2 Corinthians 10:7-8 Look at the obvious surface. If anyone is confident that he is Christ’s, let him remind himself that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we. 8 For even if I boast a little too much of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be ashamed.
Paul challenges the Corinthians to look at the evidence right before them. He has explained things clearly. They are aware of the issues. They know the gospel. He has reminded them of the gospel in this letter, previous correspondence, and personal visits. He challenges them to see the crucial connection they all have with Christ. He uses a form of conditional sentence to set up the obvious response the Corinthians should give to this situation. Those who are true believers and know they belong to Christ will recognize that Paul and his companions also belong to Christ. The evidence should speak for itself. Paul should have no need to lay out, but he will go ahead and do that in ch. 11 but in such a way that he shows his weaknesses.
Paul feels it is critical at this juncture to appeal to his authority as an apostle and follower of Jesus. The danger and threat are serious and so will take a strong response. Paul wants the Corinthians to see the danger of the false apostles. He has no apologies for what he about to do. It is for their own good. He recognizes in v. 8 that his authority was given by the Lord Jesus to build up the church. His motives are pure, although his actions may come across as harsh.
It may be difficult to apply this in all situations. We need to recognize that sometimes we may need to use tough love like Paul did with the Corinthians. But we must do this carefully and with the purest of motives. Even then, what we say may be interpreted in the wrong way. Paul had years of relationship and investment in this church. These were not strangers but Christian family. Paul had no reason to be ashamed of correcting this situation in Corinth. If we must correct a situation, we must make sure that we have spent time in prayer and come with the confidence of a clear conscience and full assurance that we have the leading of the Holy Spirit.
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