In these 6 verses Paul
launched an assault as a Christian warrior. His preference was to appeal to
them in meekness and gentleness like Christ. He would rather show this side of
him but he would not hesitate to deal with those recalcitrant who were
destroying the work of God, which was achieved through him in Corinth.
Among other things, his
opponents were accusing him of being bold only when not present in person but
when there was a face to face confrontation, he would be meek. While his
opponents used this with negative connotation, Paul turned it for his
advantage. Paul must have felt flattered that they would see him to be meek and
gentle like Christ. And indeed he would rather be that way but he was afraid he
might have to show boldness instead. His critics
must have also accused him of operating in the flesh. They had the audacity to
accuse him of behaving sinfully. Perhaps Paul here was thinking of the accusations
made against him mentioned in the earlier chapters. Things such as Paul
vacillated (2 Corinthian 1:17); that he was lording over them (2 Corinthians 1:24);
that he was profiting himself from the way he dealt with the finance (2 Corinthians
12:16), and a host of other things not detailed by Paul.
Paul could no longer remain passive and ignore so many negative
criticisms hurled against him. He maintained that in this earthly life, he would
not fight with his flesh. If he had to fight, the weapon he would use would be
spiritual weapon, not fleshly carnal weapons. He was sure that the weapons he
used have divine power behind them. They are capable of destroying very strong fortresses
built by the enemies, a military metaphor. In using these terms: fortresses, lofty
things raised up against the knowledge of God, and captives; he was referring
to ideas, opinions and speculations and not people or physical structures. He
was afraid that they might turn from the wisdom of the crucified Christ to a
lower way of life, disguised as wisdom. The apostle did not assassinate the
characters of his opponent but rather their ideas and points of view. His
primary objective was to have their lofty thoughts debunked and their thoughts
once again brought to obey Christ. Paul was referring only to those errant ones
who were disobedient. So in verse 6 he warned that he would not hesitate to
punish those who were disobedient.
Today we are still warring against false beliefs and non-biblical practices
that trouble the church. With the proliferation of all kinds of erroneous teachings
and claims, how should we respond? What weapons should we use to fight this war?
We should collaborate with the leadership of the church and seek God and know
His truth. This would enable us to know how to use spiritual weapons, divinely
empowered to deal with these speculations.
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