The Realities and Limits of Paul’s Authority

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: 2 Corinthians 10:7-18

 

2 Corinthians 10:17-18

But “he who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” ¹⁸ For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.

(NKJV)

 

In 1 Corinthians 9, the Corinthians question Paul’s authority as an Apostle. The contents of this text indicate there may still be some questions, so Paul provides teaching on the reality and limits on his authority in Christ. While Paul is writing specifically to the Corinthians, his teaching on the reality and limits on his authority in Christ have application to the Church today.

 

This text begins with a question asking the Corinthians if they look at things according to outward appearances. Paul also asks those convinced they belong to Christ to consider that Paul and those with him are also in Christ (2 Corinthians 10:7). Even if Paul appears to boast about the authority given to him in Christ, it is not for the destruction of the Corinthians but their edification for which Paul is not ashamed (2 Corinthians 10:8). Some say that Paul’s letters are weighty and powerful but his words in person are weak and contemptible (2 Corinthians 10:9-10). The weightiness and power of Paul’s words when absent are demonstrated in his deeds when present with them (2 Corinthians 10:11). This is the reality of Paul’s authority.

 

Paul now discusses the limits of his authority by teaching that it is unwise for one to commend him or herself or to compare themselves among others in the Church, something Paul and those with him dares not do (2 Corinthians 10:12). Instead, Paul and those with him refuse to boast beyond the measure of the sphere provided by God (2 Corinthians 10:13). Paul’s sphere does include the Corinthians and why he came to them with the Gospel of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:14). Paul hopes that as the faith of the Corinthians increases, so will his sphere of influence (2 Corinthians 10:15). Paul wants his sphere of influence to go beyond the Corinthians as their faith increases and the establishment of their faith (2 Corinthians 10:16). Paul wants the Corinthians to see him glorifying and commended by God (2 Corinthians 10:17-18).

 

In answer to questions about his authority (1 Corinthians 9), and the context of his previous teaching on spiritual warfare in 2 Corinthians 10:1-6, Paul establishes the reality and limits on his authority.

• The reality of Paul’s authority (2 Corinthians 10:7-11) – Paul’s authority is an authority given to him by God to edify the Body of Christ and not its destruction (2 Corinthians 10:8)
• The limits of Paul’s authority (2 Corinthians 10:12-18) – The authority of Paul’s ministry is limited to the sphere of influence given to him by God, which included the Corinthians at this time of his ministry (2 Corinthians 10:13).

 

The Church has spiritual authority, but that authority has limits on where and how each Church body should administer its authority. In his previous teaching on spiritual warfare, Paul established the reality of Church authority and the reality of the resources available to conduct spiritual warfare (2 Corinthians 10:4; Ephesians 6:10-18). This is the reality of Church authority, an authority seldom recognized and exercised.

 

The Church must also prioritize its Spiritual authority. When viewed as a body, the Church has many members created and designed with various gifts and talents. In Acts 1:8, Jesus’ final words before ascending was that the Church be witnesses of Jesus in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the end of the earth. Each of these locations represents a sphere of influence for each Church body and the priority with which the Church should exercise its authority.

 

• Jerusalem – The believers in the early Church were mostly Jews living in Jerusalem with Jesus establishing that as the first place to exert spiritual authority. Each local Church body should have as its first priority outreach to its local community and city.
• Judea – Judea is the area of Israel containing Jerusalem with Jesus establishing outreach from the local community of Jerusalem spreading throughout the Judean region. As each local Church body’s authority grows in its local community, it should begin to spread to its local state, province, or area.
• Samaria – Samaria represents the remaining area of the nation of Israel and where Jesus envisioned outreach in each regional location would spread. As Church authority grows within the local region, it should spread throughout the nation.
• The ends of the earth – This is the global outreach of the Church that grows as Spiritual authority grows nationally in a nation. However, the priority of this global outreach should not take precedence with local outreach ignored.

 

As each Church body recognizes the reality of its authority in Christ and uses that authority with the priority outlined in Acts 1:8, coupled with a heart of repentance, revival will occur, and the harvest of souls brought in. If you are reading this and have not prayed for the forgiveness of your sins and to make Jesus the Lord of your life, I invite you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post.