Read 2 Cor. 10:1-2
1. Though Paul pleads with the Corinthians, he does it with the meekness and gentleness of Christ.
Describe those who are meek and gentle. What difference might this attitude have made?
2. Paul reveals that there are some who accuse Paul of “walking according to the flesh”. What does
this mean? Why might he be accused of this? Do we at times “walk in the flesh”? What does this
look like?
Read 2 Cor. 10:3-6
1. Paul says that in a sense, we all walk in the flesh. What does he mean by this?
2. And though we walk in the flesh, we don’t war according to the flesh. Use Eph. 6:12 to explain this.
3. (vs 4-6) “Carnal” means “of the flesh”. But the spiritual weapons we have in God are mighty.
According to these verses, what are these spiritual weapons used for? Fill in the chart and explain
each use of these weapons.
Uses for Spiritual Weapons Explanation
1. 1.
2. 2.
3. 3.
4. 4.
4. Satan is active and well in our world and in our lives, but God has given us the tools we need to win the war against him. We need to learn to recognize the enemy’s ways so that we can respond effectively and biblically. Comment on Chuck Smith’s Three R’s for Spiritual Victory: So, there are really the three R’s I call the spiritual victory. And the one is to recognize the source of the attack. This is the enemy at work. He’s attacking me. Having recognized it, then I can deal with it by resisting it in the name of Jesus. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. And then the third key to victory is to rejoice in the victory of the Lord over the powers and the forces of darkness, and as you rejoice you find the depression goes; you find that the irritation leaves, and you begin to really feel victory in Christ. And what a difference the day becomes because you have taken that victory that is yours through Christ over this attack of the enemy against you. – Smith
Read 2 Cor. 10:7-11
1. Early Christian writings tell us that indeed, Paul was physically unimpressive. Paul says the Corinthians were judging him on his outward appearance, rather than looking at his heart for them. Just like Paul, we want others to know our heart in matters. How does this preoccupation with ouward appearance relate to our society today?
2. As we have seen previously, Paul is uncomfortable talking about his credentials. According to verse 8, for what purpose did God give Paul authority?
3. (10-11) Paul again finds the need to defend himself. What is he saying? This could be applied to the habit of some on social media today. Your thoughts?
Read 2 Cor. 10:12-18
1. (vs 12) And again Paul addresses a situation that occurs today. Rather than compare ourselves with others, whose example should we follow? What does that look like?
2. (vs 13) The idea of the limits of the sphere comes from the lanes that were allotted for runners in a race. The Corinthians would recognize this because they loved races and held the famous Isthmian Games in Corinth. Paul is saying, “I’m running in my own lane and not in someone else’s.” – Guzik How would you apply this idea to serving in the church?
3. Paul’s authority in the church was not without limit, but it did include the church at Corinth. According to verse 14, why was this?
4. As the Corinthians matured in their faith, they would spread the gospel through outreach. How does this explain Paul’s words in verse 15?
5. It is probable that those who opposed Paul were boasting in accomplishments that were actually in Paul’s sphere of authority. What is Paul saying in verse 16?
6. (vs 17) Paul wrote the same thing to the Corinthians in 1 Cor. 1:31, and similar things can be found in Gal. 6:14 and Ps 44:8. But the most thorough statement of this command is found in Jer. 9:23-24. Summarize these verses and consider how we can apply this in our lives.
7. Verse 18 seems to go against what the world teaches, but remember that the Lord sees things so much differently than the world. God looks at our heart, our motive, our attitude. How does verse 18 relate to verse 17? What other verses might encourage others to live life with this in mind?