THE ESSENCE OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE IN 2COR 10:3-6

THE ESSENCE OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE IN 2COR 10:3-6

When the phrase "spiritual warfare" is mentioned, many Christians immediately think of prayer. However, a careful review of Paul's strong comments to the oft-carnal Christians of ancient Corinth reveals that **debate** factors significantly into the mix of what constitutes "spiritual warfare." Of course such debate must be done in conjunction with prayer; never to its exclusion! But Paul's comments reveal his own apostolic conviction that debate against falsehood is really at the heart of what it means to wage "warfare" without using "carnal" "weapons."

In 2Cor 10:3-6, debate ... contending for the truth ... is the essence of "spiritual warfare."

Here's what Paul wrote [with some interspersed bracketed editorial comments that I hope will bring clarity to Paul's line of reasoning. If not for you, then simply ignore my bracketed comments]:

"For, although we [i.e. Paul and Timothy - 2Cor 1:1] walk in the flesh, we [Paul and Timothy] do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our [Paul's and Timothy's] warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, [i.e. ...] casting down arguments [such as the Corinthian Christians and their 'false apostles' brandished to counter the true gospel and Paul's authority as a genuine Apostle - 2Cor 11:4, 5; 12ff] and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God [such as what the Corinthians and their 'false apostles' possessed], bringing every thought [of the Corinthians et al] into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience [of those Corinthian Christians and their 'false apostles' who did not abandon their 'warfare' against the true gospel and against Paul's authority as a genuine Apostle] when your obedience is fulfilled [i.e. when the rest of the Corinthian Christians forsake the 'false apostles' and line up with what Paul had been trying to tell them]" (2Cor 10:3-6).

From the above, we learn something about spiritual warfare. It is not mostly about prayer at all, but about debate. Let's break down Paul's line of reasoning for easier analysis:

1. His and Timothy's "warfare" was not the kind that uses metal swords, spears, arrows, and shields...or even hand-to-hand combat ("not carnal").

2. His and Timothy's "warfare" was Divinely energized for its purpose ("mighty in God").

3. The targets against which his and Timothy's "warfare" was waged include:

(A) "arguments"

(B) "[elevated thought-structures, mental ramparts] that exalt [themselves] against the knowledge of God [as taught in God-breathed Scripture and/or as proclaimed by Paul et al]"

(C) "thought[s]" of other people [not primarily Paul's or Timothy's] which had strayed from or never did reflect "the obedience of Christ"

4. His and Timothy's "warfare" took for granted that they both had authority to "punish all disobedience" if, after the arguments have been cast and countered, those people in opposition persisted in their arrogance against "the knowledge of God [and] the obedience of Christ."

So now, when the phrase "spiritual warfare" is mentioned, please do not reflexively think of prayer only or even primarily. Think debate! Paul did! Also think "punish[ment]" ... if it is needed. Truth be told, Paul and his trainee Timothy had an approach to discipleship that many of us today might feel a bit uncomfortable with. But, then again, is the goal of real Christian discipleship, patterned after what we witness of discipleship in Scripture, for people to merely feel comfortable ...?

-Michael Millier