2 Corinthians, 10
10. For [his] letters, say they, [are] weighty and powerful; but [his] bodily presence [is] weak, and [his] speech contemptible.
10. For [his] letters, say they, [are] weighty and powerful; but [his] bodily presence [is] weak, and [his] speech contemptible.
Chapter 10 of Paul's second letter to the Corinthians is dedicated to defending the apostle against those who accuse him of being weak and not having authority as leader of the church. Paul begins by explaining that although he is a human leader, his authority comes from God and that he is not fighting human weapons, but with divine help. He then continues to argue that his criticism is not personal, but for the good of the Church and for the glory of God. Here are five verses related to the topics addressed in 2 Corinthians 10:
Ephesians 6:12: "For our struggle is not against blood and flesh, but against the principalities and the powers, against the dominators of this dark world, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly regions." This verse emphasizes the idea that Paul's struggle is not against human beings, but against the spiritual forces of evil.
Colossians 2:10: "And you are perfect in Him, which is the head of every principality and power." This verse points out that Paul's authority comes from Jesus Christ, which is the head of all authorities.
1 Corinthians 4:3-4: "However, it is very little to me to be judged by you or by a human court, nor do I judge myself. For I feel guilty, yet I consider myself justified, but I consider myself justified , for who judges me is the Lord. " This verse shows that Paul does not care about human opinion, but on the opinion of God, which really has the authority to judge him.
2 Corinthians 13:10: "Therefore I write these things being absent, so that when present, it does not use rigor, according to the authority that the Lord has given me for edification, and not for destruction." Here Paul again emphasizes that his authority comes from God and is used to build the church.
1 Peter 5:5: "Similarly you, the youngest, thirst subject to the elders. And girds you all with humility to each other, because God resists the superb, but gives grace to the humble." This verse highlights the importance of humility regarding leadership and suggests that the kind of leadership Paul is defending is a humble leadership and subject to God.
“O grau sublime da humildade é não só reconhecer a abnegação, mas amá-la.” São Padre Pio de Pietrelcina
