Weapons Not of the Flesh

The final section of the letter, chapters 10 to 13, takes on a sharper tone as Paul confronts opponents in Corinth. He begins not with force but with the meekness and gentleness of Christ. His critics said he was humble in person but bold in letters, and they accused him of walking according to the flesh, by mere human standards.

Paul responds with a military image. Though believers walk in the flesh, they do not wage war according to the flesh. Their weapons are not worldly but divinely powerful for tearing down strongholds. These strongholds are arguments and every lofty thing raised against the knowledge of God. Believers take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. Paul's authority, given by the Lord, is meant for building up the church, not destroying it, and his actions in person will match his letters.

Paul refuses to classify or compare himself with self-commending rivals. Measuring themselves by themselves, they lack understanding. Paul keeps within the field God assigned, which reached as far as Corinth, and he does not boast in other people's labors. He hopes their growing faith will enable him to go further, preaching the Good News in regions beyond. He closes with Jeremiah 9:24, the one who boasts should boast in the Lord, adding that approval comes not from self-commendation but from the Lord's commendation.