2 Corinthians 10:6

4 ^aFor the weapons ^bof our warfare are not carnal but ^cmighty in God ^dfor pulling down strongholds,

5 ^acasting 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 ^aand being ready to punish all disobedience when ^byour obedience is fulfilled.

Reality of Paul’s Authority

7 ^aDo you look at things according to the outward appearance? ^bIf anyone is convinced in himself that he is Christ’s, let him again consider this in himself, that just as he is Christ’s, even¹ so ^cwe are Christ’s.

8 For even if I should boast somewhat more ^aabout our authority, which the Lord gave¹ us for edification and not for your destruction, ^bI shall not be ashamed—

9 lest I seem to terrify you by letters.

10 “For his letters,” they say, “are weighty and powerful, but ^ahis bodily presence is weak, and his ^bspeech contemptible.”

11 Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such we will also be in deed when we are present.

Limits of Paul’s Authority

12 ^aFor we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

13 ^aWe, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us—a sphere which especially includes you.

Commentaries:

Adam Clarke

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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 military. Allusion is made to a strongly fortified city, where the enemy had made his last stand; entrenching himself about the walls; strengthening all his redoubts and ramparts; raising castles, towers, and various engines of defense and offense upon the walls; and neglecting nothing that might tend to render his strong hold impregnable. The army of God comes against the place and attacks it; the strong holds , all the fortified places, are carried. The imaginations, , engines, and whatever the imagination or skill of man could raise, are speedily taken and destroyed. Every high thing, ̔ , all the castles and towers are sapped, thrown down and demolished; the walls are battered into breaches; and the besieging army, carrying every thing at the point of the sword, enter the city, storm and take the citadel. Every where defeated, the conquered submit, and are brought into captivity, , are led away captives; and thus the whole government is destroyed.

It is easy to apply these things, as far as may be consistent with the apostle' s design. The general sense I have given in the preceding notes.

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