2 Corinthians 10 Study Notes

10:11 If the situation required, Paul would not hesitate to exercise his God-given authority (13:2).

10:12 The false apostles were good at self-promotion, or commending themselves. For people to use themselves as the standard for evaluating their ministry shows that they lack understanding.

10:13 Paul’s standard of self-evaluation was the extent to which he had obeyed God’s call on his life, rather than comparing himself to others. The word area suggests either an agricultural image (a measured-out field to be planted and harvested) or an athletic image (a marked-out lane in which to run; vv. 15-16).

10:14-15 The Corinthians’ own conversion experience was proof of Paul’s obedience to God’s call.

10:16 Paul understood his ministry as essentially that of a pioneer church planter. He may have already been planning to go to Spain, or the regions beyond (Rm 15:28).

10:17 The phrase let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord is a summary of Jr 9:24. Jeremiah 9 prophesied the coming destruction of Judah, a people rich in external appearances but lacking in the true knowledge of God and his holy character. Paul’s application to the present situation in Corinth implied that he knew God, but the false apostles did not.

10:18 The one the Lord commends refers to the judgment seat of Christ (5:10).