2 Corinthians 10 Paul's Defense

Unfortunately, Paul had to defend his apostleship to the church at Corinth due to false teachers who were trying to nullify his ministry. Instead of lashing out against the false teachers, Paul defended himself in the meekness and gentleness of Christ (vs. 1). Unlike Paul, it is obvious that the false teachers in the church were not using the same tactics to gain followers. These other teachers were "warring in the flesh" with their outward appearances and by ranking themselves against other people in the church. Those in the Corinthian church that would have followed these teachers showed some immaturity by not realizing the faults in their methodology. Paul also acknowledges the purpose of his apostleship, to edify the church, not to destroy it. Paul gave a final warning in the last two verses of the chapter. These instructions are a great way to discern the motives of an individual in ministry. Verse 17 and 18 say, "But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth."
Verse 5 gives us our challenge for the day. "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." Let us please the Lord today in our thoughts as well as our actions.