As mentioned in the introduction episode, with its radical shift in tone and subject matter, there is a thought among scholars that 2 Corinthians 10-13 represent another Pauline letter addressed to the church—a fifth. In my estimation, this is a reasonable position. Reread the chapters before this one and tell me that Paul’s words haven’t become harsh; some argue that this is not a fifth letter but the harsh letter that Paul refers to at the beginning of 2 Corinthians. Decide for yourself, of course. 

“I ask that when I am present I need not show boldness by daring to oppose those who think we [Paul] are acting according to human standards.” Someone in the Corinthian church—or maybe even a group within it—has charged Paul with “acting according to human standards”, and that he is unfit to follow. He states that he may be merely human, but when the gospel message is threatened his weapons will “have divine power to destroy strongholds.” These accusers are hindering the church in its knowledge of God, but Paul’s arguments will overcome their efforts and will “take every thought captive to obey Christ.” This matters so much that Paul, himself, is writing these words, as he expresses his readiness to go to war and “punish every disobedience” when the congregation has come to fully obey God. Perhaps the church was beginning to side with Paul’s accusers?

Things don’t seem to be going too well in the church, and Paul’s comment here seems to indicate that the Corinthians have allowed themselves to be led astray. “If you are confident that you belong to Christ, [you better look at me and ask yourself if you really still do. Compare your life with Christ with mine.]”

I can’t help but hear Cartman here. “You will respect my authoritah.” Of course Paul isn’t using his apostolic authority in the same way at all. His has been given to him in order to build the church and not destroy it. He reminds of this with the caveat that he doesn’t want them to think that he is trying to frighten them back to their unhindered walk with Christ. Paul’s statement implies that his accusers may well be claiming authority within the church but are using it like Cartman would. 

Let’s not call them accusers; let’s call them challengers. They say, “He talks a big game on paper, but in person he’s too afraid to.” Paul responds that he will speak what he has written when present with them in the church. 

He understands his limits and will not even attempt to give the Corinthians an opportunity to choose between him and the challengers by comparison. They are boastful and proud and—apparently—number more than one since “they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another.” By doing so, “they so not show good sense.” They are behaving like the Corinthians were in Paul’s first letter to them—each trying to stand above the other. Paul, on the other hand, submits himself to God and will not go beyond the boundaries that have been divinely set for him. He knows his limitations and strengths, but more importantly he knows why he does what we does: He does it for God. 

You see, God had sent him to the Corinthians and equipped him appropriately reach them with the good news. He doesn’t claim to be able to do more, since all he wants to do is what God would have him to, and God has approved Paul. 

Now we see that these challengers are presenting the Corinthians with an alternative message; they are tempting the church to say that it doesn’t need the gospel with which Paul preached to and formed them. He, as their spiritual father, had betrothed them to Christ as a bride. He was convinced that they would rise to challenge and become chaste again, but now he is not so sure. 

He's unsure about their ability to persevere because they seem willing to embrace any false teaching or “different spirit” that comes their way.

A clearer picture of Paul’s challengers begins to develop with one compound word: “super-apostles.” Perfect hair, speech, and physique were tools of the trade in much of the Roman Empire’s travelling philosopher industry. They would come into a town and share their wisdom, for a price, of course, and they would use themselves as the proof of their message. Strengthening Paul’s doubt that the Corinthians will remain faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ is that these apostles’ messages aligned perfectly with the lives that they were already living before Paul preached to them. On the contrary, Paul failed on all these accounts except for knowledge. Apparently, he wasn’t much to look at or listen to. 

Paul distinguishes the way that he came to, preached, and lived with he Corinthians from the way that the super-apostles are. He preached the message free of charge; he found financial support from alternate sources and refuses to make himself a burden to them. He was everything that they are not. How he answered his call reveals that “the truth of Christ is in [him]. And even if the Corinthians abandon him, as he has already stated that he believes they will, he “will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia.” If they abandon him, he will go on to the next town not because he no longer loves them but because he does! 

Paul will continue to do what he does to combat their message and work because of who they are and for whom they work. They are “boasters…false apostles, deceitful workers, [who] disguise themselves as apostles of Christ.” This is who they are. And who do they work for? Say it with me Church Lady. “Could it be…Satan?” And their end will be the same as their master’s and their deeds: destruction. If it is not of God, it cannot and will not last no matter how shiny, expensive, complicated, or respected.

Their talk, the way they carry themselves, everything about them is foolish and, from Paul’s perspective ridiculous. But for some reason the Corinthians are lapping it up. So Paul tells them he is going to change tactics and act toward the Corinthians in the same way. He’ll boast and tell you how awesome and cool he is. And why?

There may be a touch of sarcasm here—just a touch. The Corinthians think that they are so wise, yet even in their wisdom they “put up with [the foolishness of the super-apostles” even when they make slaves of the Corinthians, “preys upon…or takes advantage…or puts on airs…or gives [them] a slap in the face.” If that is the result of your wisdom and strength, I’m glad I’m not those things, Paul says. 

And the picture becomes even more clear. These super-apostles are Hebrews. Paul’s evidence against them, so far, doesn’t suggest the exact content of the false gospel that they are teaching. His main criticism, thus far, is how they are teaching this gospel. Although the more I think about it, it may well be in keeping with the today’s prosperity gospel. That would have gone over very well in Corinth. 

Here is Paul’s proof that he is more awesome and manly than they. All these things he has been through—and still has to deal daily with anxiety about the churches, and they call him sad and pathetic. 

But Paul isn’t going to boast about these things that he has endured; they don’t mean anything in and of themselves. What matters is why he underwent them. What was so important to him that he was willing to endure all that? The gospel, that’s what.