2 CORINTHIANS 10
Ques Do you think we may gather from this chapter that the grace and lowliness of the apostle had been taken advantage of by the Corinthians?
CAC I thought that the very absence of self-assertion in the apostle had been used to belittle him by those who [p. 313] wanted a place for themselves; he felt that he had to vindicate his own ministry and service though he felt that he was a fool all the time but it was for the good of their souls. To think little of the apostle was to think little of his ministry. I suppose that the effort of the enemy is that the vessel may be disregarded and, in that way, the ministry is brought into neglect. He does not force the matter but brings out the beautiful tenderness of divine grace which, when it comes into the world, comes in in this beseeching manner. It is really the whole spirit of Christ; He invites us to Himself as One that is meek and lowly in heart; it is really the essential spirit of christianity. I suppose there was authority to deal with what was lawless. He does speak about his rod of apostolic power that he could apply to those that were lawless, but he did not wish to have to use it. He was looking to separate the saints morally from the disorderly spirits that had got in amongst them. It was like 2 Timothy 2: 21, “separating himself from them”.
I think that in this second epistle there was a certain measure of uneasiness with the apostle lest he should not find all he desired. There was a good deal of exercise going on but he was able to discern that they had not bottomed the matter. There is a great difference between people that are going wrong and those that are going right. In the main the Corinthians were going right but there was a lot yet to be put right. Things were not absolutely right or wrong; there is always more or less right and wrong with us and he was free to tell them so. He yearns over them; all his fears about them were the outcome of his love. His desire was that all should be led to the obedience of the Christ.
The apostle is engaged in this warfare in order that he might win the field for God. It seems to me that the enemy was seeking to get a footing among these saints so [p. 314] that there might be something in the assembly that was opposed to the knowledge of God. There should be nothing in the assembly but what is of Christ. He says that he was of Christ. I think that Paul had in view that certain men were really servants of Satan. The principle applies that if we allow reasonings and high thoughts we shall not arrive at the knowledge of God. It is such a wonderful thing that the obedience of Christ is to characterize the saints. In a certain way we have to fight this fight ourselves; things arise in our minds that have to be put down and not allowed. If I apprehend my own measure rightly I shall know that I have, everything to learn. I have to be a learner and not a reasoner. When we are simple and going on in the fear of God it is very easy to discern what is of the flesh and what is of the Spirit. It is very remarkable that the apostle should begin by speaking of himself as a christian and not as an apostle. He sets himself before them as a christian first.
They were not on the line that he was on, “We henceforth know no one according to flesh”, 2 Corinthians 5: 16. They did not measure things spiritually but in a fleshly way. We ought to weigh things and consider what their spiritual substance is. This is important in service and in ministry. Some at Corinth evidently thought that the apostle had no business to interfere in their local matters; they considered that they were quite capable of looking after their own affairs. If we were always careful not to go beyond our own measure we should often save ourselves trouble.
Ques What is the rule which is referred to in verse 13?
CAC I thought that it had been ruled by the God of measure that the apostle should reach to them. It was apportioned that the apostle should win this assembly for Christ, but now other men had come in and said, ‘This is a fine field for us to magnify ourselves’. I think that [p. 315] without any spiritual power they were trading on the apostle’s work. What could these modern infidels do in a heathen country? It is all very well for them to trade on what is ready to hand. I thought that the apostle was bringing all this out to show the difference between a true servant and a false. I think it was a shame that they had not reckoned them up long before this. If we are really boasting in the Lord we should not want to commend ourselves. If I am boasting in the Lord I can be content that He should commend me.
They had hindered the apostle before when they were in a bad state and now he looks that they may help him by their good state. It is very gracious of him to speak thus. It is not for want of understanding now that we go wrong; it is because we do not pay attention. We talk of sinners being ‘gospel hardened’ but we are very much like them ourselves; we do not always allow the Lord to search us and to try us. What the apostle had committed to the Lord was the whole vindication of his service; he could leave it to the Lord.