Paul was ready to come to Corinth and punish all disobedience to God"s will and his own apostolic authority. However, he wanted to do that only after the whole church had made a clean break with the rebels in its midst. If the church would not stand with him in disciplining his unrepentant opponents, his discipline would not be effective. Unless any church as a whole is willing to support the discipline of its member or members, the discipline that its leaders seek to impose will be ineffective. [source][source][source]
Context Summary
2 Corinthians 10:1-7 - Mighty With Spiritual Weapons
Paul here makes his defense. Some who resisted his authority spoke disparagingly of his weak body and uneloquent speech. Why should they yield so absolute a submission to his words? Others suggested that he was little better than a schemer for his own ends, and that he walked after worldly maxims, 2 Corinthians 10:2. There is considerable comfort to others who are placed in the driving storm of adverse criticism, to know that this great saint passed by the same road. Be of good cheer, comrade, if you are misunderstood and maligned! It is best to leave these reproaches with your Lord. He will shield and vindicate you. "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn," Isaiah 54:17.
In reply Paul quotes the spiritual results that have accrued from his ministry, and argues that they attest the purity and spirituality of his methods. He could not have attained to such great usefulness, if his motives had been those which his enemies imputed. What a lesson 2 Corinthians 10:4 contains! In the gospel there are weapons which no human reasonings or workings can withstand; but we too often trust carnal methods, and do not avail ourselves of this invincible panoply. [source]
Chapter Summary: 2 Corinthians 10
1Against the false apostles, who disgraced the weakness of his person and bodily presence, 4he shows the spiritual might and authority with which he was armed against all adverse powers; 7assuring those who at his coming he will be found as mighty in word as he is now in writing; 12and encouraging them to reach out themselves beyond their compass
Greek Commentary for 2 Corinthians 10:6
Being in readiness [εν ετοιμωι εχοντες] This very idiom occurs in Polybius, Philo, etc. “Holding in readiness.” In 2 Corinthians 12:14 we have ετοιμως εχω hetoimōs echō for the same idea (adverb ετοιμως hetoimōs). [source]
Disobedience [παρακοην] Rare word (Plato, papyri) hearing amiss (aside), failing to hear, refusing to heed (cf. Matthew 18:17 for same idea in παρακουω parakouō). In N.T. only here; Romans 5:19; Hebrews 2:2. In contrast with υπακοη hupakoē (obedience) rather than the common απειτια apeithia (Romans 11:30,Romans 11:32). When your obedience shall be fulfilled (οταν πληρωτηι υμων η υπακοη hotan plērōthēi humōn hē hupakoē). Indefinite temporal clause with οταν hotan and first aorist passive subjunctive. Paul expects that the whole church will become obedient to Christ‘s will soon as came true. [source]
When your obedience shall be fulfilled [οταν πληρωτηι υμων η υπακοη] Indefinite temporal clause with οταν hotan and first aorist passive subjunctive. Paul expects that the whole church will become obedient to Christ‘s will soon as came true. [source]
To avenge all disobedience, etc. [] The military metaphor continued. After most have surrendered and thus fulfilled their obedience, some rebels may remain, and these will be punished. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Corinthians 10:6
Romans 5:19Disobedience [παρακοῆς] Only here, 2 Corinthians 10:6; Hebrews 9:2. The kindred verb παραλούω toneglect, Rev., refuse, occurs Matthew 18:17. From παρά asideamiss, and ἀκούω tohear, sometimes with the accompanying sense of heeding, and so nearly = obey. Παρακοή is therefore, primarily, a failing to hear or hearing amiss. Bengel remarks that the word very appositely points out the first step in Adam's fall - carelessness, as the beginning of a city's capture is the remissness of the guards. [source]
Romans 5:19 [] Here again we have “the one” ( του ενος tou henos ) with both Adam and Christ, but “disobedience” ( παρακοης parakoēs for which see note on 2 Corinthians 10:6 ) contrasted with “obedience” ( υπακοης hupakoēs ), the same verb κατιστημι kathistēmi old verb, to set down, to render, to constitute ( κατεστατησαν katestathēsan first aorist passive indicative, καταστατησονται katastathēsontai future passive), and “the many” ( οι πολλοι hoi polloi ) in both cases (but with different meaning as with “all men” above). [source]
What do the individual words in 2 Corinthians 10:6 mean?
andinreadinesshavingto avengealldisobediencewhenmight have been fulfilledyour-obedience
Greek Commentary for 2 Corinthians 10:6
This very idiom occurs in Polybius, Philo, etc. “Holding in readiness.” In 2 Corinthians 12:14 we have ετοιμως εχω hetoimōs echō for the same idea (adverb ετοιμως hetoimōs). [source]
Rare word (Plato, papyri) hearing amiss (aside), failing to hear, refusing to heed (cf. Matthew 18:17 for same idea in παρακουω parakouō). In N.T. only here; Romans 5:19; Hebrews 2:2. In contrast with υπακοη hupakoē (obedience) rather than the common απειτια apeithia (Romans 11:30, Romans 11:32). When your obedience shall be fulfilled (οταν πληρωτηι υμων η υπακοη hotan plērōthēi humōn hē hupakoē). Indefinite temporal clause with οταν hotan and first aorist passive subjunctive. Paul expects that the whole church will become obedient to Christ‘s will soon as came true. [source]
Indefinite temporal clause with οταν hotan and first aorist passive subjunctive. Paul expects that the whole church will become obedient to Christ‘s will soon as came true. [source]
The military metaphor continued. After most have surrendered and thus fulfilled their obedience, some rebels may remain, and these will be punished. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Corinthians 10:6
Only here, 2 Corinthians 10:6; Hebrews 9:2. The kindred verb παραλούω toneglect, Rev., refuse, occurs Matthew 18:17. From παρά asideamiss, and ἀκούω tohear, sometimes with the accompanying sense of heeding, and so nearly = obey. Παρακοή is therefore, primarily, a failing to hear or hearing amiss. Bengel remarks that the word very appositely points out the first step in Adam's fall - carelessness, as the beginning of a city's capture is the remissness of the guards. [source]
Independent participle again of late verb εκδικεω ekdikeō from εκδικος ekdikos exacting justice (Romans 13:4). See already Luke 18:5; 2 Corinthians 10:6. [source]
Here again we have “the one” ( του ενος tou henos ) with both Adam and Christ, but “disobedience” ( παρακοης parakoēs for which see note on 2 Corinthians 10:6 ) contrasted with “obedience” ( υπακοης hupakoēs ), the same verb κατιστημι kathistēmi old verb, to set down, to render, to constitute ( κατεστατησαν katestathēsan first aorist passive indicative, καταστατησονται katastathēsontai future passive), and “the many” ( οι πολλοι hoi polloi ) in both cases (but with different meaning as with “all men” above). [source]