BEN F. VICK, JR.
As one comes to the tenth chapter of Second Corinthians, he will note a change in the message and manner of Paul’s writing. He now addresses the problem of the Judaizing teachers at Corinth. At least three different groups in the church at Corinth were those loyal to Paul and the truth, the false teachers, and those who were swallowing what the false teachers were saying. A fourth group might have been some who were neutral, not knowing which way to turn.
After it had been established, the false teachers had come into Corinth; their modus operandi may have been just like the Judaizing teachers who entered the churches of Galatia – under a cloak of secrecy (Gal. 2:4-5). At any rate, they did not establish the work there but intended to take over the work. A failure on the part of the leaders to be vigilant in a congregation makes it vulnerable for the wolves in sheep’s clothing to enter and devour the flock (Acts 20:28-32).
The false teachers were falsely charging Paul of being weak in appearance. When he was away, they said his letters were weighty and powerful; but when he was present, he was soft, and his speech was of no account. So, they charged Paul with being a milksop and a poor speaker. And in essence, were calling him a coward.
So, what was Paul to do? Did he let the false charges against him slide because people would say it is just a personality issue? Should he fight the matter with “dignified silence,” hoping it would die down? After all, why rock the boat? No, as despicable as it was to Paul, a defense of himself was necessary. He did not want to get on the level with the false teachers, but they had to be answered. Why did they have to be answered? The truth was at stake. The life of the church at Corinth was in jeopardy. All of his work with them would have, so to speak, gone down the drain. Paul’s apostleship was being questioned. If he had let it slide, all of his previous efforts might have been hurt, and what would the future hold for his work?
After pointing out that he would approach in the meekness and gentleness of Christ, he made it clear that contrary to the charges made, carnal weapons such as sophism and unsound arguments would not be used by him in answering these individuals. He wrote, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Cor. 10:3–5.) Macknight commented, “The powerful weapons of which the apostle speaks, were the gifts of inspiration and miracles, the faculty of speaking all kinds of languages, and the ability of communicating miraculous powers and spiritual gifts to others.” He did not need the fleshly or weak weapons of swords, spears, military engines, cunning stratagems, and false speeches that men of this world use.
Paul inquired, “Do ye look on things after the outward appearance?” The American Standard Version makes this into a statement: “Ye look at the things before your face.” His accusers were saying that was not pleasing to the eye. They tried to turn members of the church away based on the appearance of the preacher. Some make quick unfair judgments of a preacher based on his looks. But Jesus said, “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” (John 7:24.) Keep in mind, the greatest preacher who ever lived was not much to behold: “He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.” (Isa. 53:2.)
Paul could have boasted of his apostolic authority, which had been given to him to edify the church, but it might be the case that he would have to use his powers for destruction. You know he blinded Elymas, the sorcerer, who had attempted to turn away Sergius Paulus from the truth (Acts 13: 8-12). The situation at Corinth might have called for discipline in a destructive sense.
These false apostles undermined Paul’s work at Corinth by saying his letters were severe and powerful, yet he was weak and a terrible speaker when he was here. In other words, he was a coward. He was not like the Greek orators. If memory serves me right ( and it does not always), brother J. A. McNutt talked to sister in Christ who was lauding a certain preacher for his booming voice. Brother Mac said something like: Well, a mule has a strong voice too. How often do we misjudge a preacher based on his voice? Are we too critical about how something is said rather than upholding the truth that is said? When was the last time you expressed appreciation for the truth that was taught?
Paul answered these so-called ministers of righteousness by saying, “Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present.” (2 Cor. 10:11.) If I might paraphrase Paul: The way I write when I am absent is how I will be in your presence. I will be just as bold in person as I am in my letter. Just wait and see.
The problem with these false teachers was that they were comparing themselves with each other: measuring themselves by themselves. They were commending themselves for how great they were. They estimated their greatness by the opinion that they had formed of themselves. They used the wrong standard. They had ego problems. They thought more highly of themselves than they should have thought. It is still true with false teachers today. If they even looked into the mirror of God’s word, they quickly go their way, forgetting how they indeed are. James says, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” (James 4:10.) “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Matt. 16:24.) It is that first step that is hard: Denial of self. These false teachers were not thinking about the welfare of the church; they were thinking of themselves. Pride is still a problem today.