2 Corinthians 10

Here in chapter 10 we get a glimpse of the criticism which the apostle Paul faced from those in Corinth. Some suspected him of "walking according to the flesh" (vs 2), and others were saying, "His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account" (vs 10).

Paul's response to this criticism is humble, yet tactful and authoritative. He knew that if he said nothing he would lose the confidence of the church; but if he responded by asserting his credentials, he would be guilty of the same thing his opponents did, which he already denounced in chapter 3.

So, he insists that his authority was given by God for their good (vs 8), and he subtly reminds them that it was because of his ministry that they are believers (vv 13-14). But even in saying these things about himself he is careful to express them in such a way that it reveals the state of his heart to the Corinthians. What I mean is that he wants them to know that he is not "boasting beyond limits," or said another way, he is not "boasting in himself." Rather, in humility, he wants all that he does regarding the Corinthians to be for their good and God's glory.

There are certain desirable qualities a person might have, which, if they were to demonstrate constantly, would get extremely annoying (like if a person is always happy no matter what). Humility, however, is not one of those qualities. And in verses 17 and 18 of this chapter, Paul is urging us to be marked by humility. These two verses are worth memorizing and meditating on: "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord. For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends."