2 Corinthians 10:6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Now I do not desire that. First I wish to correct you, and only then to proceed to the punishment of those men. What could be more indulgent than this mercy? Since he sees that those close to him have entered communion with his adversaries, he wishes to strike a blow. Yet he spares them and restrains his anger until they separate themselves from the adversaries. Then he may punish those alone, or rather, not even punish them. For this reason he threatens those close to him also. For this reason he says that he wishes to recover them alone for himself. Thus they too, corrected by fear, may be changed, and his anger may be poured out on no one. In everything he acted as a skilled physician, as the common father of all, as protector and defender. So great was his care for all. Everywhere he removed obstacles and subdued harmful men. He was everywhere himself. He did not reach his goal by conflict. Rather, as though going to an easy and ready victory, he raised trophies, overthrew, destroyed, and scattered the strongholds of the devil and the snares of demons. He transferred all captives into the army of Christ. He did not give himself rest even for a little while. He swiftly passed from some to others, and from these again to still others. Like an experienced commander, daily, or rather hourly, he raised trophies of victory. Entering the ranks in a single tunic, he took the cities of his opponents together with their inhabitants. Paul's tongue was bow, bowstring, arrows, and everything. He only spoke, and his words struck his adversaries more powerfully than any fire. He drove out demons and brought to himself the men possessed by them. When he expelled the evil spirit in Ephesus, fifty thousand people who practiced occult arts gathered together. They burned their books of magic and turned to the truth. In war, when the walls of a fortress fall or a tyrant is overthrown, all those with him throw down their weapons and go over to the opposing commander. So it was then also. As soon as the evil spirit was expelled, all those held under siege by him threw away their books, or rather destroyed them, and hastened to Paul's feet. Fighting against the whole world as against one army, he stopped nowhere. As if borne on wings, he did everything. At one time he healed the lame. At another he raised the dead. At another he punished with blindness. I mean the sorcerer (Acts 13). Even when he was shut in prison, he did not remain idle. There also he drew the prison guard to himself and continued to capture men into this beautiful captivity. Therefore let us also imitate him as far as possible. But why do I say, "as far as possible"? Anyone who wishes can draw near to him, observe his art, and learn his courage. Even to this day he does the same thing: "casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God." Although many heretics set themselves to tear him apart, even when divided limb from limb he displays great power. Marcion and Mani both used him, but only by cutting him into pieces. Yet by these very pieces they are convicted. Thus even one hand of this valiant man, when it is among them, drives them away with the greatest force. One foot, when it is among others, pursues and overthrows them. Thus you may know the wealth of his power. Even when cut into pieces, he is strong enough to destroy all who oppose him. "But," you will say, "this shows insincerity, if all who dispute with one another use the same Paul." Yes, it shows insincerity, but not Paul's. It shows the insincerity of those who use him. In Paul himself there is no confusion or uncertainty. He is simple and clear. They, on the contrary, have distorted his words according to their own opinions. But why did he speak in such a way as to give occasion to those who love disputes? He did not give occasion. Their own madness did, because they used his words improperly. So too this whole world is wondrous and great, and clearly reveals the wisdom of God. "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night reveals knowledge" (Ps 18:1-2). Yet many stumbled even over this and held errors opposed to one another. Some marveled at it beyond measure, even to the point of considering it God. Others recognized so little beauty in it that they did not regard it as a work worthy of God's creation. They attributed most of it to some evil matter. Meanwhile God guarded both groups from error by making the world beautiful and great on the one hand. Thus they could not think it unworthy of His wisdom. On the other hand, He made it with deficiencies and not self-sufficient, so that they would not regard it as God. Yet men, blinded by their thoughts, fell into contrary opinions. By refuting and reproaching one another, they defend both God's wisdom and their own reasonings, which led them into errors. But why do I speak of the sun and heaven? How many wonders did the Jews see before their own eyes, and shortly afterward they worshiped the calf. Or again, they saw that Christ drove out demons, and yet they called Him demon-possessed (Jn 8:48). But this does not condemn the One who drove out the demons. It accuses those blinded in mind. Therefore do not condemn Paul because of the opinions of those who used his words for evil. Rather, strive to know his treasure fully and uncover his riches. Then, armed with his weapons, you will courageously withstand all. You will be able to stop the mouths of both Greeks and Jews. "How," you ask, "when they do not believe him?" By pointing to what he accomplished for them and for the correction of the whole world. Indeed, no human power could have produced such great deeds. The power of the Crucified, which animated Paul, made him stronger than rhetors, philosophers, tyrants, kings, and all rulers. He could not only put on armor and overthrow adversaries. He could also make others victors. Therefore, in order to become useful both to ourselves and to others, let us always have him in our hands. Let us delight in his writings as in a beautiful meadow or garden. In this way we shall be able to be delivered from vice, to love virtue, and to receive the promised good things. May this be by the grace and love for mankind of our Lord Jesus Christ, with whom to the Father and the Holy Spirit be glory, dominion, and honor, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Thoughts first take shape in us through the struggle of worse things with better things. Then exaltations appear in honor of the victors, rising against the knowledge of God, so that they reach the state called excitement or ecstasy.

For thought is a simple and immediate activity of the mind, presenting the things themselves rather than proof. It seems that such thoughts also exist in those deceived by demons. Paul, and everyone guided by his spirit, takes them captive into obedience to Christ.

He also teaches that "whoever is confident in himself that he is Christ's can judge by himself that Paul also is Christ's." Apostolic authority was given to him not for disorder, but for edification.

"And let anyone who doubts our power and authority know," the Apostle adds, "that as we are in word by letters when absent, so we are also in deed when present."

"Enveloped in such reasonings, they are confident that they sit firmly and are secure not only from destruction, but even from attack.

"But then the Apostle comes with a grace-filled word. Unbelief with impiety flees before the face of the fear of God. Sin with egotism and passions flees before the face of conscience.

"The spirit that had been in captivity, made alive by the grace of God, rises to freedom and joyfully gives itself over into the captivity of obedience to Christ.

"This is the captivity of the mind in obedience to Christ. The mind gives itself in obedience to Christ, in the confidence that by this alone true life and true freedom are preserved.

"This obedience embraces the whole moral and religious order of the Church. Whoever acts against it in anything is a transgressor and draws righteous vengeance upon himself.

"This is precisely what the Apostle now says: that with us authority and power are always ready to avenge every disobedience. I will use it among you as soon as the obedience of the obedient is fulfilled, and the disobedient distinguish themselves of their own accord" (Bishop Theophan).

They always fulfilled this. They persuaded those who violated order in any respect to correct themselves. Those who remained incorrigible they excommunicated.

After the Apostles, their successors acted in the same way, and so it is done to this day.

This is precisely what the Apostle now says. We always have ready the authority and power to avenge every disobedience. But he says this with application to the circumstances of the Church of Corinth.

He had already pointed out to them the disorders that had crept in among them, and he awaits correction. Titus assured him that readiness had been expressed there to correct everything, but that some undertook this unwillingly.

Perhaps these were the very ones who said that the Apostle was weak when he acted in person.

Saint Paul now reminds them that the authority to act against the disobedient, entrusted to him from above as one of the weapons mighty through God for building up the Church, is always in his hands.

He is always ready to use it as soon as need appears. He will use it among them as soon as the obedience of the obedient is fulfilled, and the disobedient set themselves apart by their own actions.

"The Apostle has described the reason for his longsuffering. We are waiting, he says, to persuade the greater part by word and exhortation, and then to punish those who intend to resist further" (Theodoret).

Saint Chrysostom says: "Here the Apostle frightens not only those who slandered him, but all the Corinthians. He says to them: We are waiting for you.

"When you have corrected yourselves according to our instructions and threats, have purified yourselves, and have ended communion with the slanderers, then we shall separate them alone.

"We shall subject to punishment only those who suffer incurably, as soon as we fully know that you have withdrawn from them. For although you obey even now, you do not yet obey completely.

"First I wish to correct you, and only then to proceed to the punishment of those men. What could be more condescending than this mercy?

"Since he sees that those close to him have entered into communion with the adversary, he wishes to strike a blow. But he spares them and restrains his anger until they separate themselves from the adversaries.

"Thus he may punish only these, or rather, not punish even them. For this reason he threatens those close to him. For this reason he says that he wishes to bring them alone back to himself.

"He does this so that the others too, corrected by fear, may be changed, and thus his anger may be poured out on no one.

"In everything he acted as a skilled physician, as the common father, protector, and defender of all. How much care he had for all!

"Everywhere he removed obstacles, subdued harmful men, and was present everywhere himself. He attained his aim not by struggle, but as though advancing to an easy and ready victory.

"He raised trophies, overthrew, destroyed, and scattered the strongholds of the devil and the snares of demons. He transferred all the captives into the army of Christ.

"He did not give himself rest even for a short time. He passed quickly from them to others, and from these again to still others.

"Like an experienced commander, every day, or rather every hour, he raised trophies. Having entered the ranks of war in a single tunic, he captured cities and their inhabitants.

"Paul's tongue was bow, spear, arrows, and everything. He only spoke, and his words struck the adversaries more powerfully than any fire.

"He cast out demons and drew to himself the men possessed by them. When he cast out the evil spirit in Ephesus, a great multitude who practiced secret arts assembled.

"They burned magical books worth fifty thousand drachmas and turned to the truth. In war, as soon as the walls of a fortress fall, or the oppressor is overthrown, all those with him throw away their weapons.

"They pass over to the commander of the opposing side. So it was then also. As soon as the evil spirit had been expelled, all those held by him under siege threw away their books.

"Or rather, they destroyed them and fled to Paul's feet. Fighting against the whole world as against one army, he nowhere stopped.

"As though borne on wings, he did everything. At one time he healed a lame man. At another he raised a dead man. At another he punished with blindness, I mean the sorcerer (Acts 13).

"Even when shut in prison, he did not remain inactive. There too he drew the jailer to himself, continuing to seize men into his good captivity."