look on . Greek. blepo. App-13 . outward appearance . Greek. prosopon, as in 2 Corinthians 10:1 . If . App-118 . any man = any one. Greek. tis . App-123 . trust. Greek. peitho. App-150 . of = from. Greek. apo . App-104 . All texts save L give epi with genitive App-104 . even so are we = so are we also. read more
Ye look at the things which are before your face. If any man trusteth in himself that he is Christ's, let him consider this again with himself, that, even as he is Christ's, so also are we.Ye look at what is before your eyes ... should be understood as imperative, as in RSV, "Look at what is before your eyes," giving the meaning of "Take a look at what is obvious."[8]If any man ... "This probably refers to an outstanding example of the false apostles who had gone to Corinth to try to supplant... read more
7. Do ye regard mere outward appearance (mere external recommendations, personal appearance, voice, manner, oratory of teachers present face to face, such as they admired in the false teachers to the disparagement of Paul, 2 Corinthians 10:10; see on 2 Corinthians 10:10- :)? Even in outward bearing when I shall be present with you (in contrast to "by letters," 2 Corinthians 10:10- :) I will show that I am more really armed with the authority of Christ, than those who arrogate to themselves the... read more
IV. APPEALS CONCERNING PAUL’S APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY 10:1-13:10In this third and last major division of his epistle the apostle Paul defended his apostolic authority. He did this to silence his critics in Corinth and perhaps elsewhere permanently and to confirm the united support of the Christians there. One of Paul’s major purposes in writing this letter was to prepare the way for his next visit. He had just referred to that "anticipated visit" (2 Corinthians 9:3-4). Consequently he felt... read more
A. Replies to charges made against Paul 10:1-18Paul responded to charges of cowardice, weakness, and intrusion that one or more critics in Corinth had evidently leveled against him. Failure to submit to apostolic authority could have dangerous consequences, such as disregarding his inspired writings. It was to spare his beloved readers from these ill effects that Paul wrote as he did, not out of a carnal sense of wounded pride. read more
The Corinthian Christians tended to evaluate the claims of Paul’s critics superficially. The apostle urged them to look below the surface. At least one critic seems to have been claiming that he had received apostolic authority from Christ that was every bit as binding as Paul’s, if not more binding. Paul did not dispute this claim here but simply argued that his own authority was from Christ. The critic and Paul both claimed to belong to Christ as His apostles. It was unfair for the... read more
2. Reply to the charge of weakness 10:7-11As Paul defended himself against the charge of cowardice leveled by his critics, so he also claimed ability to deal forcefully with them in person as well as by letter. He referred to this to explain his conduct further and to urge obedience to his commands. read more
10:7 appearance? (l-7) See ver. 1. read more
(B) Chapters 10-13. St. Paul’s Defence of his MinistryAs explained in the Introduction, this section is regarded as part of the intermediate letter, referred to in 2 Corinthians 2:3-4 and 2 Corinthians 7:8, in which the Apostle rebuked his converts, and sought to bring them to repentance. It is, therefore, to be taken as earlier in time than 2 Corinthians 1-9, which were written as the result of the Corinthians’ reception of the intermediate or ’severe’ letter.Here the Apostle answers the... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 10:1-18
10:1-13:14 APOSTOLIC AUTHORITYIn spite of all Paul has said, there were still trouble-makers at Corinth. Certain travelling preachers had gained some standing in the church and continued to make accusations against Paul. Paul refers to them ironically as ‘super apostles’, and more directly as ‘false apostles’ (see 11:5,13).Spiritual power; worthless boasting (10:1-18)These so-called apostles repeatedly questioned the authority of Paul and succeeded in winning some of the Corinthians over to... read more