2 Corinthians 10:3

3 For [although we] are living in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh,

2 Corinthians 10:3 Meaning and Commentary

2 Corinthians 10:3

For though we walk in the flesh
The apostle removes the calumny of walking after the flesh, by owning that they were in the flesh, in the body, in a state of imperfection, attended with many weaknesses and infirmities, and surrounded with a variety of afflictions and sorrows; in this sense they were, and lived and walked in the flesh; but then he denies the charge exhibited against them,

we do not war after the flesh:
every Christian's life is a warfare with Satan, and his principalities and powers, with the world, the men and lusts of it, and with the corruptions of their own hearts; and much more is the life of a minister of the Gospel, who is called forth to meet the adversary in the gate; to stand in the hottest place of the battle, and sustain the whole fire and artillery of the enemy; to fight the good fight of faith, endure hardness as a good soldier of Christ, and with the weapons he is furnished with to war a good warfare: which is not done "after the flesh"; in such a manner as the men of the world wage war with one another; or upon carnal principles; or with carnal selfish views; or in a weak way and manner; but in a spiritual way, with all simplicity and disinterested views, with great courage and intrepidity of mind.

2 Corinthians 10:3 In-Context

1 Now I, Paul, appeal to you myself by the humility and gentleness of Christ, who {when I am present in person} [am] humble among you, but [when I] am absent am bold toward you--

2 now I ask [when I] am present [that I will] not [need] to be bold with the confidence [with] which I propose to show boldness toward some who consider us as behaving according to the flesh.

3 For [although we] are living in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh,

4 for the weapons of our warfare [are] not merely human, but powerful to God for the tearing down of fortresses, tearing down arguments

5 and all pride that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.

Footnotes

• [a] *Here "[although]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("are living") which is understood as concessive