2 Corinthians Chapter 10, Meekness; Just Wars; Our Weapons; Because You Prayed; Satan’s Schemes; Docetism, “dokeo”; Comparing; Boasting

1. 2 Corinthians 10
Meekness; Just Wars; Our Weapons Of
War; Because You Prayed; Satan’s
Schemes; Docetism, “dokeo”; Comparing;
Boasting; Arguments
Botanical Gardens Fort Bragg, CA

2. BIBLE IN FIVE
Pastor Dave Kooyers
Valley Bible Fellowship
Box 433
Boonville CA 95415
http://www.slideshare.net/dkooyers
www.ValleyBibleFellowship.org
(707) 895-2325
God bless you as you examine His Word,
Your servant in Christ, 2Cor. 4:5
These Microsoft PowerPoint presentations are provided "for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ"
(Ephesians 4:12-15). To help Christians to "to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ." So that "we are no longer...tossed here and
there...by every wind of doctrine." They may be downloaded and modified free of charge.
Matthew 10:8 …Freely you received, freely give.

3. Let’s Read 2 Corinthians 10:1-6
• Spiritual warfare
3

4. 2 Corinthians 10:1, Meekness
• NAU 2 Corinthians 10:1 Now I, Paul, myself urge
you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ-- I
who am meek when face to face with you, but
bold toward you when absent!
• NAU 1 Peter 3:4 but let it be the hidden person of
the heart, with the imperishable quality of a
gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the
sight of God.
• Dan Allender “Strength is found in weakness.
Control is found in dependency. Power is found in
surrender.” 4

5. 2 Corinthians 10:1, Meekness
• The opposite of meekness would be revenge.
• NAU Luke 22:48 But Jesus said to him, "Judas, are
you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”
• NAU 2 Corinthians 13:4 For indeed He was crucified
because of weakness, yet He lives because of the
power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we
will live with Him because of the power of God
directed toward you.
• NAU Matthew 12:20 "A BATTERED REED HE WILL
NOT BREAK OFF, AND A SMOLDERING WICK HE WILL
NOT PUT OUT, UNTIL HE LEADS JUSTICE TO VICTORY. 5

6. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4, Just Wars
• 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 For though we live in the
world, we do not wage war as the world does.
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons
of the world.
• NAU Jude 1:3 …write to you appealing that you
contend earnestly for the faith which was once
for all handed down to the saints.
• Ecclesiastes 3:8 …a time to love and a time to
hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
6

7. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4, Just Wars
• J. Warner wrote, “Ten Principles for the Reluctant Use of Deadly Force
• Ten Principles for the Reluctant Use of Deadly ForceEvery year we celebrate Memorial Day and honor our fallen soldiers
who have died in wars over the years. While the vast majority of Christians believe there are times when it is
appropriate to use deadly force (or go to war), they have struggled throughout the ages to understand when and how
this ought to be done. The reluctant use of deadly force has been a topic of philosophical and theological consideration
for centuries. Augustine (354 – 430) and Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) attempted to formulate what is now called the
“Just War Theory”. Like other Christians who have wrestled with the issue, they tried to develop a set of principles
guiding the responsible use of deadly force. Here is a very brief summary of several Christian principles guiding the
incredibly difficult decision to exercise deadly force (especially in the context of war):
• 1. Any Consideration of War Must Begin With Prayer. Every use of deadly force must be carefully and prayerfully
considered. For the Christian, no thought of entering into war can begin without our first consulting God to ask Him for
wisdom on the part of our leaders, mercy for our enemies and peace for all those involved:
• 1 Timothy 2:1-4 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone- for
kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and
pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
• Matthew 5:43-46 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your
Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the
unrighteous.
• Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present
your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds
in Christ Jesus.
• Prayer is a powerful weapon, even before we resort to the weapons of war:
• 2 Corinthians 10:3-4
7
Don't squint! The complete article
follows after the THE END slide.

8. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4, Our War
• Franz Pieper, “Again, only he is a fit minister of the
Church who is able to refute false teachers. That is
listed as one of the necessary qualifications of an
elder or bishop: "Holding fast the faithful Word as
he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound
doctrine both to exhort and to convince the
gainsayers...whose mouths must be stopped" (Titus
1:9-11). The popular demand that the public
teacher refrain from polemics is not supported by
Scripture. Scripture admonishes pastors to "avoid
foolish questions and

9. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4, Our War
• genealogies and contentions about the law; for they are
unprofitable and vain" (Titus 3:9). Nor dare we engage
in polemics from carnal motives, in carnal zeal. "For
though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the
flesh" (2 Cor. 10:3). It is also to be noted that in Titus
1:9 the words "able by sound doctrine to exhort"
precede "able to convince the gainsayer." That means
that the clear presentation of the true doctrine must
come before the refutation of the false doctrine.”
• Franz Pieper, 1852-1931, Professor, President of
Missouri Synod, author of Christian Dogmatics, by Dave
Hunt:

10. 2 Corinthians 10:4
Our Weapons
• NAU 2 Corinthians 10:4 for the weapons of our
warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely
powerful for the destruction of fortresses.
• What are our weapons of warfare?
• NAU Luke 22:31 "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan
has demanded permission to sift you like
wheat; 32 but I have prayed for you…
• NAU James 4:7 Submit therefore to God.
Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
1
0

11. 2 Corinthians 10:4
Our Weapons
• NAU Ephesians 6:11 Put on the full armor of God,
that you may be able to stand firm against the
schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not
against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,
against the powers, against the world forces of this
darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness
in the heavenly places… 17 And take the helmet of
salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the
word of God. 18 With all prayer and petition pray
at all times in the Spirit,
1
1

12. 2 Corinthians 10:4
Because You Prayed
• NAU 2 Kings 19:20 Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent
to Hezekiah saying, "Thus says the LORD, the God of
Israel, 'Because you have prayed to Me about
Sennacherib king of Assyria, I have heard you.’
[Isaiah 37:21]
• NAU 1 Chronicles 5:20 … He answered their prayers
because they trusted in Him.
• NAU James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one
another, and pray for one another so that you may be
healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can
accomplish much. 1
2

13. 2 Cor 10:5, Satan’s schemes?
• NAU 2 Corinthians 10:5 We are destroying
speculations and every lofty thing raised up against
the knowledge of God, and we are taking every
thought captive to the obedience of Christ,
• NAU 2 Corinthians 2:11 so that no advantage would
be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his
schemes.
• The Devil has schemes!
• NAU Ephesians 6:11 Put on the full armor of God, so
that you will be able to stand firm against the
schemes of the devil. 1
3

14. 2 Cor 10:5, Satan Acts
• 1 Peter 5:8 …the devil, prowls around like a
roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
• Mark 4:15 …where the word is sown; and when
they hear, immediately Satan comes and takes
away the word which has been sown in them.
• Acts 5:3 …Satan filled your heart to lie…
• 2 Corinthians 2:11 …advantage…of us by Satan
• Thomas Manton, “It is Satan's custom by small
sins to draw us to greater, as the little sticks set
the great ones on fire, and a wisp of straw
kindles a block of wood.”

15. 2 Cor 10:5, Satan’s schemes?
• Satan’s schemes will continue to control the
world to the end;
• NAU 1 Timothy 4:1 But the Spirit explicitly
says that in later times some will fall away
from the faith, paying attention to deceitful
spirits and doctrines of demons,
• But hallelujah!
• NAU 1 John 4:4 You are from God, little
children, and have overcome them; because
greater is He who is in you than he who is in
the world.

16. 2 Corinthians 10:5, Our Change
• NAU 2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with
unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror
the glory of the Lord, are being
transformed [indicative present passive] into the
same image from glory to glory, just as
from the Lord, the Spirit.
• The “being transformed” here in the
Greek is passive, indicating the
transforming is done being to you (by
God and the Word), not by you.

17. 2 Cor 10:5, by Pinchas Shir
BINDING AND LOOSING FIRST CENTURY STYLE
• “In Matthew’s Gospel Jesus said to his disciple Peter “I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of
Heaven and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven and whatever you loose
on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Matt 16:19). A couple of chapters later he said very similar
words to his other disciples (Mat 18:18).
• What are the most common explanations and teachings about these binding and loosing verses that
one hears today? Most people assume that they have something to do with spiritual warfare and
binding the devil. Indeed, the surrounding context is about disciple’s authority, only the devil is not
involved here.
• In reality, binding and loosing are known technical legal expressions in the ancient Jewish world. “To
bind” is to restrict, to confine, to limit and in legal sense “to forbid something”. On the opposite side
“to loose” is to unbind, to untie, to free, to release which in a legal sense means “to permit
something”.
• Here is an example from the first-century Jewish historian Flavius Josephus. He writes that under
queen Alexandra of Jerusalem, the Pharisees “became the administrators of all public affairs,
empowered to banish and readmit whom they pleased, as well as to loose and to bind”. (Jewish
War 1:110). Josephus said that the Pharisees had the authority “to loose and to bind” and no, not
demons or Satan.
• When Jesus used this terminology in the Gospels, he did not speak about prayer or spiritual warfare
either. The context is legal and the terms should be interpreted through first-century Jewish
context. Just like the Pharisees in Josephus’s quote, the disciples were given a right to legislate, a
right to make rules and norms, allowing and forbidding things in their own community. And that is
1
7
Don't squint! The complete article
follows after the THE END slide.

18. • “…When Jesus used this terminology in the
Gospels, he did not speak about prayer or
spiritual warfare either. The context is legal
and the terms should be interpreted through
first-century Jewish context. Just like the
Pharisees in Josephus’s quote, the disciples
were given a right to legislate, a right to make
rules and norms, allowing and forbidding
things in their own community. And that is
binding and loosing first century’s style.” 1
8
2 Cor 10:5, by Pinchas Shir
BINDING AND LOOSING FIRST CENTURY STYLE

19. 2 Cor. 10:5, Jobe Martin's
Newsletter On Prayer, 4-17-17
• Biblical Discipleship Ministries
• 2212 Chisholm Trail, Rockwall, TX 75032 (972) 771-0568
• The Power of Prayer
• For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of
measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: 9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that
we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: 10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and
doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us; 11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift
bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf. 2 Corinthians 1:8–11
• [The word sunupourgeo translated “helping together” is used only here in the Greek New Testament and is composed of
three words: with, under, work. It is a picture of laborers under the burden, working together to get the job
accomplished. It is encouraging to know that the Holy Spirit also assists us in our praying and helps to carry the load
(Rom. 8:26).[1]]
• The Lord delivered Paul because of both his faith and the faith of those faithfully lifting him up in prayer in
Corinth.
• This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. Psalm 34:6
• Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may
stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. Colossians 4:12
• Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with
me in your prayers to God for me. Romans 15:30
• Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course,
• and be glorified, even as it is with you. 2 Thessalonians 3:1
• Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16 Cease not to give thanks for
you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto
you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened;
1
9
Don't squint! The complete article
follows after the THE END slide.

20. 2 Corinthians 10:5,
“The Power of Prayer”
• Jobe Martin wrote, “For we would not, brethren,
have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us
in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure,
above strength, insomuch that we despaired even
of life: 9 But we had the sentence of death in
ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but
in God which raiseth the dead: 10 Who delivered us
from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom
we trust that he will yet deliver us; 11 Ye also
helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift
bestowed upon 2
0

21. 2 Corinthians 10:5,
“The Power of Prayer”
• us by the means of many persons thanks may be given
by many on our behalf. 2 Corinthians 1:8–11 [The word
sunupourgeo translated “helping together” is used only
here in the Greek New Testament and is composed of
three words: with, under, work. It is a picture of
laborers under the burden, working together to get the
job accomplished. It is encouraging to know that the
Holy Spirit also assists us in our praying and helps to
carry the load (Rom. 8:26).[1]] The Lord delivered Paul
because of both his faith and the faith of those faithfully
lifting him up in prayer in Corinth….”
2
1

22. 2 Corinthians 10:5, Arguments
• NKJ 2 Corinthians 10:5 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,
• NKJ 1 Timothy 6:4 he is proud, knowing
nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and
arguments over words, from which come
envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions,
• Arguments is not used in most translations

23. 2 Corinthians 10:5, Arguments
• ESV NAS NAU …speculations and every lofty
thing…
• KJV …imaginations, and every high thing…
• NKJ …arguments and every high thing…
• CSB …arguments 5 and every high-minded
thing…
• NET …arguments 5 and every arrogant
obstacle…
• YLT …5 reasonings…and every high thing
• NIVO …arguments and every pretension…

24. 2 Corinthians 10:5, Our Thoughts
• Deuteronomy 15:9 "Beware that there is no base
thought in your heart…
• Genesis 6:5 Then the LORD saw that the
wickedness of man was great on the earth, and
that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was
only evil continually.
• Patrick Morley “Each of us leads a secret thought
life, an invisible life known only to us- it is not
known to others. This secret life is usually very
different from the visible you- the you that is
known by others. Yet it is the real you, the you
that is known by our God.”

25. Let’s Read 2 Corinthians 10:7-11
• Paul’s Authority
25

26. Christ is the Believer’s:
Gift (9:15)
Owner (10:7)
Power (12:9)
The Resurrected Christ Appears to the Virgin, Guercino, 1629

27. 2 Corinthians 10:9, Docetism, “dokeo”
• NAU 2 Corinthians 10:9 for I do not wish to seem
as if I would terrify you by my letters.
• 1 John 4:2 …Jesus Christ has come in the flesh…
• 2 John 1:7 …deceivers…do not acknowledge Jesus
Christ as coming in the flesh…. [Docetists]
• Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia
Britannica Online. , docetism
• “(from Greek dokein, "to seem"), Christian heresy a
nd one of the earliest Christian sectarian doctrines,
affirming that Christ did not have a real or natural b
ody during his life on earth but only an apparent or
phantom one….”

28. 2 Corinthians 10:9, Docetism, “dokeo”
• 1 John 4:2 …every spirit that confesses that
Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from
God; 3 and every spirit that does not confess
Jesus is not from God; and this is the spirit
of the antichrist, of which you have heard
that it is coming, and now it is already in the
world. [Docetists]
• 2 John 1:7 For many deceivers have gone
out into the world, those who do not
acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the
flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.
[Docetistism]

29. 2 Corinthians 10:9, Docetism, “dokeo”
• 1 Corinthians 12:22 On the contrary, it is much truer that
the members of the body which seem [dokeo] to be weaker
are necessary;
• <1380> δοκέω dokeo
• Meaning: to have an opinion, to seem
• Origin: from δόκος dokos (opinion)
• Usage: deem(1), expect(1), has a mind(1), inclined(1),
recognized(1), regarded(1), reputation(3), reputed(1),
seem(3), seemed best(1), seemed fitting(1), seemed
good(4), seems(3), suppose(5), supposed(2),
supposes(1), supposing(4), think(18), thinking(1),
thinks(6), thought(4).

30. 2 Cor 10:9, “10 Misconceptions About the NT
Canon: #3: “The NT Authors Did Not Think They
Were Writing Scripture”
• michaeljkruger.com “Note: This is the third installment of a new blog series announced here.
• Sometimes, even in the academic world, things get said so many times that people assume they are true. And when
that happens, no one bothers to look at the historical evidence in a fresh way. This has certainly been the case when it
comes to this third misconception about the New Testament canon. It is routine these days to assert that the New
Testament authors certainly did not think they were writing Scripture, nor had any awareness of their own authority.
Mark Allan Powell, in his recent New Testament introduction, affirms this view plainly, “The authors of our New
Testament books did not know that they were writings scripture.”[1] Gamble takes the same approach, “None of the
writings which belong to the NT was composed as scripture…[they] were written for immediate and practical purposes
within the early churches, and only gradually did they come to be valued and to be spoken of as ‘scripture’.”[2]
• Now, from one perspective, I understand what these authors are trying to say. Certainly none of the NT authors wrote
with an awareness of a 27 book canon and understood their place in it. They could not have fully foreseen the shape
and scope of this collection. But, these scholars imply that there was no authoritative intent when the NT authors
wrote—and that is a very different thing. McDonald even declares, “[Paul] was unaware of the divinely inspired status
of his own advice.”[3]
• But, is it true that the NT authors had no awareness of their own authority? My contention here is simple: the NT
authors show evidence that they understood their writings to contain authoritative apostolic tradition. Since the
apostles were commissioned by Christ to speak for him, and were empowered by the Holy Spirit to do so, then these
writings would have borne the authority of Christ himself. Thus, whether we call these books “Scripture” is a bit beside
the point. To the earliest Christians, they were “the word of God.”
• Now, in a blog post such as this we can hardly work through each book of the NT (nor would we need to do so in order to
establish the overall point). So, we will offer a brief comment on a few select passages:
• 1 Thess 2:13. In perhaps Paul’s earliest letter, he is explicit about his own authority as an apostle of Jesus Christ when he
reminds the Thessalonians, “You received the word of God, which you heard from us, and accepted it not as the words
of men but as what it really is, the word of God” (2:13). By the phrase “word of God” (λόγον θεοῦ), Paul is no doubt
referring to the authoritative “apostolic tradition” which they had already passed to the Thessalonians through their oral
3
0
Don't squint! The complete article
follows after the THE END slide.

31. • michaeljkruger.com “…1 Thess 2:13…Paul’s …own
authority…“You received the word of God, which
you heard from us, and accepted it not as the
words of men but as what it really is, the word of
God” (2:13). By the phrase “word of God” (λόγον
θεοῦ), Paul is no doubt referring to the
authoritative “apostolic tradition” which they had
already passed to the Thessalonians through their
oral teaching and preaching. But, if Paul’s apostolic
instruction bears divine authority, are we to
3
1
2 Cor 10:9, “10 Misconceptions About the NT
Canon: #3: “The NT Authors Did Not Think They
Were Writing Scripture”

32. • think that the instruction contained in 1
Thessalonians itself does not? Is this letter
somehow exempt from that very authority? Paul
acknowledges elsewhere that the mode of delivery
for his apostolic instruction is secondary, “So then,
brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that
you were taught by us, either by our spoken
word or by our letter” (2 Thess 2:15). Thus,
commenting on 1 Thess 2:13, Ernest Best is able to
say, “Paul makes here the daring claim which
identifies his words with God’s words.”[4]” 3
2
2 Cor 10:9, “10 Misconceptions About the NT
Canon: #3: “The NT Authors Did Not Think They
Were Writing Scripture”

33. Let’s Read 2 Corinthians 10:12-17
• Don't Compare
33

34. 2 Corinthians 10:12, Comparing
• NAU 2 Corinthians 10:12 For we are not bold to
class or compare ourselves with some of those
who commend themselves; but when they
measure themselves by themselves and
compare themselves with themselves, they are
without understanding.
• Steven Furtick says, “The reason we struggle
with insecurity is because we compare our
behind-the-scenes with everyone else’s
highlight reel.” 34

35. 2 Corinthians 10:16, A Mission Field, With
Or Without Christ
• 1 Corinthians 9:16 For if I preach the gospel, I
have nothing to boast of, for I am under
compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach
the gospel.
• Every life without Christ is a mission field;
every life with Christ is a missionary.
• Author Unknown

36. 36

37. Corinthians 10:17, Boasting
• NAU 2 Corinthians 10:17 But HE WHO BOASTS IS
TO BOAST IN THE LORD.
• Don’t boast about anything, except Jesus.
• NAU Jeremiah 9:23 Thus says the LORD, "Let not
a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the
mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man
boast of his riches;
• NAU James 4:16 But as it is, you boast in your
arrogance; all such boasting is evil.
• NAU Galatians 6:14 But may it never be that I
would boast, except in the cross of our Lord
Jesus Christ…

38. So, in
conclusion
3
8

39. The End

40. 2 Cor 2:10, by Pinchas Shir
BINDING AND LOOSING FIRST CENTURY STYLE
• “In Matthew’s Gospel Jesus said to his disciple Peter “I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of
Heaven and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven and whatever you loose
on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Matt 16:19). A couple of chapters later he said very similar
words to his other disciples (Mat 18:18).
• What are the most common explanations and teachings about these binding and loosing verses that
one hears today? Most people assume that they have something to do with spiritual warfare and
binding the devil. Indeed, the surrounding context is about disciple’s authority, only the devil is not
involved here.
• In reality, binding and loosing are known technical legal expressions in the ancient Jewish world. “To
bind” is to restrict, to confine, to limit and in legal sense “to forbid something”. On the opposite side
“to loose” is to unbind, to untie, to free, to release which in a legal sense means “to permit
something”.
• Here is an example from the first-century Jewish historian Flavius Josephus. He writes that under
queen Alexandra of Jerusalem, the Pharisees “became the administrators of all public affairs,
empowered to banish and readmit whom they pleased, as well as to loose and to bind”. (Jewish
War 1:110). Josephus said that the Pharisees had the authority “to loose and to bind” and no, not
demons or Satan.
• When Jesus used this terminology in the Gospels, he did not speak about prayer or spiritual warfare
either. The context is legal and the terms should be interpreted through first-century Jewish
context. Just like the Pharisees in Josephus’s quote, the disciples were given a right to legislate, a
right to make rules and norms, allowing and forbidding things in their own community. And that is
4
0

41. 2 Cor. 10:4, Jobe Martin's
Newsletter On Prayer, 4-17-17
• Biblical Discipleship Ministries
• 2212 Chisholm Trail, Rockwall, TX 75032 (972) 771-0568
• The Power of Prayer
• For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of
measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: 9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that
we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: 10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and
doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us; 11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift
bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf. 2 Corinthians 1:8–11
• [The word sunupourgeo translated “helping together” is used only here in the Greek New Testament and is composed of
three words: with, under, work. It is a picture of laborers under the burden, working together to get the job
accomplished. It is encouraging to know that the Holy Spirit also assists us in our praying and helps to carry the load
(Rom. 8:26).[1]]
• The Lord delivered Paul because of both his faith and the faith of those faithfully lifting him up in prayer in
Corinth.
• This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. Psalm 34:6
• Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may
stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. Colossians 4:12
• Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with
me in your prayers to God for me. Romans 15:30
• Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course,
• and be glorified, even as it is with you. 2 Thessalonians 3:1
• Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16 Cease not to give thanks for
you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto
you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened;
4
1
Don't squin
follows afte

42. 2 Cor 10:9, “10 Misconceptions About the NT
Canon: #3: “The NT Authors Did Not Think They
Were Writing Scripture”
• michaeljkruger.com “Note: This is the third installment of a new blog series announced here.
• Sometimes, even in the academic world, things get said so many times that people assume they are true. And when
that happens, no one bothers to look at the historical evidence in a fresh way. This has certainly been the case when it
comes to this third misconception about the New Testament canon. It is routine these days to assert that the New
Testament authors certainly did not think they were writing Scripture, nor had any awareness of their own authority.
Mark Allan Powell, in his recent New Testament introduction, affirms this view plainly, “The authors of our New
Testament books did not know that they were writings scripture.”[1] Gamble takes the same approach, “None of the
writings which belong to the NT was composed as scripture…[they] were written for immediate and practical purposes
within the early churches, and only gradually did they come to be valued and to be spoken of as ‘scripture’.”[2]
• Now, from one perspective, I understand what these authors are trying to say. Certainly none of the NT authors wrote
with an awareness of a 27 book canon and understood their place in it. They could not have fully foreseen the shape
and scope of this collection. But, these scholars imply that there was no authoritative intent when the NT authors
wrote—and that is a very different thing. McDonald even declares, “[Paul] was unaware of the divinely inspired status
of his own advice.”[3]
• But, is it true that the NT authors had no awareness of their own authority? My contention here is simple: the NT
authors show evidence that they understood their writings to contain authoritative apostolic tradition. Since the
apostles were commissioned by Christ to speak for him, and were empowered by the Holy Spirit to do so, then these
writings would have borne the authority of Christ himself. Thus, whether we call these books “Scripture” is a bit beside
the point. To the earliest Christians, they were “the word of God.”
• Now, in a blog post such as this we can hardly work through each book of the NT (nor would we need to do so in order to
establish the overall point). So, we will offer a brief comment on a few select passages:
• 1 Thess 2:13. In perhaps Paul’s earliest letter, he is explicit about his own authority as an apostle of Jesus Christ when he
reminds the Thessalonians, “You received the word of God, which you heard from us, and accepted it not as the words
of men but as what it really is, the word of God” (2:13). By the phrase “word of God” (λόγον θεοῦ), Paul is no doubt
referring to the authoritative “apostolic tradition” which they had already passed to the Thessalonians through their oral
4
2
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43. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4, Just Wars
• J. Warner wrote, “Ten Principles for the Reluctant Use of Deadly Force
• Ten Principles for the Reluctant Use of Deadly ForceEvery year we celebrate Memorial Day and honor our fallen soldiers
who have died in wars over the years. While the vast majority of Christians believe there are times when it is
appropriate to use deadly force (or go to war), they have struggled throughout the ages to understand when and how
this ought to be done. The reluctant use of deadly force has been a topic of philosophical and theological consideration
for centuries. Augustine (354 – 430) and Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) attempted to formulate what is now called the
“Just War Theory”. Like other Christians who have wrestled with the issue, they tried to develop a set of principles
guiding the responsible use of deadly force. Here is a very brief summary of several Christian principles guiding the
incredibly difficult decision to exercise deadly force (especially in the context of war):
• 1. Any Consideration of War Must Begin With Prayer. Every use of deadly force must be carefully and prayerfully
considered. For the Christian, no thought of entering into war can begin without our first consulting God to ask Him for
wisdom on the part of our leaders, mercy for our enemies and peace for all those involved:
• 1 Timothy 2:1-4 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone- for
kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and
pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
• Matthew 5:43-46 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your
Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the
unrighteous.
• Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present
your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds
in Christ Jesus.”
• Prayer is a powerful weapon, even before we resort to the weapons of war:
• 2 Corinthians 10:3-4
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44. 2 Corinthians 10:9, Docetism, “dokeo”
• Encyclopedia
• docetism
• (from Greek dokein, "to seem"), Christian heresy and one of the earliest Christian sectarian doctrines,affirmin
g that Christ did not have a real or natural body during his life on earth but only an apparent orphantom one.
Though its incipient forms are alluded to in the New Testament, such as in the Letters ofJohn (e.g., 1 John 4:1-
3; 2 John 7), Docetism became more fully developed as an important doctrinal
position of Gnosticism, a religious dualist system of belief arising in the 2nd century AD which held thatmatte
r was evil and the spirit good and claimed that salvation was attained only through esoteric
knowledge, or gnosis. The heresy developed from speculations about the imperfection or essential impurity
of matter. More thoroughgoing Docetists asserted that Christ was born without any participation of
matter and that all the acts and sufferings of his life, including the Crucifixion, were mere appearances.They c
onsequently denied Christ's Resurrection and Ascension into heaven. Milder Docetists attributed toChrist an
ethereal and heavenly body but disagreed on the degree to which it shared the real actions and
sufferings of Christ. Docetism was attacked by all opponents of Gnosticism, especially by Bishop Ignatiusof An
tioch in the 2nd century.
• Learn more about Docetism with a free trial on Britannica.com.
• Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
Cite This Source

45. Corinthians 10:5, Eric’s, Right idea, Wrong
text
•
• The right idea, but the wrong text
•
• Introduction: My experience and concerns
• As a pastor and a Bible conference speaker I have the privilege of interacting with and learning from a substantialcross-section of sincere, humble, Bible-believing Christians. These earnest saints seek to increasingly know, obey, enjoy andglorify their Lord and savior, Jesus Christ, through a working knowledge of the Word of God. They read their Bibles, pray for understanding and do regular devotionals.
• As I've taught and interacted with them, an interesting and fairly regular, specific pattern of incorrect thinking and talking has caught my attention. Oddly, this is true only of those who have been churched for some time. It is not true of new believers. This pattern consists of a set of Biblically unwarranted trueisms and maxims,or more correctly, truesisms and maximsthat are indeed substantially or at least partly true, but basedon the wrong text of Scripture.
• I have coined this the, “Right Idea, Wrong Text,” phenomenon.
• The fact that this occurs primarily among the churched, means that these saints are receiving and believing this sameset of pseudo-maxims in their churches, Bible studies, personal conversations, and via other media by the pressure of group osmosis, by tradition (hearing or reading other Christians repeat the sameincorrect things) rather than from a normal reading of the plain meaning of the Biblical text using normal interpretive methods.
• Concerning alarm signals arise fromthis phenomenon:
• First, this is concerning because the weight of mass repetition, approval and ubiquity of the pseudo-maxims effectively overturns or obscures the meaning of the underlying texts (“how could all these Christians be wrong?”). Because of group pressure and approval (“group-think”) the reader of those texts doesn't actually “see” them as needing interpretation by him/herself in their Biblical context. The interpretation is already fixed and immutable in his/her mind, so why bother?
This is illustrated in the disturbing reaction I sometimes get when I point out the correct interpretation of the underlying texts. It is often met with dismay, puzzlementand disagreement, as if I'd claimed the earth flat or the moon madeof cheese.
• Second, this is a case of evangelical folksy sound-bite oral tradition being unintentionally but quite effectively set over andagainst Scripture. As such it is a violation of the foundational Reformation presupposition of sola scriptura – Scripture Alone is the final and adequate authority.
• Third, as a lesson to us all, manipulationof group-think is, unfortunately, how heretical groups and cults effectively wrest away the plain meaning of key orthodox texts upon which we rely for such core doctrines as the deity of Christ, substitutionary atonement, monotheism and Trinity, salvation by grace alone through faith alone, etc. The group reads, speaks and thinks of the text in contextual isolation and in a consistently perverted way such that the actual meaning of that text
is subsumedby the aberrant oral and written tradition. They are programmedby pressure and repetition to not seethe text as it actually is.
• Thankfully, the “right idea, wrong text” is not generally a case of teaching false doctrine. There is usually andhappily an element of, “the right idea,” in what is stated.
• Becoming sensitive to the phenomenon
• My hope is to sensitize the reader to the importance of understanding and identifying the “right idea, wrong text” phenomena as a possible defect in their own approach to the Word, and in conversation with others. It is like a defective railway switch that directs a speeding train onto a dead-end spur off the main railway. It must be repaired to prevent disaster.
• Questioning one's own maxims is like checking the tracks and switches for defects. To be obedient to the spirit of being a “good Berean” is to ask the question of any claim abouta text of Scripture, “is that indeed what that text says?”
• A factual claim about the meaning of a text should be warranted from that text, in its context. The claim should arise naturally and necessarily. The goal of the reader, the interpreter, is to arrive at the one (singular) meaning of the text intended by the original author. There can be but one accurate meaning. Once that is fairly determined, then andonly then the reader can seek the appropriate application or applications as may be.
• Remember: A text without its context, is merely a pretext!
• Pastoral Concern
• My concern in this area is not theoretical, it is pastoral. I urgently andearnestly desire the saints of God to know God as He tells us He is to be known. God has revealed to us in His Word, in a knowable and non-mystical way, what He wants us to know. When church tradition stands in the way of the self-revealing I AM, it mustbe gently but firmly set aside.
• “Right Idea, Wrong Text” example 1:
• “Taking every thought captive”
• Two longtime Christian friends meet over coffee. Larry asks Joe, “How have you been doing at dealing with that one besetting temptation we were talking and praying about? Are you making progress? Are you exercising that spiritual discipline I showed you from II Corinthians 10:5? Are you gaining victory?” Larry replies, “Well Larry, I've been doing what you suggested. Every time the tempting thought and feeling comes into my mindand heart I stop and remember to, 'take
every thought captive to Christ.' I really am trying to be aware of every wrong thought and feeling in my heart and bring it subject to Christ. What I find is that the more I try to take captive that tempting thought, the more defeated I feel and the more I end up thinking about it. It's like I'm obsessing, checking to see if that thought is in my mind, losing sleep. I'm not counting sheep at night, I'm counting thoughts!”
• There is an element of truth here. Christians are indeed instructed, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,” (Rom 12:2 NAS) and, “But let a manexamine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.” (1Co 11:28 NAS) and, “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you-- unless indeed you fail the test?” (2Co 13:5 NAS),
etc.
• However, introspection regarding each of one's own internal wayward thoughts and feelings is not in view in II Corinthians 10:5.
• The Context of II Corinthians 10:5
• The larger context of 1st and 2nd Corinthians includes the attack by the arrogant Hellenistic Corinthian Christians on Paul's apostleship in particular but also on his fellow apostles and on Paul's apostolic associates. This was much worse a problem in 1 Corinthians, explaining it's harsher tone. But some remains to be dealt with in 2 Corinthians.
• They were at the crossroads of the world and their Hellenistic, urban mindset was that a great manof God really should be slick, erudite, eloquent, powerful and persuasive in oratory skills, good looking, influential and well connected to the right associates, and schools of philosophy and oration. (1 Cor 2:1) They really approved of the kind of orator Apollos was! (Acts 18:24, 1 Cor 1:12) Paul was none of these and preached the foolishness of Christ crucified (1 Cor 1:23, 2:2-5), a
disappointmentand embarrassmentfor them.
• When you turn to his 2nd Corinthian letter, take note how quickly he sets up two camps: “We/Us” versus “you” (plural in the Greek). The “you” is the Corinthian Christians. He uses “we/us/our” speaking of himself as an apostle andof his apostolic associates in union with him. In fact, he uses “we/us/our” over 100 times! A quick visual scan for the “we” andthe “you” helps you to see this contrast. Looking for these words as one reads the letter helps understandthe sharpcontrast
between the two groups.
• What he is doing is pointing out the situation, qualification, faith and behavior of the mature “we” - him as apostle/his associates in contrast to that of the “you” - the less mature and world-wise Corinthians who still have issues in many areas.
• WE in contrast to YOU
• Paul/Associates ImmatureCorinthians
• Coming into II Corinthians chapter 10, Paul does not let up on them.
• Now I, Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentlenessof Christ-- I who am meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent! 2 I ask that when I am presentI may not be bold with the confidence with which I proposeto be courageous againstsome, who regard us as if we walked according to the flesh. (2Co 10:1-2 NAS)
• Verses 1 and 2 show Paul defending his approach (and apostleship) against the charge that he's coming across too meek and as just like other mere mortal men (v2), so why should he be listened to? The following verses (vv3 on) indicate they thought Paul and his associates were not going after the right issues and in the right way and with the right panache (ie, they were weak in presentation, and beating their fists in the air anddidn't look or soundlike the lawyers and
philosophers they were used to).
•
•
• Making war like the immortal gods
• In v3-4a Paul comes out swinging andsays while “we” (Paul and associate) are mortals in the flesh, don't be fooled by mere appearances you ignorant Corinthians!
• For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh,4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. (2Co 10:3-4 NAS)
• “We” few are, in fact, most expertly waging war like the immortal gods, and with the supernatural weapons of the gods, and in their very world! Immediately the Corinthians would have flashed to the mighty manHercules who, in their mythology, fought super-humanbattles, and who also descended into Hades and craftily captured and carried away into captivity Cerberus, the vicious three-headed dog which guarded the Gates of Hades. The terms “weapons” and “divinely
powerful” may have brought images of the lightning bolts of the great god Zeus.
• Verses 4b-5 are key in that they specifically describe the sphere of the war the “we” are waging, the magnitudeof it, what it is like for the apostle and his associates, and where specifically their god/divine-weapons are having their effect. It is vital at this point to remember that Paul just told them in the previous chapter,
• “And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the imageof God.” (2Co 4:3-4 NAS)
• Pointedly, in context, Paul has said,
• there is a “non-mortal,” a god whose sphere of authority and power is this age/world – this temporal world's culture system of unbelievers,
• this god has depraved military authority andownership over the thinking of unbelievers,
• this god has exercised that authority cunningly so that the range of possible thinking regarding the facts and truth of the good news of the glory of Christ is inhibited, yet they are not aware of it. It is not that they don't think, they do, but that their thinking and presuppositions are walled in, “blinkered” as a draft-horse so to speak, so that they can't see or access reality as it is. This present age is like The Truman Show – a sham stage where reality is not accessible. By implication,
this god is evil.
• The sphere of this war
• Now with that in the Corinthians' minds, whatPaul says in 10:4b-5 makes sense, and it's meaning and sphere are necessarilyconstrained by 4:3-4. The sphere of this warfare is the thinking, the unredeemed cultural mind-set, the presuppositions, philosophy and worldviewof unbelievers. Paulis warring against what theologians call the, “noetic effects of the Fall,” the Fall of Adam affected every area of Man's mind (total depravity) and made the thinking of that mind andwill captive
to the manipulating,perverting and obscuring work of the god of this age, who we know to be Satan.
• Believers are not andcannot be in view, since they belong to a different God anddo not belong to this age (our citizenship is in heaven). Believers are strangers and aliens to this age. The fortress under siege is the worldview of fallen man, and apologetics and gospel preaching are the engine and devices of war to smashandpull down that paganfortress. This view of the sphere of demonic activity being in the area of thinking, ideas and mental scope of unbelief is in line with,
• “But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,” (1Timothy 4:1 NAS)
• The mature “we” apostles andassociates are making war againstthis evil god in the very fortress he knows best: that of the thinking and ideas and presuppositions of the unbeliever – the marketplace of ideas. There he has worked, over time and ages and cultures and desires and ancient prides and biases and traditions to construct mental fortresses of worldly and Godless speculation, lines of reasoning, ways of thinking, vain philosophies. He has carefully engineered high towers
and parapets of prideful God-denying ways of man. With careful cultivating of “critical thinking skills” and skeptical doubt, elevating man andhis abilities while denigrating and even disallowing in the mind of the creature the very existence of the true Creator. He has evolved the primitive doubts of, “Did God really say?” to a far more mature, “We can't see Him or evidence of Him. He doesn't exist.”
• Paul and his associates are claiming to be breaching the walls of paganideas, tearing down the dearest thoughts of self-serving man, putting the torch to the falsity of man's “critical thinking”, and knocking the foundations out from man's highest independent thoughts. Not only that, in our text in question, Paul claims that he andcompany are indeed, “taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” That is, using the metaphor of Greco-Roman warfare, they are parading
captives before them as the spoils of war on their return from battle. In chains of shame anddegradation, every single thought of the world's most powerful paganphilosophers is now a nameless depersonalized captive slave, herded off to make it serve emperor Christ. This is not merely a general rout, it is an individual humiliation.
• This musthave shocked, shamedandhumbledthe sophisticated, prideful Corinthians, since they thought so highly of their orators, philosophers and lawyers.
• But it gets worse!
• In v6 Paul tells them they're useless in battle andwet behind the ears. “We” are ready to punishall disobedience (any rebellious thought of unbelieving manno matter where it has hidden its miserable carcass) as soon as “you,” the Corinthians get busy and get out of Basic Boot Camp - “whenever your obedience is complete.” In short, we'll be happy to mop this up with you as soon as you're somewhat competent in apologetics and worldview. We're waiting.
• V7 Wraps up their ridiculous position. They're looking down their Corinthian noses at the appearance and lack of oratory prowess of Paul, and Paul tells them they're looking with entirely the wrong eyes. “We're” the real immortals, we're winning in the realm of the gods, and all “you” can do is complain about what you can't even see.
• Summary of, “Taking every thought captive”
• It is helpful when reading the text to ask the question, “Who is the 'we' of 2nd Corinthians 10:5?” Since it is the apostles and associates (and not the immature Corinthian andcertainly not the 21st century American reader), interpretation of the passagebecomes simpler and quite powerful.
• If we are going to reach andgrow towards the competence level of the the “we” (the mature ones doing apologetic battle to free the thinking of those blinded by the god of this age) then we ought to be about the business that Peter urges on us,
• “always being ready to make a defense[an apologetic] to everyonewho asks you to give an account for the hopethat is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, thosewho revile your good behaviorin Christ may be put to shame.”(1 Peter 3:15-16 NAS)
• If the dear reader is going to make the argumentthat the “we” who are to take every thought captive is each and every believer without distinction, then the reader is in a very awkward position. The reader is claiming:
• That not only we, but also the apostle Paul and his associates were struggling to take their own thoughts and desires captive. God forbid!
• That not only we, but also Paul andassociates were experiencing lofty thoughts that exalted themselves againstthe knowledge of God! God forbid!
• We have no idea who the contrasting “you” is in v6b for whom the “we” is waiting!
• The better approach
• To misapplythis passageto examine one's own thoughts and feeling and try to take them captive to Christ focuses the thoughts and mindof the Christian inwardly and on self. It risks becoming a frustrating, soulical rather than spiritual, narcissistic, and distinctly un-Christian exercise. The Lord loved the Corinthians and He loves us. He does not leave the Corinthians or us without help and instruction in this matter:
• But to this day wheneverMoses is read, a veil lies over their heart; but whenevera man turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
• (2 Cor 3:17-18 NAS)
• Look to Christ my friend, and away from self. We are to, “be transformed by a renewing of the mind.”You can't transform your thinking. Forget it. The Greek here is passive, indicating the transforming is done to you, not by you. A focus on Him via His Word will transform the mind as no inward glance can. As the hymnist urges, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory andgrace.”
•
• ----------------
• More examples to come, including, “Wherever two or more are gathered in my name” is a prayer meeting.
•
• A few thoughts by DLK;
• On pg 6 of 9 you said " Believers are not and cannot be in view...", it sure looks to me like Paul is writing to immatureChristians in Corinth; 1. "I, Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ", 7. just as he is Christ's, so also are we. 8. our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up, 9. terrify you by my letters, 13. to reach even as far as you, 14. reach to you...even as far as you in the gospel of Christ;, 15, our sphere, enlarged even more by you,
•
• On pg 8 of 9;
• #1, Paul madethis point in Romans 7:14-25, he is humanandas such has to battle the flesh, and every wrong idea, just as we must.
•
• #2, I think Paul is saying "We are destroying [disassembling,tearing apart, "to take down, pull down"] speculations [false teachings, heresies, "a reasoning, a thought"] and every lofty [false teaching that is being brought up, "height, that which is lifted up"] thing raised up against the knowledge of God [orthodoxy], and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,
• 6 and we are ready to punish[refute, "to vindicate"] all disobedience [these false teachings, heresies you've been hearing, "a hearing amiss"], whenever your obedience is complete.
•
• #3, I think Paul is saying "We, apostles, are ready to "vindicate, give...legal protection," expose as heresy, whenever you stop listening to this garbage, and start listening to, and obeying us.
• I highly recommend this article, “Never Read a Bible Verse,” by Greg Koukle – Stand To Reason
http://www.str.org/articles/never-read-a-bible-verse
• Our church has purchasedpackets of the article in booklet form to hand out.
• Devotional reading of Scripture should follow, not precede the exercise and good work of interpretation/hermeneutics. Devotional reading properly seeks application of the text by the Spirit in the life of the reader. However, until one actually has a good, solid understanding of the author's one meaning in the text in question, a devotional reading is unwarranted and in fact can be quite misleading. Cults and heretical factions arise from aberrant and
mystical/“prophetic” interpretations of particular texts. Interpret first to determine the one meaning as best you can. Then, and only then, go back and read devotionally so the meaning can be applied to your life in various ways by the Holy Spirit. Much individual andchurch harm has come from so called devotional reading that relies on the Spirit to give personalized meaning andimpressions “on the fly,” and against the natural authorial meaning in context. “But know this first
of all, that no prophecyof Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation,” (2 Peter 1:20 NAS)
• In Paul's writing and speech he repeatedly reveals intimate familiarity with Greek as well as Romanmyth, poetry, playwrights, and philosophers, etc. In Acts 17:28 in his speech before the Areopagus, Paul quotes from the revered Greek poet/playwright/comic Epimenides. Epimenides wrote that the foolish Cretans thought that the great god Zeus had been ripped by a wild boar and killed, was buried and his grave was with them to that day. Minos, the son of Zeus,
erected a plaque with these defiant and faithful words,“A grave has been fashioned for thee, O holy and high One. Thelying Cretans, who are all the time liars, evil beasts, idle bellies; But Thou diest not, for to eternity Thou livest and standest, For in Theewe live and move and haveour being.”Paul quotes this same poem from Epimenides in Titus 1:12. Likewise, II Cor 10:3-4 shows he's not afraid to use their own imagery to show them up: Fleshly disguisedheroes fighting in the
abode of the gods. They wielded “weapons,” “divinely powerful” - dunata tow theo – powers of the god.
• By using a mannerof speaking the Greek Corinthians could identify with, “the god of this world,” Paul is quite possibly making another illustration from the Greek gods. According to Hesiod (Theog. 230), Ate (ah-teh) a daughter of the great god Zeus, had betrayed his deep trust andZeus hadcast her down out of the heavens of the gods, banishing her to the world of the mortals. There she became the evil spirit (daimona) of delusion, blind folly, rash action,
infatuation, and reckless impulsewho led men down the path to ruin. Of course we know from other scripture that this blinding, ruinous, “god of this world,” the evil daimona, is masculine, and is the Devil.
Paul's use of particular Greek myths does not, of course, indicate that he believes they are true in every detail, but that even in their paganstumbling andfallen, dimmedspiritual sight, they still retained some kernel of the faded memory of events, truths, and realities passed down from long ages past from the fathers. There was enough light there to convict them, not save them (Romans 1:21, 2:14-15), but they had encrusted andburied these truths with accretions of myth and
unbelief. Where the poets andmyths spoke a useful truth, Paul used it againstthe conscience of the readers or listeners.

46. 2 Corinthians 13:4, Justice to Victory, Dr.
Stanley D. Toussaint
• NAU 2 Corinthians 13:4 For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the
power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we will live with Him because of the power of God
directed toward you.
• “A battered reed He will not break off, and a smoldering wick He will not put out, until He leads justice to
victory.” (Matthew 12:20, NASB)
• At first blush this verse seems to be out of place in the Christmas devotional booklet, but it has everything
to do with the birth of the Lord Jesus. He was born in humble circumstances. No armies guarded the
infant Jesus. So it was in His ministry; He humbly retreated when faced with opposition (Matthew 2:14,
22;4:12; 12:15; 14:13; 15:21; 16:4; 21:17). In Matthew 12:14 the Pharisees took counsel how “they might
destroy Him.” The Lord’s response was not to fight and make a big scene, but simply to retire from them.
This was exactly as Isaiah 42:2–3 predicted. In fact Christ humbly dealt with “battered” reeds and
“smoldering” wicks. Reeds were cheap and dispensable. A smoldering wick could be quenched with a
squeeze of the thumb and forefinger. Matthew 12:19further states He would not cause a loud public
clamor in the streets.
• This is a description of Christ’s earthly ministry in weakness. 2 Corinthians 13:4 says, “He was crucified
because of weakness.” A crucial point in Matthew 12:20is the adverb “until.” The construction in the
Greek NT gives an impression of some indefinite future time. In this age we are still seeing the weakness
of Christ—the blaspheming of His name, the mocking of Christians, and the flaunting of disobedience to
the point of lasciviousness. However, one day this will change when He returns to reign and “He leads
justice to victory.” Although great power is revealed in the gospel (Romans 1:16), the whole world still lies
in the Evil One (1 John 5:19).
• Jesus is our example (1 Peter 2:21). We are not to be brawlers but quietly and gently to be His servants.
As Paul stated, we are to eat our bread in quietness (2 Thessalonians 3:12). What a gentle Christmas
reminder Matthew 12:20 is.

47. Judges 7:2, No Boasting
• NAU Judges 7:2 The LORD said to Gideon,
"The people who are with you are too many
for Me to give Midian into their hands, for
Israel would become boastful, saying, 'My own
power has delivered me.’
• NAU Deuteronomy 8:17 "Otherwise, you may
say in your heart, 'My power and the strength
of my hand made me this wealth.’ [Deut 9:4]
47

48. Judges 7:2
• NAU Judges 7:2 The LORD said to Gideon,
"The people who are with you are too many
for Me to give Midian into their hands, for
Israel would become boastful, saying, 'My own
power has delivered me.'
• They were outnumbered 4 to 1.
• Gideon must have been thinking “Lord can you
multiply our troops by four? So it's a fair fight.”
48

49. Magog War, No Future Boasting
• NAU Ezekiel 39:21 "And I shall set My glory among
the nations; and all the nations will see My judgment
which I have executed, and My hand which I have laid
on them. 22 "And the house of Israel will know that I
am the LORD their God from that day onward. 23
"And the nations will know that the house of Israel
went into exile for their iniquity because they acted
treacherously against Me, and I hid My face from
them; so I gave them into the hand of their
adversaries, and all of them fell by the sword.
• We can know for certain this is a yet future war.
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