Last week I was with my mom in Seattle as she recuperated from anti-reflux surgery. She is recovering nicely!

Unimpressive 

2 Corinthians 10  

For though we walk in the flesh we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses, 10:3. 

After a long section on giving in chapters 8,9, Paul goes back to dealing with the treachery of the false teachers who have infiltrated the Corinthians church. (Now don’t get bored with this continuing subject. Paul is about to reveal some happenings in his life that are extraordinary). They attempted to usurp Paul’s leadership and destroy his reputation. But because of his love for the people, Paul couldn’t look the other way. The essence of the criticism that Paul is confronting here is found in verse 10; 

“For they say, ‘his letters are weighty, but his personal presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible.”  

If you recall from our background study, Paul went to visit Corinth with hopes to set things right after the false teachers had caused such a disruption. It seems he went with gentleness and meekness, not seeking a fight.  He appealed gently to the people whom he had previously been so close and intimate with. This visit broke his heart because those who were his loyal followers turned on him and the false teachers humiliated him. He departed disparaged and discouraged.  

He was then compelled to write a severe letter in which he ‘went for broke’ in a ‘do-or-die’ effort to shake them out of their deception and rebellion against him. This severe letter had a profound effect as Titus attested to after he delivered the letter on his visit to Corinth. Many returned to full devotion to Paul and to his teaching. 

Now, in a desperate attempt, the false teachers are increasing their criticism of Paul in order to regain the majority. (These occurrences are deduced by piecing together Paul’s writings). Thus, the criticism from the false teachers was something like, ‘Paul is bold in writing but weak in person.’  

So, Paul does what many of us do when we are facing criticism. He inserts sarcasm. Really! 

Now, who among my readers appreciates a little sarcasm, when used with wit and timing? I know I do. So, understanding the background, consider Paul’s opening line in this chapter, verse 1:  

“Now, I Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ – I who am meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent!”  

This opening line is dripping with sarcasm. I love it! 

Basically, he belittled their criticism of him, (his presence is unimpressive, lacks charisma, his oratorical skills were rough, he lacks bravado and is just plain unimpressive) by saying he is just like Jesus, who is MEEK AND GENTLE. 

Paul is turning the tables on them and saying that perhaps meekness and gentleness is not such a despicable quality for a minister of Christ. Afterall, Jesus himself was such. Paul follows up his sarcastic opening with a statement that they are incorrectly regarding him as though he walks in the flesh. Naturally, in their society as in ours, charisma, confidence and bravado are regarded as keys to leadership. But Paul reaffirms in verse 3 the following;  

“for though we live in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.”  

Paul’s turns upside down the false teacher’s claims that they are truly “from God” because they are confident, articulate and strong. On the other hand, the qualities of meekness and gentleness are the spiritual qualities that will bring down all fortresses set up against God. More on meekness and gentleness next time.  

Our prayer 

Lord, we need your wisdom and strength to stand against the philosophies of our age. Yes, we live in the flesh but I ask that You renew our minds to think bionically and spiritually day by day. May we live by the qualities of the fruit of the Spirit and not be consumed with the fleeting whims of this world. Amen!