2 Corinthians 10

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Paul Vindicates Himself to the False Teachers

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. Believers should not fight with weapons of the flesh.

  2. Believers should not take credit for the work of another.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Don’t let any thought escape!

QUESTIONS

  1. What is the subject of 2 Corinthians 10?

  2. Who were these false teachers? Were they believers?

  3. What accusations did the false teachers make against Paul?

  4. What weapons of the flesh did the false teachers find important?

  5. How does 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 relate to this passage?

ANSWERS

  1. Some false teachers had infiltrated the Corinthian church and they were questioning and undermining Paul’s authority. Here Paul resumes his response to their attacks.

  2. They were probably Judaizers from Jerusalem preaching the importance of keeping the Law of Moses. There were probably some believers and some unbelievers in the group.

  3. In chapter 1 they accused Paul of vacillating in his plans. In chapter 3 they said Paul did not have the proper letters of commendation. Here they said that while Paul wrote powerful letters, he did not back them up with power and he did not have an impressive personal presence befitting an apostle.

  4. Eloquence, looks, and impressive credentials

  5. 1 Corinthians 12 teaches that there are different kinds of spiritual gifts, different ministries where these gifts are used, and different effects that God gives. 2 Corinthians 10 adds that there are also different spheres of service that God gives.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Paul saw his conflict with the false teachers as spiritual warfare. This perspective allowed him to approach the conflict with the right weapons. What are the weapons of spiritual warfare? Refer to Ephesians 6:12-18.

  2. What sphere of service has God given you for ministry? How has He specially equipped you to fill this niche?

CHALLENGE

  1. Did you know God knows your inner thoughts? Strive this week to work on making your thought life pleasing to Him.

KEY VERSES

  • “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.” 2 Corinthians 10:3

  • “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:4-5

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