2 Corinthians 10:1-11

By the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am "timid" when face to face with you, but "bold" when away! I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world.

(v1-2, NIV)

Though Paul seemed very bold in his writings to them, by comparison he seemed timid when he was with them. He is asking them to remove this charge from them. He does not want to have to prove himself, even though he can prove himself. What's interesting is that this boldness he expects to direct towards certain people regardless. Those people are the ones who think that Paul is living by the standards of this world.

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.

(v3-6, NIV)

Paul is describing the differences between him and the fleshly. This is the difference between the followers of Christ as those who live by the standards of this world. There is a clear difference and the weapons of the followers of Christ seem more fierce and scary. If they are charging Paul to prove himself to them, they are also asking Paul to use his weapons which are given to him by God and wielded through the power of God. These accusations are not only towards Paul, but "against the knowledge of God" (v5, NIV). Paul will not stand for an accusation against God and if they do not retract their accusation he will be forced to take action.

You are looking only on the surface of things. If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as he. For even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than pulling you down, I will not be ashamed of it.

(v7-8, NIV)

It may seem on the surface that Paul is bold in his writing but timid when present with them. However, this is not the case. They are only looking on the surface and so they cannot see the truth. His boast is not something he is ashamed of. This boast is in the Lord. We should never be ashamed of boasting in the Lord. How or why would you ever be ashamed for any boast? In a sermon by John Piper, he describes a few different situations where you would be ashamed of boasting. One was about a kid who boasts he can outrun the new skinny kid in the neighbourhood. However, when they actually race, the new skinny kid ends up beating him. In another example, one kid knows that another kid at school has a father who's in jail. So he makes fun of the other kid and his dad and brags about how his father is respectable and honest and would never go to jail. However, one day he comes home to find that his dad has been accused of embezzling money. There were other stories, but I think you get the idea. So, with that in mind, how do you avoid being ashamed? You can have an honest dad, or you can have strong enough legs so you can beat the skinny kid in a race. Another way is that you can keep your mouth shut and not brag. I can't remember what else John Piper said, but God is not like us humans. Humans can sin and we let each other down all the time. If you are a follower of Christ, can you name one time where God let you down? I can understand that some of you may possibly think of one. However, I believe that it may seem like that through our narrow perspective. I find that whenever I feel let down by God, sooner or later I look back and am that much more strengthened in my faith by Him. I just couldn't see it at the time.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

(Jeremiah 29:11, NIV)

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

(Romans 8:28-29, NIV)