Bold. If there was ever a word to describe the Apostle Paul, bold would undoubtedly be it. Word had spread among the Corinthian Church that Paul was bold, but only in his letters. They said that in person, Paul was timid … weak even. Imagine Paul receiving this news, knowing what some of the Corinthians really thought of him. In bold like fashion, Paul confronted these claims in 2 Corinthians 10.
Firstly, Paul stated that he pleaded with them with the meekness and gentleness of Christ (v.1). Being bold and kind is biblical and expected of all believers. Jesus is known as being both the lion and the lamb. These characteristics should appear in all believers. As God’s children, we should resemble the traits of our Father and His Son. So, Paul began his response by informing the Corinthians that he was leading with meekness—which they incorrectly perceived as weakness.
However, Paul stood in his authority and proclaimed that although he came in gentleness, he would come in boldness if necessary. “I am begging you now so that when I come I won’t have to be bold with those who think we act from human motives.” (v.2) “I’m not trying to frighten you by my letters. For some say, “Paul’s letters are demanding and forceful, but in person he is weak, and his speeches are worthless!” Those people should realize that our actions when we arrive in person will be as forceful as what we say in our letters from far away.” (2 Corinthians 10:9-11 NLT).
Bold. Paul let those who spoke ill of him know he was not weak and would show them so in person if circumstances called for it. This type of boldness is admirable, yet I fear we often desire boldness in this manner so that we may appear powerful in man’s eyes with wrongful intent. Paul was bold not so that he may boast in his own authority or so that they would commend him for it, but Paul was bold so that God may be exalted. The chapter ends like so in the final two verses: As the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord. When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them.” (v. 17,18).
It shouldn’t be our intent to show mankind that we are fearless. Our intent should be to show mankind Christ—to show them that through Him, we are made bold in situations that may cause the average person to cower. This is what Paul and the other apostles did daily. They were continually thrown into threatening situations, yet they maintained their boldness.
Often, the disciples had to declare the gospel to unbelievers. Many of these people served other gods, and because Paul and the apostles preached a doctrine that called the unbeliever’s doctrine false, debates and heated arguments ensued. Paul wrote, “We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.” (2 Corinthians 10:3-4).
Paul said they would “destroy false arguments and human reasoning.” He said he would cast down imaginations or thoughts that exalted themselves against the knowledge of God (v. 5). These verses are often used in regards to personal spiritual warfare. We are taught not to fight our personal spiritual battles with worldly weapons but to take thoughts captive in our minds that wish to elevate themselves above God’s Word. Indeed, spiritual war from within, fighting for our faith in our mind, is a very real thing. We should absolutely suit up for war in the battle of the mind to ensure our faith in God prevails.
Nevertheless, in context, Paul was referring to external spiritual war … war outside of the mind. He was speaking about war that involves fighting for faith in others—the war of getting others to see the truth, the battle of freeing souls from captivity. The war that Paul spoke of wasn’t a personal one. It was one to rescue others. Paul spoke of warring against arguments, human reasoning, and false beliefs that exalted themselves against the truth of God. Paul was talking about engaging with others … having conversations that could evolve into debates, battles, and even warfare … spiritual warfare to save unbelievers’ souls from the bondage of sin and into the freedom that is Christ Jesus.
This takes a level of boldness that many of us lack. We tend to want others saved, but not at the expense of our comfort. We don’t want to engage in conversations that may result in conflict, and often, we make ourselves feel better about avoiding these conversations by stating we are maintaining peace. After all, Paul did tell us to be at peace with all men, if possible, in Romans 12:18.
And yet, it appears everywhere Paul preached the gospel, there was some level of chaos… not peace. As believers, of course, we want to maintain peace amongst others, especially within the Body of Christ. However, the Great Commission found in Matthew 28, to go into the world and preach the gospel is not to be ignored to keep peace. Disagreements, disputes, and arguments may occur when the gospel is communicated to those who do not believe. For the apostles, more than disputes occurred. Stoning, beatings, and even the loss of some of their lives happened simply because they preached the gospel.
Again, boldness and help from the Holy Spirit are needed to declare God’s Word. That’s the only way fear will not prevail, and it is the only way we can do as God commands with confidence. And so, my prayer for us all is that we will possess boldness.
I pray that we can actively engage in spiritual warfare, both internally and externally, to cast down thoughts, imaginations, and arguments that exalt themselves against the truth. May anything that reviles itself against our Lord and His Holy Word be cast down by our spiritual weapons—all of which are given by God. He knows full well how to equip His people for battle. He is an excellent trainer, and we are never alone in war.
God desires that we win in our spiritual warfare and that we come out with spoils—the treasure that is saved souls and our faith intact after engaging in war. And with His help, we will win. We can war boldly, not because we are overly confident in our own abilities but because we are overly confident in His.
So, may we be bold. May we trust God to equip us with heavenly weapons on earth to win wars not seen with the human eye. I pray this message has blessed you, and may God keep you. Let us be bold, in Jesus’s name. Amen.
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Awesome Word!!! We've gotta be Bold Soldiers in Jesus ❤️💕
What an on time word! Praise be to God!