Paul Defends His Authority
Learning, From Paul’s Example, How to Defend Yourself (defend the faith).
2 Corinthians 10:1-6 NLT
Paul Defends His Authority
1 Now I, Paul, appeal to you with the gentleness and kindness of Christ—though I realize you think I am timid in person and bold only when I write from far away. 2 Well, I am begging you now so that when I come I won’t have to be bold with those who think we act from human motives.
3 We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 4We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. 6 And after you have become fully obedient, we will punish everyone who remains disobedient.
Examine the scriptures:
2 Corinthians 10:1-6 NLT
Paul Defends His Authority
1 Now I, Paul, appeal to you with the gentleness and kindness of Christ—
About Jesus:
Matthew 11:29 NLT
29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
- Jesus described himself as humble and gentle.
- Paul appealed to the Corinthians with the gentleness and kindness of Christ.
About us:
What does scripture say about the way we should treat others?
1 Peter 3:14-16 NLT
14 But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. 15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. 16 But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.
2 Timothy 2:24-25 NLT
24 A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. 25 Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth.
1 Timothy 6:11-12 NLT
Paul’s Final Instructions
11 But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses.
Ephesians 4:1-3 NLT
Unity in the Body
4 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.
Ephesians 4:32 NLT
32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Galatians 5:22-23 NLT
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
- Make your appeal (defending the faith) to others with the gentleness and kindness of Christ
though I realize you think I am timid in person and bold only when I write from far away.
The Corinthians mistook Paul’s gentleness and meekness as weakness.
They accused him of cowardice.
Meekness epitomizes the strength that comes from loving others rather than self.
Meekness is patient endurance of unfair treatment, not bitter or angry, not seeking revenge.
- Don’t mistake gentleness and meekness as weakness.
2 Well, I am begging you now so that when I come I won’t have to be bold with those who think we act from human motives.
Paul could and would confront wrong behaviors when necessary. (refer to verse 6)
Hebrews 12:11 NLT
11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.
Paul’s preference was that the Corinthians Church would become fully obedient to his teachings before he arrived in Corinth.
- Confront wrong behaviors when necessary, but focus on teaching right behaviors.
Paul Defends His Authority
The underlying principle of Ephesians 6:1-3 or Romans 13:1-5 fits here.
Paul was both a spiritual father and a spiritual authority.
1 Corinthians 4:14 NLT
14 I am not writing these things to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children.
Galatians 1:1 NLT
1 This letter is from Paul, an apostle. I was not appointed by any group of people or any human authority, but by Jesus Christ himself and by God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead.
1 Corinthians 14:37 NLT
37 If you claim to be a prophet or think you are spiritual, you should recognize that what I am saying is a command from the Lord himself.
Ephesians 6:1-3 NLT
Children and Parents
1 Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. 2 “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: 3 If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”
Romans 13:1-5 NLT
Respect for Authority
1 Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. 3 For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. 4 The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. 5 So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.
- Teach obedience, honor, and respect.
3 We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do.
2 Corinthians 4: 4 NLT
4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.
Ephesians 6:12 NLT
12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
First:
Know the enemy.
- Know your enemy.
4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.
1 Corinthians 2:1 NLT
Paul’s Message of Wisdom
1 When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan.
Human ingenuity
Worldly wisdom
Clever methodologies
A show of power
Wealth
Personal influence (athletes or TV personalities)
All of the above will not work against satanic attacks.
What works?
The Word of God, the power of the Holy Spirit, and prayer
2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
Hebrews 4:12 NLT
12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
Luke 12:11-12 NLT
11 “And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.”
1 Corinthians 2:4-5 NLT
4 And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. 5 I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.
- Use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.
- Use the Word of God, the power of the Holy Spirit, and prayer to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.
5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.
5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, (ESV)
- Destroy human reasoning and false arguments (not people).
- Teach truth.
6 And after you have become fully obedient,
When the Corinthian Church demonstrates loyalty to Paul.
we will punish everyone who remains disobedient.
With the support of the church, Paul will deal with the false apostles.
