2 Corinthians 10:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.

NIV: And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.

NASB: and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.

CSB: And we are ready to punish any disobedience, once your obedience is complete.

NLT: And after you have become fully obedient, we will punish everyone who remains disobedient.

KJV: And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

NKJV: and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

Paul has been describing a spiritual war between he and his co-workers for Christ, against false teachers among the Corinthians. The battlefield was the minds of the Corinthians themselves, and victory would be won when the Corinthians obeyed Christ. Using the weapons of God in God's power, Paul and his companions were fully equipped to destroy the impressive-sounding arguments of his opponents against the knowledge of God. They would capture the thoughts of the Corinthians. Since actions follow thought, the Corinthians would return to obeying Christ (2 Corinthians 10:1–6).

Paul now adds that he was ready to punish disobedience to Christ among them, but only when their obedience is complete. Likely this means Paul's first priority is to see the majority of the Corinthian believers obeying Christ in all things, including godly direction through Christ's representative: Paul. Paul and his associates are ready, though, to punish those in Corinth who refuse to obey. This may refer especially to the false teachers among them.

By punishment, Paul does not mean he has any interest or authority relating to physical harm. Even to the opponents of the gospel of Jesus, Christians are not permitted to use violence in an attempt to defend the faith (John 18:36). This was part of Paul's earlier comment that his weapons are not physical, but spiritual. The punishment referred to here would include excommunication of those to opposed to God (1 Corinthians 5:1–2). It would mean some form of spiritual discipline against those in Christ who are living in rebellion.

This is offered as a warning to those who think Paul will be too weak or soft-spoken in person to actually follow through on his strong words in this letter.

Second Corinthians 10:1–18 contains Paul's response to charges against him from critics in Corinth. They claim that though his letters are potent, he is pathetic in person. Paul does not argue either point. However, he issues a stern warning: that he will arrive prepared for boldness in Christ in punishing every disobedience. He describes the conflict with the false apostles as a spiritual war. He and his associates plan to win that battle by capturing the thoughts of the Corinthians again so they will obey Christ. He will not boast to defend himself except in the Lord.

Critics and other opponents in Corinth argue that though Paul's letters are strong and weighty, he is unimpressive in person. In response, Paul warns the Corinthians not to make him show how bold he can be when he arrives. Paul and his partners fight for the truth about God and the gospel. They battle using spiritual weapons that destroy false arguments. He won't trade boasts with the false apostles, but will only boast in the Lord, who approves of him. The Corinthians should know that—they came to Christ as a result of Paul's ministry to them as an apostle.

Second Corinthians 10 continues the pattern of Paul's letter, as he deals with one topic after another in an orderly way. After concluding his comments about the contribution to the Christians in Jerusalem, Paul tackles a personal charge against him: that he is too unimpressive in person to be a true apostle of Christ. He insists he will follow through on the strong words in his letters when he comes to see them. He is fighting a spiritual war for the minds of the Corinthians and their obedience to Christ and will not stoop to the blatant self-promotion of the false apostles. This counter of false teachers continue into chapter 11.

Second Corinthians returns to similar themes as those Paul mentioned in his first letter to this church. Paul is glad to hear that the church in Corinth has heeded his advice. At the same time, it is necessary for Paul to counter criticisms about his personality and legitimacy. Most of this text involves that subject. The fifth chapter, in contrast, contains comforting words which Christians have quoted often in times of hardship. Paul also details his expectations that the church in Corinth will make good on their promise to contribute to the needs of suffering believers in Jerusalem.