Scripture Reading : 2 Corinthians 10
Theme : The Soldier of God
As the word “now” (NASB) indicates, this passage begins a new section of the epistle, particularly addressed to the false apostles and their deluded followers who were bidding their time to conduct more subtle warfare against Paul. To stamp out the last traces of their rebellion, Paul’s tone became strong, authoritative and confrontational.
- Qualities of God’s soldier (10:1-6). Before beginning his assault on the false apostles, Paul expressed his unwillingness to engage in combat out of compassionate desire to spare his rebels. But the false apostles had twisted Paul’s genuine humility as cringing weakness and this compelled Paul to fight fiercely to preserve his integrity for the sake of the truth. They were mistaken to think that Paul was not a competent soldier, for Paul, being armed with the truth of God, was fully equipped to win the spiritual battle.
- Defense of God’s soldier (10:7-18). In defending his authenticity as the true apostle of Christ, Paul gave the marks of a true man of God and commanded the Corinthians to consider the evidence that are before them. A true man of God is known by his relationship to Jesus Christ (v7). He does not intimidate people, but use his authority to build up the church (v8). He does not rely on fleshy methods (v10), but on the power of God (1 Cor 2:5) to persuade people. His life was totally consistent whether in private or in public (v11). He is humble (v12, 15-17) and contented to minister within the sphere in which God has placed him (v13). Unlike false teachers who focused in temporal acclaim, he only looks toward his heavenly reward (v18).
Praying the Scripture
- All believers are soldiers in the spiritual war against the kingdom of darkness. Let’s pray that we will be a courageous warrior for the truth, while at the same time be compassionate and humble.
- Spiritual warfare is not a battle with demons, but a battle for the minds of people who are captive to lies and ideologies devised by demonic powers that are in opposition to Scripture. Hence, the objective of our warfare is to change how people think so that they will no longer be held captive to a damning ideology. To assault and throw down the fortresses of false religions, opinions, beliefs and philosophies, only one weapon will suffice: the truth. Thus the only offensive weapon in the Christian soldier’s armor is the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:17). Let’s pray that we will be fully equipped with the Word of truth to fight in the spiritual war.
- Humble men of God realize that they have nothing to boast about. The essential truth, “he who boasts is to boast in the Lord” (cf. Ps. 20:7; Ps. 34:2; Jer. 9:23-24), is a stinging rebuke to all self-glorying false teachers. Let’s pray that we will strive to be a humble messenger of God, seeking only for the Lord’s glory and the Lord’s reward.
经文：哥林多后书10
主题：神的精兵
这段经文开启了书信的另一阶段，专门针对当时隐暗攻击保罗的假教师和被他们欺哄的信徒而论。为彻底断绝他们最后的抵挡，保罗的语气变得强烈，并带权威，绝不相让。
- 神精兵的素质（10:1-6）。对假使徒展开攻击前，保罗申明他实际上想怜悯这些悖逆的人，放过他们，不愿与他们对战。可是，假使徒却扭曲保罗的真心谦卑为无耻懦弱，而这促使保罗勇猛作战，为真理的缘故持守自己的诚信。他们误会保罗，以为他作不了战，可保罗因有神真理的装备，已充分预备在这属灵争战中得胜。
- 神精兵的辩护（10:7-18）。在为自己是基督的真使徒作辩护时，保罗列下了真实属基督之人的标志，并吩咐哥林多人看清摆在自己眼前的证据。属神之人与耶稣基督有良好的关系（7节）。他不恐吓人，而是使用神所给予自己的权柄建立教会（8节）。他劝诫人信主时不依靠世俗的方式（10节），而是依靠神的力量（林前2:5）。无论在公共地方或私人场所，他的行为是一致的（11节）。他为人谦卑（12, 25-17节），满足于神所给予他的事工范围。与假教师有别的是，他不在乎短暂的称誉，乃仰望属天的赏赐（18节）。
用经文祷告
- 每一个信徒都是与黑暗国度打属灵争战的精兵。让我们祷告我们会为真理作勇敢的战士，同时要有怜悯谦卑的心。
- 属灵战争并不是与魔鬼争战，而是为赢得辖制在魔鬼的谎言与思想人作战，因为那都是与圣经敌对的事。因此，我们争战的目的是要改变人的思想，叫他们不再被魔鬼的思想捆绑受害。我们只需要一样武器就能跨倒假宗教，假主义，假信念和假学说：真理。为此，信徒作战的军装里只有一个进攻的武器，即“圣灵的宝剑，就是神的道”（弗6:17）。让我们祷告我们会以真理武装全备，作属灵的战。
- 属神的虚心人会晓得他们没有什么可夸的。“但夸口的，当指着主夸口”（参：诗20:7,34:2；耶9:23-24）的必要真理是对所以自求荣耀的假教师一个剧大的斥责。让我们祷告我们会求作神谦卑的使者，只寻神的荣耀与赏赐。
