2 Corinthians 10:8 Commentary and Bible Study

As an apostle, Paul had been called and commissioned by the risen Lord. Who were the apostles? Well, they were a special category of messenger given by God in the first days of the church. They were the disciples who with the exception of Judas became apostles, plus one who was specially appointed by the apostles, and the apostle Paul called out of due time. And they were inspired of God. There was only one generation of apostles, and you knew who they were because they could do signs and wonders and mighty deeds. They were attested by God.But what was their task? And why were they needed? Well, because revelation was being poured out. The New Testament was being given and it was given sometimes through apostles. They were inspired men so they had to be authenticated by God with signs, wonders and mighty deeds. Or they were those who authenticated the Scriptures that were given by New Testament prophets. Everything was attested by the apostles. That was one of their tasks, to confirm the New Testament books of the Bible, the revelation of God. They were appointed also to provide an example. What the apostles were called by God to do is what the church should always do throughout successive ages. They are to be imitated in their style, their manner of churchmanship and what they set up. Then again they testified to the risen Lord. They had all seen the risen Lord, and died for him as martyrs. They were the first leaders of the church; they were not to be replaced. They were special, they were unique.We do not care for the word boast, but it is not meant here in a bad sense. He means, ‘Though I should glory somewhat’ – speak more about my apostleship. I do not like to do that, he says. I do not like to appear to be strutting round asserting my apostleship, so I do not speak of it much, but I am going to have to do so now because it has been challenged by these false teachers. He says this because otherwise it might be thought he was trying to overwhelm people or browbeat them. When he does do this, it is not for his own sake, but for the sake of the churches to help them appreciate and defend and stand behind God’s appointed apostles, vital for the instruction and health of the churches. He wanted to be seen as a helper in their faith, so he prefers to appeal to them as brethren rather than assert his apostleship.The false teachers criticised him: ‘For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.’ It was not altogether untrue. He was not of an impressive build and he spoke simply, not according to the great flourishes of Greek oratory, and they held him in contempt for that.