Two Corinthians Ten
by Dr. Henry M. Morris
(taken from the Defender's Study Bible)
2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
war after the flesh. Paul often used a military metaphor to describe the Christian life (e.g., 2 Timothy 2:3-4). In this verse, “flesh” is not used theologically, but physiologically, referring to our natural human abilities. We “walk” like all natural men physically, but our warfare is conducted in the realm of the spirit, not with swords or guns.
not carnal. Our weapons are not “fleshly” weapons, but spiritual. In fact, Paul enumerates them in Ephesians 6:13-18, as “the whole armour of God,” namely truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, the Word of God, and prayer. All too often, Christians and their churches try to do God's work in ways that appeal to the fleshgreat organizations, Christian entertainment, human wisdom and philosophy, beautiful facilities, glamorous advertising, and the like. These are “carnal” weapons, not the weapons provided by the Lord, and those who use them are in danger of eventual spiritual defeat, even if outward appearances seem impressive.
imaginations. The spiritual panoply of weapons ordained by God may not appear impressive outwardly to a humanistically oriented society, but it is only these that can pull down the strong holds of Satan in this world, casting down the humanistic “reasonings” (literal meaning of “imaginations”) of the leaders of this world's educational and political systems. Otherwise the enemy will “spoil” usthat is, defeat us and despoil us of the carnal weapons we have tried to use (see Colossians 2:8).
every thought. “Thought” here is the same word as “mind.” Judicious use of our spiritual weaponsespecially the one offensive weapon, “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17)will result in opening the blinded “minds” (note 2 Corinthians 4:4) of those who have rejected God and His Word, and capturing them for Christ. Thus, we are not to use such carnal weapons as bulletsor even ballotsin our battle for the human mind, but the mighty spiritual weapons in “the whole armour of God” (Ephesians 6:11).
2 Corinthians 10:9 That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.
weak. Paul was evidently small and unimpressive in appearance, though certainly not a weakling (in view of the many hardships he had to overcome). Neither was he an eloquent orator. He probably would seem outwardly to compare very unfavorably to many charismatic preachers and evangelists today. Nevertheless, by both his spiritual power and his intellectual ability, he was probably the most effective missionary who ever lived. And his writings, of course, the so-called Pauline epistles, are indeed “weighty and powerful”among the greatest ever written, even by secular standards.
regions beyond. Paul earnestly desired that the gospel be preached, as Christ had commanded, to “the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
2 Corinthians 10:17 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
he that glorieth. Compare Jeremiah 9:23-24; 1 Corinthians 1:31.
2 Corinthians 10:18 For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.