Continuing from chapter 9, 2Cor.10 and verse 1 reads.
2Cor.10:1] Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:
Paul is saying that it may sound bold, but when I’m with you, you will understand.
2Cor.10:2] But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
That shield (Faith) in our left hand and that sword (God’s Word) in our right hand.
2Cor.10:3] For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
Let me remind you of Ephesians 6:12 and it reads.
Eph.6:12] For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Back to 2Cor.10 and verse 4 reads.
2Cor.10:4] (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
[5] Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Fighting against the wicked in this world, some even from the pulpits. False teachers.
2Cor.10:6] And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
[7] Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ’s, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ’s, even so are we Christ’s.
Christians means Christ’s Men. And men of God use the Word to correct other Christians.
2Cor.10:8] For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:
Edify is to correct others, discipline. We do this not to lord over you but with love.
2Cor.10:9] That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.
[10] For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.
These letters are what we study today. Paul is concerned that his boldness in his speech is thought to be his own, it is not, it is the Word of God.
2Cor.10:11] Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present.
But there are some among you that prefer their own ideas over God’s, beware of them.
2Cor.10:12] For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
[13] But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.
Speaking of the plumb line. We find it written in Amos 7:7-8 and it reads.
Amos 7:7] Thus he shewed me: and, behold, the Lord stood upon a wall made by a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand.
[8] And the LORD said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumbline. Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more:
This plumb line is Truth, Gods Word. Amos 8:11 reminds us that the famine in the end times is not for bread but for hearing his word. There are teachers in the world, but his children need to listen. Come back to him. Back to 2Cor.10 and verse 14 reads.
2Cor.10:14] For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ:
Teaching both Christ and the law because they are one.
2Cor.10:15] Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men’s labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,
Unlike the false teachers, we teach truth which they cannot understand.
2Cor.10:16] To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s line of things made ready to our hand.
Paul is saying that his truth will open your eyes, and the false teachers will not be able to shut them.
2Cor.10:17] But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
[18] For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.
About those false teachers, they will get what is due. Let’s go to Isaiah 65 and read verses 16-17.
Isa.65:16] That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.
[17] For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.
But for you and me that love the LORD, we read 1Cor.1:29-31.
1Cor.1:29] That no flesh should glory in his presence.
[30] But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
[31] That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
Because of Jesus Christ we have Salvation through repentance, we can stand before the LORD. Let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible