2 Corinthians 10:1-6
Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ–who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you. 2 But I beg you that when I am present I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.” (NKJV)
The Apostle Paul is starting into a section of this letter where he is making a defense of his ministry against false apostles who are stirring up the Corinthians against him. In this opening statement Paul speaks of weapons of spiritual warfare. Let’s explore in outline form.
- Weapons of spiritual warfare are not carnal/fleshy but are mighty in God, v 4 – spiritual power from God for spiritual warfare for God.
- Weapons of spiritual warfare are used for
- Pulling down strongholds, v 4b
- Casting down arguments, v 5a
- Casting down every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, v 5b
- The Purpose of spiritual warfare is
- To bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, v 5c
- To bring people to obedience, v 6b
- To punish disobedience of some existing among the obedient, v 6a