v1-2: Paul had been bold in his letters to the Corinthians; he intended to be "bold against some", especially those who criticised him and opposed him. Such opposition, even from Christians, is an aspect of spiritual warfare.

Paul had a reputation that his letters were bolder than his visits, see v10. It is both ironic and powerful that Paul speaks 'by the meekness and gentleness of Christ,' yet he speaks on the subject of spiritual warfare; he uses several military terms in this section. We are to approach this subject with true humility, finding our strength in Christ.

v3: Our whole life, or walk, must be according to the Spirit, not the flesh. The standards and attitudes and priorities of the world mean nothing to us. In our warfare, we recognise unseen powers and dominions. There may be physical manifestations, but the reality is unseen. The spiritual person is less worried about physical things; he is cautious in the conclusions he draws from what he sees.

v4: Since the enemy is not physical, the warfare is not physical, therefore our weapons are not carnal.

We "demolish strongholds", fortresses in our own lives, in other people's lives (e.g; Acts 16.16-18), and perhaps even in cities (e.g; Rev 2.13, "where Satan's throne is"). Strongholds may inhabit families, communities, tribes or nations (see David Devenish, Demolishing Strongholds, Chapter 5)

Here the weapons are not listed, as in Eph 6. We must be those who are progressing, pushing ahead, proclaiming the gospel of Christ, living by faith, walking in obedience, and praying.

These 'strongholds' ae both real and powerful. The wrong ways of thinking that trap us are not easily removed.

In the western world we are generally unaware of the unseen forces that influence our lives, individually, corporately and nationally. Yet the words in this section apply to all cultures in all generations. The western ignorance or denial of the 'supernatural' is itself a stronghold that needs to be demolished.

'There is a two-fold danger here. We can be influenced by a rationalistic worldview into disbelieving spiritual warfare issues, or we can swing the other way and develop an unhealthy preoccupation with the demonic.' (David Devenish, Demolishing Strongholds)

We look in the book of Acts for examples of spiritual warfare, noting the circumstances, and the way the Christians responded.

• Acts 4; opposition from the Sanhedrin; the disciples boldly proclaimed Christ, and they prayed;
• Acts 5; the deceit of Ananias and Sapphira; they were rebuked, "punish every act of disobedience";
• Acts 5; further opposition from the Sanhedrin; "teach in this Name";
• Acts 8; deceit of Simon the sorcerer; this was rebuked;
• Acts 11; Peter was imprisoned; the disciples offered constant prayer to God;
• Acts 13; attack of Elymas; he was rebuked, and smitten with blindness;
• Acts 14; idolatry at Lystra; the rebuke there was not effective, but the disciples preached repentance, and later returned to strengthen the souls of those who had trusted Christ, and they appointed leaders in the Church;
• Acts 16; the apostles were imprisoned; they sang and prayed;
• Acts 17; Athens was a city given over to idols; Paul reasoned in the synagogue and in the market place;
• Acts 18; at Corinth there was much opposition; the gospel was persistently preached;
• Acts 19; at Ephesus, there were itinerant Jewish exorcists; the Lord dealt directly with them. There was also idolatry, which Paul defeated by reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus.

We must learn from these examples, and follow the techniques laid down in Scripture, not those invented by men.

v5: We demolish, or cast down, arguments, and anything, any pretension, that sets itself up against Christ, anything opposed to God, to truth, to goodness; this may be true in an individual, or a Church. This clearly includes false doctrine. These things are in real people; we are not shadow-boxing.

Every thought is to be brought into subjection to Christ; in this way, we recognise that the mind is the key battleground; it is not just what we think about, but the way we think.

v6: Punish all disobedience; we cannot just ignore wrong, it must be dealt with. But obedience must be promoted.

'We must train the mind to think in a different way. As we know, strongholds are thought patterns, and re-training someone to think and respond in a different way helps us to destroy these faulty thought patterns by replacing them with godly ones.' (David Devenish, Demolising Strongholds)

v7-11: Paul speaks of his authority from the Lord. He feels obliged to write this way, because of the attitude of some of the Corinthians.

v7: Some at Corinth looked at the outward appearance, or the show of eloquence, and judged Paul by the same standard, as in v10. His bodily presence and his speech did not impress them. But they neglected the spiritual realities, the true measure of a person.

v8: Paul had been given authority from the Lord Jesus to be an apostle. But this authority was for building them up, "rather then pulling you down". When he wrote with rebuke and firmness, he had that end in view.

v9: Paul's intention was clear: to build up the Corinthians, not to try to frighten them. Others may have misrepresented him.

v10-11: Any apparent inconsistency between appearance and reality would be sorted out. If the accusation was that Paul's letters are "weighty and forceful", then they could expect that he would take the same attitude when he met them.

v12: Some commend themselves, because they compare themselves among themselves, setting their own standards. They seek to please men, not God; they do not seek the spiritual counsel of godly men, nor do they seek the spiritual well-being of others.

v13: Paul was conscious that God had called him to a specific sphere of influence. Beyond that sphere, he would not interfere with the ministry of others. However, since that sphere did include the Corinthians, Paul would give himself for their blessing. It is important to recognise where God has called us, and to what work, and fulfil that calling.

v14-16: Paul had no wish to tread on the toes of others, but his concern was to serve God faithfully in the places and the work allotted to him. Nor would he take credit for the work of others. Authority and humility belong together.

v17-18: Our boast is in the Lord, who has called us to serve Him. We look for His commendation.