ELNORA’S BIBLE STUDY WITH FRIENDS, 2 Corinthians 10, February 28, 2025

        

Context for Chapter 10

2 Corinthians chapter 10 continues the pattern of Paul's letter, as he deals with one topic after another. After concluding his comments about the contribution to the Christians in Jerusalem, Paul tackles a personal charge against him: that he is too unimpressive in person to be a true apostle of Christ. He is fighting a spriritual war for the minds of the Corinthians and their obedience to Christ and will not stoop to the blatant self-promotion of the false apostles. We will see the counter of the false teachers continue into chapter 11. (https://www.bibleref.com/2-Corinthians/10/2-Corinthians-chapter-10.html)

Paul Defends His Authority, Part 1, Verses 1-6, KESHIA

1Now I, Paul, appeal to you with the gentleness and kindness of Christ—though I realize you think I am timid in person and bold only when I write from far away. 2 Well, I am begging you now so that when I come I won’t have to be bold with those who think we act from human motives. 3 We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 4 [a]We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. 6 And after you have become fully obedient, we will punish everyone who remains disobedient.

^{SECTION QUESTIONS:} 

1. How did Paul demonstrate the gentleness and kindness of Christ to the Corinthians? 

2. Reflection: Would your friends say that you are gentle and meek? Or are you harsh and quick-tempered? Pray that God will give you a humble heart like our Lord.

3. What is the difference between gentleness and humility & tolerance for sin? 

4. Let's talk about verse 4. What is Paul saying here? 

Paul Defends His Authority, Part 2, Verses 7-12, DESTINY

7 Look at the obvious facts.[b] Those who say they belong to Christ must recognize that we belong to Christ as much as they do. 8 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. 9 I’m not trying to frighten you by my letters. 10 For some say, “Paul’s letters are demanding and forceful, but in person he is weak, and his speeches are worthless!” 11 Those people should realize that our actions when we arrive in person will be as forceful as what we say in our letters from far away. 12 Oh, don’t worry; we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But, they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant!

^{SECTION QUESTIONS:} 

5. Why do you think Paul continued to be so bold and confident and not be ashamed to continue with his teachings to the church of Corinth despite their rejection and criticism?

6. Why does Paul say these other men are ignorant? Why does he call them ignorant? 

7. Paul called them ignorant. Could he have used the word stupid? Is this the same or different? 

Paul Defends His Authority, Part 3, Verses 13-18, TEANNIE

13 We will not boast about things done outside our area of authority. We will boast only about what has happened within the boundaries of the work God has given us, which includes our working with you. 14 We are not reaching beyond these boundaries when we claim authority over you, as if we had never visited you. For we were the first to travel all the way to Corinth with the Good News of Christ. 15 Nor do we boast and claim credit for the work someone else has done. Instead, we hope that your faith will grow so that the boundaries of our work among you will be extended. 16 Then we will be able to go and preach the Good News in other places far beyond you, where no one else is working. Then there will be no question of our boasting about work done in someone else’s territory. 17 As the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the LORD.” 18 When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them.

^{SECTION QUESTIONS:} 

8. What did Paul remind the Corinthians of in verse 14? 

9. What can we learn about Paul's goal in verse 15? 

10. What is the lesson about communication we can learn from our study today? 

Ephesians 6:11-1

 The weapons mentioned abovein the above scripture include:

• Belt of truth
• Breastplate of righteousness
• Shoes of the gospel of peace
• Shield of faith
• Helmet of salvation
• Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God
• Prayer

      We operate these weapons in the spiritual realm. Each one tells us an important part of the qualities of the Christian warrior. We must fight for truth. Only truth can set us free. We must live righteous lives, saying “no” to and fleeing temptation. We must go into the world and take the gospel of peace to the lost, bringing them out of the kingdom of darkness and into the kingdom of light. We must believe God’s promises. As we do the faith in His Word will quench Satan’s fiery attacks. We must put on the helmet of salvation. With this, we identify ourselves as warriors for the Lord. The Word of God will be our offensive weapon to go on the attack and break down those enemy strongholds controlling the minds of the unbelieving. And at all times, we must pray, humbly depending on God to intervene on our behalf. (https://studyandobey.com/inductive-bible-study/2-corinthians/2-corinthians-10-1-6/Prayer )

                                              Confessions for 2 Corinthians, Chapter 10

“Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:” (2 Corinthians 10:4)

Heavenly Father, thank You for the message and ministry of Paul. I pray that like Paul, I may be meek and gentle in my Christian witness, while being ready and willing to lovingly challenge false teachers, fearlessly expose false doctrines, earnestly contend for the faith, preach the word in season and out of season, and be ready to give an answer for the hope I have in Christ. I pray for wisdom and discernment so that I may not be tossed about by any wind of doctrine, but able to stand fast on the Word of truth. In Jesus' name, AMEN.

“(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)” (2 Corinthians 10:4)

Heavenly Father, there are many that seek to demolish the truth of the glorious gospel of Christ through scornful sarcasm and ill-imagined philosophies. Thank You that in Christ, we have the Word of God and the power of prayer to demolish any long-winded, ungodly opinions of men with their impressive credentials and dismissive policies. May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart reflect the truth of Your Word. May I depend on You to bring down all the strongholds and arguments that are fired against me that seek to discredit the truth of the glorious gospel of God. This I ask in Jesus' name, AMEN.

“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 Corinthians 10:5)

Loving Father, too often my thoughts are not kept in captivity to obey You. Help me to become more and more captivated with Christ so that all else melts away as I gaze on the beauty of His presence within my heart. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.

Source: https://prayer.knowing-jesus.com/2-Corinthians/10