2 Corinthians 10:1-6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 10:3

Though we walk in the flesh - That is: Although I am in the common condition of human nature, and must live as a human being, yet I do not war after the flesh - I do not act the coward or the poltroon, as they insinuate. I have a good cause, a good captain, strength at will, and courage at hand. I neither fear them nor their master. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 10:4

The weapons of our warfare - The apostle often uses the metaphor of a warfare to represent the life and trials of a Christian minister. See Ephesians 6:10-17 ; 1 Timothy 1:18 ; 2 Timothy 2:3-5 . Are not carnal - Here he refers to the means used by the false apostle in order to secure his party; he calumniated St. Paul, traduced the truth, preached false and licentious doctrines, and supported these with sophistical reasonings. But mighty through God - Our doctrines are true and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 10:5

Casting down imaginations - Λογισμους· Reasonings or opinions. The Greek philosophers valued themselves especially on their ethic systems, in which their reasonings appeared to be very profound and conclusive; but they were obliged to assume principles which were either such as did not exist, or were false in themselves, as the whole of their mythologic system most evidently was: truly, from what remains of them we see that their metaphysics were generally bombast; and as to their... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 10:6

And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience - I am ready, through this mighty armor of God, to punish those opposers of the doctrine of Christ, and the disobedience which has been produced by them. When your obedience is fulfilled - When you have in the fullest manner, discountenanced those men, and separated yourselves from their communion. The apostle was not in haste to pull up the tares, lest he should pull up the wheat also. All the terms in these two verses are... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 10:1

Verse 1 Having finished his exhortation, he now proceeds partly to refute the calumnies with which he had been defamed by the false apostles, and partly to repress the insolence (740) of certain wicked persons, who could not bear to be under restraint. Both parties, with the view of destroying Paul’s authority, construed the vehemence with which he thundered in his Epistles to be θρασοδειλίαν — (mere bravado,) (741) because when present he was not equally prepared to show himself off in... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 10:2

Verse 2 2.I beseech you, that I may not be bold, when I am present. Some think, that the discourse is incomplete, and that he does not express the matter of his request. (746) I am rather of opinion, however, that what was wanting in the former clause is here completed, so that it is a general exhortation. “Show yourselves docile and tractable towards me, that I may not be constrained to be more severe.” It is the duty of a good pastor to allure his sheep peacefully and kindly, that they may... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 10:3

Verse 3 3.For though we walk in the flesh. Walking in the flesh means here — living it the world; or, as he expresses it elsewhere, being at home in the body. (2 Corinthians 5:6.) For he was shut up in the prison of his body. This, however, did not prevent the influence of the Holy Spirit from showing itself marvelously in his weakness. There is here again a kind of concession, which, at the same time, is of no service to his adversaries. Those war according to the flesh, who attempt nothing... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 10:4

Verse 4 4.For the weapons of our warfare. The warfare corresponds with the kind of weapons. He glories in being furnished with spiritual weapons. The warfare, accordingly, is spiritual. Hence it follows by way of contraries, (755) that it is not according to the flesh In comparing the ministry of the gospel to a warfare, he uses a most apt similitude. The life of a Christian, it is true, is a perpetual warfare, for whoever gives himself to the service of God will have no truce from Satan at any... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 10:5

Verse 5 5.And bring into captivity I am of opinion, that, having previously spoken more particularly of the conflict of spiritual armor, along with the hinderances that rise up in opposition to the gospel of Christ, he now, on the other hand, speaks of the ordinary preparation, by which men must be brought into subjection to him. For so long as we rest in our own judgment, and are wise in our own estimation, we are far from having made any approach to the doctrine of Christ. Hence we must set... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 10:6

Verse 6 6.And are in readiness to avenge. This he adds, lest insolent men should presumptuously lift themselves up in opposition to his ministry, as if they could do so with impunity. Hence he says, that power had been given him — not merely for constraining voluntary disciples to subjection to Christ, but also for inflicting vengeance upon the rebellious, (759) and that his threats were not empty bugbears, (760) but had the execution quite in readiness — to use the customary expression. Now... read more

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