2 Corinthians 10:3

3 For we walking in the flesh, fight not after 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 And I myself Paul beseech you, by the mildness and softness of Christ [+Forsooth I Paul beseech you, by the gentleness, or mildness, and softness, or patience, of Christ], which in the face am meek among you, and I absent trust in you.

2 For I pray you, that lest I present be not bold by the trust, in which I am guessed to be bold into some, that deem us, as if we wander after the flesh. [+Forsooth, I pray you, that I present be not hardy by that trust, in which I am guessed to be hardy into some, which deem us, as (if) we wandered after the flesh.]

3 For we walking in the flesh, fight not after the flesh.

4 For the arms of our knighthood be not fleshly, but mighty by God to the destruction of strengths [to the destruction of wardings, or strengths].

5 And we destroy counsels, and all highness that higheth itself against the science of God, and drive into captivity all understanding into the service of Christ. [+Destroying counsels, and all highness raising itself against the science of God, and driving into captivity all understanding into the service of Christ.]