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Response
False teachers were causing chaos in the church that Paul had established in Corinth. These deceivers were sowing discord, leading many to oppose Paul’s authority. In 2 Corinthians 10, Paul confronted these rebels, including the false teachers, and reaffirmed his apostolic ministry. As part of his defense, Paul declared, “For the weapons of our warfare are not worldly but powerful in God for tearing down strongholds” «(for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) », (2 Corinthians 10:4, NKJV). In this context, tearing down strongholds refers to breaking down barriers of resistance in people’s minds, especially how the rebellious Corinthians viewed Paul and the legitimacy of his apostleship.
Paul recognized that the conflict he was facing in Corinth was spiritual warfare. He had established the church with “the meekness and gentleness of Christ” «Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: », (2 Corinthians 10:1). He had not asserted dominance over the people, seeking to impress them with a dominating personality or eloquence. Instead, Paul had operated in Christlike humility «Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. », (Matthew 11:29). His strength resided in the gospel that he preached «For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. », (Ephesians 6:12).
Because of Paul’s humble attitude, the false teachers judged him by his external presence, finding him “timid” and “unimpressive” «Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: », (2 Corinthians 10:1,10) «For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. », (2 Corinthians 10:1,10). They completely missed the divine power that endowed his ministry. They evaluated Paul’s ministry “according to the flesh” «For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: », (2 Corinthians 10:3) and not according to the Spirit of God.
Christians cannot fight spiritual battles with weapons of the flesh. The only way to successfully engage in spiritual warfare is to abandon carnal methods and worldly attitudes and follow the Lord’s command. An Old Testament illustration of “pulling down strongholds” is found in the battle of Jericho.
Jericho’s walls are like the walls of resistance in the minds of rRebellious individuals must be torn down. In Joshua’s time, God’s people, through faith, followed His Word and obeyed His commands, resulting in the fall of the walls of Jericho (Joshua 6:1-27). The battle belonged to the Lord, fought in His way and according to His instructions. From a human perspective, the entire event seemed absurd. “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong” (1 Corinthians 1:27). The mighty walls of Jericho crumbled instantly by God’s hand. Similarly, by faithfully obeying God’s commands, Christians demolish spiritual strongholds.
Thoughts conflicting with the truth of God’s Word act as a mental barrier—a stronghold. Paul encountered this stronghold in the Corinthian church. Pride and intellectualism had elevated their thinking, blinding them to the truth. The “message of the cross” appeared foolish to these spiritual rebels, yet Paul understood its divine power. “For the preaching of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18). The believer’s strategy for tearing down strongholds involves presenting God’s Word truthfully and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform the other person’s thoughts, attitudes, and perceptions. “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).
Paul’s gentle and humble attitude established a potent spiritual weapon against the prideful stance of his opposition. Scripture reveals that pride is Satan’s predominant attitude and primary pitfall (Isaiah 14:13-14; Ezekiel 28:2, 17). God opposes the proud but favors the meek (James 4:6-7, 10; 1 Peter 5:5-6; Psalm 149:4; Proverbs 18:12). The Lord rescues the humble but brings down the haughty «And the afflicted people thou wilt save: But thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring them down. », (2 Samuel 22:28).
The Bible mentions several weapons for pulling down strongholds and engaging in spiritual warfare. These include the Word of God, prayer, demonstrations of love and humility, the armor of God, and the power of God’s Spirit working in our lives. However, as Paul showed the Corinthians, the key is to rely on God’s divine power and not our own.
