Paul’s Second Letter
to the Corinthians: DAY 27
READ 2 Corinthians 10
In your journal, write
down the things that stick out to you from today’s Bible reading. Respond to
what God shows you as you feel led.
Finally, Paul begins to directly confront those who have
risen up against him. He wants them to come to repentance before he comes in
person to judge them. Paul mentions two things that his adversaries have
accused him of: 1) that he walks according to the flesh, and 2) that his
physical presence and speaking abilities are weak. Paul declares that he
walks in the flesh but does not wage
war according to the flesh. He has
the spiritual weapons to bring down every lofty and untrue opinion about his
apostleship, making each thought obedient to Christ. He makes it clear that the
opposition towards him is opposition to the knowledge of God. Paul is ready to
punish disobedience in the Corinthian church if need be, though he earnestly
desires to see repentance.
Paul
returns to a key theme throughout his letters: “let the one who boasts, boast
in the Lord.” Paul reminds the church that he and his companions were the first
to bring the gospel to the Corinthians – it was not as though he has no track
record there! His hope is that their faith might increase and that his area of
influence may be enlarged to reach people and places beyond Corinth. It is not
the one who commends himself that is approved, but only he whom the Lord
commends.
PRAYER AND MEDITATION
1.
Take note of how Paul has defended
himself in this and previous chapters. Notice his motives behind defending
himself. How is this different than times when you have defended yourself
against slander?
2.
What is one weakness (not a sin) you
have that you feel hinders your ability to be an effective minister. Give this
weakness to God
3.
It was unfortunate that Paul had to
deal with this rebellion issue in the Corinthian church. What he really wanted
was to see the gospel spread even further beyond the borders of Corinth. Is
there anything in your life that is hindering God from using you to be a light
in a certain person or place? If so, make a point to deal with this issue.
