2 Corinthians 10:1-6
The Spiritual War
10 Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you.
2 But I beg you that when I am present I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
5 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,
6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
Context
- How does Paul change his tone from gracious ‘giving’ to gracious ‘living’? (2 Corinthians 9:6-15, 10:1, 2)
Reflection
- Describe the ‘meekness & gentleness’ of Christ? Does meekness mean weakness? (Psalm 86:15, Matthew 5:5, 11:29, John 2:14- 17, 13:1, 4, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5)
- How did Paul (& believers)walk ‘in’ the flesh but not ‘according to’ the flesh? (Romans 8:4-8, 2 Corinthians 5:16, 17, 10:3, Galatians 5:16, 17)
- What are the weapons of our warfare? (Matthew 17:20, 21, Acts 13:8-12, Romans 13:14, 2 Corinthians 6:6, 7, Ephesians 6:13-18)
- Why must we ‘take every thought captive’ and demolish strongholds? (Psalm 1:2, 46:1, 119:1, 9-11, Proverbs 18:10, James 4:7)
Testimony Time
- What strongholds in your life need tearing down?
- How can I live in His ‘gospel’ power and take up His armor in the battle for souls? (Romans 1:16, 6:1-7, Galatians 5:23- 25, Hebrews 12:1, 2, 15, James 4:6-10)