystique? Why do so many fall prey to such claims? To what does this sort of “leader” appeal as the reason why he should be treated with such extraordinary respect and devotion? Look at Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 10:7 for at least one answer to our question: Look at what is before your eyes. If anyone is confident that he is Christ’s, let him remind himself that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we. (v. 7) The NASB renders the opening words of verse 7 as a statement of fact: “You are looking at things as they are outwardly.” More likely this is a command: “Look at what is before your eyes.” What they are to look at and from which they are to draw appropriate conclusions would include such things as the fact that they are themselves the fruit of Paul’s labors, bearing witness to the authenticity of his calling as an apostle (see 1 Cor. 9:1–2; 2 Cor. 3:1–3); that Paul “belongs” to Christ (as do his coworkers and all believers) no less than the intruders; that his authority came from Christ and was always exercised for the building up of the Corinthians; and that his actions and words were not incompatible, as some alleged, but were always aimed at the same goals, being prompted by the same motives. The “anyone” of verse 7 likely “points to a particular individual, the ringleader of the Judaizing intruders who expressed the viewpoint of them all.” But what precisely is it that this representative figure is claiming, on the basis of which he and like-minded others are challenging Paul’s authority? This man is claiming, literally, to be “of Christ.” The genitive is certainly possessive, thus suggesting that he promoted himself as one who belonged to the Lord in some unique and special way. Several suggestions have been made concerning the precise nature of this statement. Some contend that they were claiming to be Christians and insisting Paul was not. But this is highly unlikely. As radically opposed to him as they were, there’s no indication in the letter that they questioned his salvation. Some say these opponents claimed to belong to the “Christ party” mentioned in 1 Corinthians 1:12 (where some said, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ”). But would Paul have responded to such a claim by saying he is of the Christ party no less than they? Given his strong denunciations of the schismatic spirit in Corinth, he would hardly now have endorsed it! Others suggest they were appealing to an earthly relationship with Jesus. They knew him during the time of his sojourn but Paul didn’t, thus putting them at an advantage to him. But in verse 7b Paul claims to have no less a relation to Jesus, and we know he had no personal contact with the Lord until after the ascension, most likely on the road to Damascus. Might it be a claim to have received a special commission from Jesus? But that is an assertion made only by the “super apostles” (cf. 11:5) whom Paul does not address until the next chapter. Here he is dealing with “insiders” who are critical of him because of his feeble previous visit and his frightening (“severe”) follow-up letter (cf. 10:9–11). The most likely interpretation is that they were asserting some special, ongoing relationship with Christ, making their point with an obviously feigned humility. One can almost see a slight tilt of the head together with just the right inflection of voice: “I am Christ’s man. I belong to Jesus in a way you don’t. He has a higher interest in me than in you. He has a deeper affection for me than for you. I have access to his mind and heart in a way that transcends whatever claims you might make. Therefore, I and a few others have been given an authority and power and place above you and your co-workers.” In many such cases the person who stands center stage doesn’t explicitly assert that he or she is the recipient of special divine favor or revelatory insights worthy of only a chosen few. They would never commit the tactical error of publicly promoting themselves as uniquely “anointed.” They simply do nothing to disabuse their followers of such false perceptions. Their calculated silence is mistaken for humility and their power base grows. Is this not precisely the grounds on which so many today build their reputations and undergird their authority? False and self-serving leadership that ultimately works to enhance the person’s fame and fortune is almost always the result of allowing people to think one has a unique and privileged relationship with God, one that is unavailable to ordinary believers. It is frequently, if not most times, grounded in the claim to supernatural experiences, whether angelic visitations or third heaven translations or having heard the voice of God with a clarity and force beyond what any average Christian might experience. Let me say it as forcefully as I can: Beware of all such claims to a superior or “super” spirituality! Beware of any suggestion that one has special knowledge or insights unavailable to others! Beware of those whose only credentials are the visions they have allegedly seen or the angels with whom they have allegedly conversed (cf. Col. 2:18)! [I say this as one who believes in the gift of prophecy, visions, and angelic encounters.] On the other hand, genuine, godly leadership that warrants your allegiance is built on character, not charisma. It is grounded in virtue, not visions. Its appeal is the centrality of Christ, not displays of power or heightened states of ecstasy. And at the heart of such authentic authority is the faithful proclamation of a cross-centered, Christ-exalting gospel, which is to say, a preaching of “Jesus Christ as Lord” and “ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake” (2 Cor. 4:5). All of us, at some point or other, will have to “look at what is before our eyes” (v. 7a) and pass judgment on the legitimacy of claims to spiritual authority. What criteria shall we employ? Upon reading the following words of Charles Spurgeon, I think I now know: I have not the slightest desire to suppose that I have advanced in the spiritual life many stages beyond my brethren. As long as I trust simply to the blood and righteousness of Christ, and think nothing of myself, I believe that I shall continue to be pleasing to the Lord Jesus Christ, that this joy will be in me, and that my joy will be full. A Sincere and Pure Devotion to Christ: Confident (convinced, persuaded) (3982) peitho means literally to persuade or induce by words to believe. Peitho is a strong verb, carrying the components of confidence, reliance, and hope. The NT uses (see examples below) in the perfect tense mean to cause to come to a particular point of view or course of action. The idea is to come to a settled persuasion concerning something or to be persuaded. It means to be so convinced that one puts confidence in something or someone. The idea of a settled conviction is the result of a past completed process of turning a matter over in one’s mind until one is persuaded of it. 2 Corinthians 10:8 For even if I boast somewhat further about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be put to shame, NIV So even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of it. AMP For even though I boast rather freely about our power and authority, which the Lord gave for your upbuilding and not for demolishing you, yet I shall not be put to shame [for exceeding the truth], NLT I may seem to be boasting too much about the authority given to us by the Lord. But our authority builds you up; it doesn’t tear you down. So I will not be ashamed of using my authority. NRSV Now, even if I boast a little too much of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of it. NTMS:ITEETRGT If, however, I were to boast more loudly of our apostolic authority, which the Lord has given us that we may build you up, not pull you down, I should have no reason to feel ashamed. YLT for even if also anything more abundantly I shall boast concerning our authority, that the Lord gave us for building up, and not for casting you down, I shall not be ashamed; NEB Indeed, if I am somewhat over-boastful about our authority—an authority given by the Lord to build you up, not pull you down—I shall make my boast good. NET For if I boast somewhat more about our authority that the Lord gave us for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of doing so. The Living Bible I may seem to be boasting more than I should about my authority over you—authority to help you, not to hurt you—but I shall make good every claim. MLB:BV Even if we do boast excessively about our authority, which the Lord granted us for your establishment and not for your destruction, I shall not be put to shame; REB Indeed, if I am boasting too much about our authority—an authority given by the Lord to build your faith, not pull it down—I shall make good my boast. ESV For even if I boast a little too much of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be ashamed. KJV 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: For even if I boast : 2Co 1:24 2Co 13:2,3,8,10 Ga 1:1 I will not be put to shame 2Co 7:14 12:6 2Ti 1:12 Related Passages: 1 Corinthians 1:31 (GOD HONORING BOASTING) so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.” 2 Corinthians 12:19+ All this time you have been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you. Actually, it is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ; and all for your upbuilding (oikodome) beloved. Ephesians 4:11-12 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up (oikodome) of the body of Christ; 2 Corinthians 13:10+ (PAUL'S AUTHORITY TO BUILD UP) For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present I need not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me for building up (oikodome) and not for tearing down. 1 Corinthians 14:26+ (ALL THINGS FOR EDIFICATION) What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. Acts 26:16+ (SOURCE OF PAUL'S AUTHORITY) (JESUS DECLARED TO HIM ON THE DAMASCUS ROAD) ‘But get up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you; PAUL'S AUTHORITY FOR EDIFICATION Lowery - In order to retrieve this indiscriminate church Paul would have to engage in what he found personally repugnant—self-commendation. His goal was not self-enhancement but restoration of the Corinthians. (The Bible Knowledge Commentary) For even if I boast (kauchaomai) somewhat further about our authority (exousia) - "For even if I boast a little too much of our authority" Paul initially expresses some hesitancy in boasting about his own authority. If is the third class condition, introducing a probability - he is preparing his readers for a "boastful section". Paul in defending his character and his apostolic authority feels compelled to do something that was very uncomfortable for him and that was to boast (in a God honoring, positive sense) about the ministry Jesus had given him to accomplish. His boast was not an empty boast but had as its foundation the Word of God and the work of God.