2 Corinthians 10

What does this chapter say to you?  What is it about?

V 1 How can someone be both timid and bold? Is Paul being “two faced”? Is this hypocritical, cowardly? When he is face to face does he “play it safe?” How does he want the Corinthians to respond?

Is V1 really a response to V10?

Is he showing the “humility and gentleness of Christ”?  See Philippians 2:5-8.  Matthew 11:29.

V 2 What must have happened if Paul will not have to be as bold as he expects to be? Why does he expect to be bold? Does Paul show signs of living by the standards of this world - do some Corinthians? Can this happen - how? See Ephesians 6:12. 

V 3 1 Thessalonians 5:8. 1 Corinthians 5:9-12. Can you give examples of the two types of weapons Paul refers to? Is the reference to war too strong? 

• Instead of the belt of truth, they fought with manipulation.
• Instead of the breastplate of righteousness, they fought with the image of success.
• Instead of the shoes of the gospel, they fought with smooth words.
• Instead of the shield of faith, they fought with the perception of power.
• Instead of the helmet of salvation, they fought with lording over authority.
• Instead of the sword of the Spirit, they fought with human schemes and programs.

V 4-5 Are we winning the war? What is meant by strongholds - are they being demolished? What are examples of argument obstacles and pretension? What are these trying to stop? How are they countered? Does this indicate there had been false teachers in Corinth?

What is Paul’s response to these? (See V5) Is Paul suggesting a counterattack? Is he suggesting indoctrination?

V 6 Is this a “bold” statement in the letter? Are they empty threats? See V9.

Do people like the idea of having their disobedience punished, their thoughts captive and obedient to Christ? (Romans 12:1-2) Or being obedient to Christ? See 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.

Why would the punishment of disobedience follow their obedience being complete?

Does this letter indicate that there were strongholds among them to be demolished? Was there disobedience to be corrected and obedience to be complete? Does this have personal relevance?

Have you seen any acts of disobedience in a church? Was it punished? Could you take part in such a thing?

(See example in 1 Corinthians 5:1-5)

V 7 “You are judging by appearances” OR “look what’s before your eyes” OR “Do you look at things according to the outward appearance?” OR “look at the obvious facts”. What is “worldly” about such actions?  See 1 Samuel 16:7. Romans 8:27. Luke 16:15.

Who is he addressing here? Who is judging and who is being judged? Is there a warning about “spiritual superiority”? About having your own spiritual checkup?

V 8 Did Paul shamelessly boast about anything? What was it? Was he right to do so?

See 2 Corinthians 11:30; 12:5. Ephesians 2:9. 2 Corinthians 1:14. 1 Corinthians 1:31. Galatians 6:14.

Paul wrote confidently and without shame about the authority he had.  Was he right to do so? What was the purpose of this authority? I Timothy 3:16. 2 Peter 1:20)

V 9-11 Paul does not set out to frighten people in his letters. Some people thought he did. Why would his letters frighten people? Were they judging Paul (as the world judges) by appearances? What warning does he give them?

Could V10 be an honest description?

Is V11 threatening? If so, what is the threat? See V6.

V 12 In V3 Paul talks of war.  Does V12 sound warlike? Is Paul competitive?  How does this fit with 1 Timothy 6:12? Why is it unwise to compare ourselves with one and other? See Proverbs 16:18. Are compliments OK? 

V 13 Do we all have a limit apportioned to us to keep to? Does this set the bounds of our authority - or responsibility? What was such a limit Paul had?

V 14 What did Paul do and NOT do according to his limits? Does this make him special to the Corinthians?

V 15 Paul does not boast about himself - what else does he not boast about? Is he avoiding making comments at all?

Has he finished his work with the Corinthians?

V 16 Does his work with the Corinthians impact on other people? Did Paul plan on boasting about the Corinthians? Did he ever? See 2 Corinthians 9:2.

V 17-18 Who was the centre of Paul’s attention?  Whose approval did he seek? See Jeremiah 9:23-24.