In 2 Corinthians 10:6, Paul states, “And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.” At first, this might seem harsh, but upon reflection, it appears more as an observation on Paul’s part. If a group lacks a moral foundation, there is no standard to hold a disobedient person accountable. However, if the group as a whole adheres to Paul’s teachings (thus having a moral basis), it becomes easier to point out disobedience. Today, it seems rare to see disobedient Christians being called out within the church. Whether this is a cultural shift or something churches should practice more is unclear.
Paul had valid reasons to discipline the Corinthians based on his charges against them. Their distorted view of Christianity is exposed in these chapters, as outlined here:
1. They believed they lived by worldly standards (10:2).
2. They thought they belonged to Christ more than the apostles (10:7b).
3. They believed pulling others down was a way to build righteousness (10:8).
4. They were captivated by good speaking abilities (10:10-11).
5. They commended themselves (10:12).
6. They compared themselves to themselves (10:12).
7. They boasted beyond what they should (10:14).
8. They took credit for work done by others (10:15).
9. They thought they were approved by God because they commended themselves (10:18).
10. They were easily manipulated by outside influences (11:20).
11. They believed a gift’s acceptability was based on the giver’s wealth (8:12).
In 2 Corinthians 10:7-8, some were accusing Paul of not being sent from Christ or living Christ-like, deeming him too authoritarian. However, Paul asserts that he is not ashamed of his teachings because he knows they are a gift from God. He spent three years with Christ before embarking on his missionary journeys, receiving his teachings directly from Christ. Similarly, Moses received his messages directly from God, yet others, including his own family, rejected his authority.
Claiming divine authority is a tall order. Today, with the biblical canon closed, one should be cautious if someone makes such a claim, especially if it contradicts the Word of God. It is essential to understand the Corinthians’ mindset, as detailed earlier. In chapter 11, Paul highlights how he differs from the so-called ‘super apostles.’ Despite their impressive title, Paul contends that these ‘super apostles’ are actually false prophets, working for Satan.
The Corinthians, not Paul, regarded these false apostles as ‘super.’ They had been deceived. This deception can be likened to the evil Sauron from ‘The Lord of the Rings,’ who used deceptive rings to control various races. These ‘super apostles’ similarly use fancy words and seductive theology to promise power through a secret connection to God, ultimately controlled by Satan.
To avoid being misled by today’s ‘super apostles,’ one must prepare their mind before encountering them. Focusing on Christ allows one to reject false theology. However, our minds often stray from the Holy Spirit’s teachings. If we adopt the Corinthians’ misguided beliefs, we become vulnerable to ‘super apostles.’
The best defense is to know the Father and to bear fruit in doing so. Consider this passage:
Matthew 7:15-23 (NIV)
15 “Be on your guard against false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravaging wolves. 16 You’ll recognize them by their fruit. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit; neither can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19 Every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So you’ll recognize them by their fruit.
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, drive out demons in your name, and do many miracles in your name?’ 23 Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you lawbreakers!
Jesus says that bearing fruit is a key component to knowing if someone is in Christ. These false prophets and these ‘super apostles’ are ravaging wolves. This is a stark difference from what we would expect a Christian to act like.
All of us would recognize a ravaging wolf. But, not all of us would recognize one who come in sheep clothing and says all the right things we want to hear.
We bear fruit through His Word, prayer, a life of servitude, and being part of a community of believers. The book of Hebrews advises us not to give up meeting together. Why? Because giving up on meeting together is the first step on giving up on God and Christianity all together.
Starting from 11:19 to the end of the chapter, Paul emphasizes his weaknesses, comparing himself to others who boast about their holiness or persecution. By the end of the chapter, Paul demonstrates that no one in Corinth has suffered more than he has.
Though Paul may seem boastful, he uses sarcasm to highlight that the focus should not be on us. What matters is the Kingdom of God. Paul prefers to focus on his weaknesses compared to God’s greatness. Our earthly weaknesses are transformed into strengths when we are in Christ Jesus. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Paul recounts Jesus Christ telling him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Understanding the intricate relationship between our body, soul, and spirit, and how it relates to our connection with the Trinity, can be challenging. On one hand, our bodies serve as temples where Christ dwells. The Holy Spirit lives within us, marking us with a seal that guarantees our entrance into the Kingdom. Yet, despite our fleshly weaknesses, our failures, our moments of doubt, and our sinful pride, Christ transforms all these into a power He uses for His Kingdom.
Amazingly, this power is made perfect through our weaknesses! How this happens, I cannot fathom. But this profound mystery is greater than the parting of the Red Sea or the creation of the world. This is the true power of the Cross.
Yes, the forgiveness of sins is extraordinary and significant. But the fact that He used the power of the Cross—which is mightier than all the power in the cosmos—to create a place within my soul where God can dwell right beside my sinful, prideful, flawed flesh, is the pinnacle of this power. And somehow, He makes His power perfect through this union. It is truly mind-blowing.
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