Paul defends himself because he was under constant false accusation that he was an imposter and not a true apostle of Jesus Christ.
As Les Feldick teaches, Paul's critics pointed out that he had not walked with Jesus for three years like Peter, James, and John, and they accused him of heresy and of not bringing the truth. This is why the first part of 2 Corinthians deals with Paul's defense of his apostleship, and why the issue resurfaces again in chapter 10.
2 Corinthians 10:10 — This verse records the specific accusation Paul faced—that his letters were weighty but his bodily presence was weak and his speech contemptible.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 — Paul answers his accusers by describing the spiritual nature of his warfare, showing why his defense was not carnal.
In 2 Corinthians 10, Paul responds to those who accuse him of walking according to the flesh: "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh" (10:3). He explains that "the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds" (10:4). He also records the accusation made against him: "For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible" (2 Corinthians 10:10). These verses show that Paul was aware of what his critics were saying and that he answered them directly.
Les Feldick emphasizes that Paul had to defend his apostleship constantly because he was falsely accused. According to Les, the Jewish element in Corinth and later the Judaizing Jews accused Paul of being an imposter, a heretic, and someone who had "drummed all this up himself." They pointed out that Paul had not walked with Jesus for three years like Peter, James, and John, and that he had no badge of authority or letters of commendation. Les also notes that Paul was accused of not bringing the truth because he did not agree with the Judaizers in Jerusalem. This is why, as Les stresses, the first part of 2 Corinthians—up to 2 Corinthians 6:10—deals primarily with Paul's defense of his apostleship, and the issue reappears in chapter 10.
Les shows that the Jewish element in Corinth asked, "Who do you think you are? You're just an imposter." Because Paul had not walked with Jesus during His earthly ministry like Peter, James, and John, and because he carried no letters of commendation, his critics questioned his authority. The Judaizing Jews especially attacked him as someone who had made up his message and had no badge of authority.
Les points out that the entire first part of 2 Corinthians, up to verse 10 of chapter 6, deals with Paul's defense of his apostleship. He also observes that the defense appears again in chapter 10, where Paul is under constant attack from Judaizing Jews who saw him as an imposter with no credentials.
Paul answers those who accuse him of walking in the flesh by saying the weapons of his warfare are not carnal but mighty through God. He also records the specific accusation that his letters are weighty and powerful but his bodily presence is weak and his speech contemptible.
Godly Sorrow vs. Worldly Sorrow — 2 Corinthians 7:10 Explained
Hello, and welcome to Through the Bible with Les Feldick. An Oklahoma rancher and farmer, Les Feldick has been teaching homestyle Bible classes for 20 years in Iowa, Oklahoma, and Texas. Les Feldick's unique style of Bible teaching has made the books of the Bible come to life. When Les is teaching, it's so interesting that people say time just seems to fly by. And now, here is Les Feldick.
Constant False Accusation
Les shows Paul was aware that the world gloats over believers' faults, so he tried to keep himself blameless; Paul was constantly falsely accused and had to defend his apostleship.
Accusation of Being an Imposter
Les explains that the Jewish element in Corinth said Paul was just an imposter because he had not walked with Jesus for three years like Peter.
Defending Against Heresy Charges
Les says Paul defends his apostleship because people accused him of heresy and being an imposter, even though God designated him to take salvation to the Gentiles.
Defends Apostleship in All Letters
Les notes that Paul's need to defend his apostleship appears throughout his letters, including when addressing the carnal divisions at Corinth.
2 Corinthians 1–6:10 Defense
Les shows that the first part of 2 Corinthians, up to 6:10, deals primarily with Paul's defense of his apostleship.
Accused of Not Bringing Truth
Les says Paul was accused of not bringing the truth because he was not agreeing with the Judaizers in Jerusalem.
Judaizing Jews' Attacks
Les highlights that Paul was under constant attack from Judaizing Jews who called him an imposter with no badge of authority or letters of commendation.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5: For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Paul uses these words to answer those who accused him of walking in the flesh.
2 Corinthians 10:10: For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.
This is the accusation of Paul's critics that he was aware of and answered in his defense.
Les teaches that the Jewish element in Corinth and later the Judaizing Jews attacked Paul as an imposter who had not walked with Jesus like Peter, James, and John. They also said he had no letters of commendation or badge of authority.
Yes. Les says Paul was accused of heresy and of not bringing the truth, primarily because he did not agree with the Judaizers in Jerusalem. He had to constantly defend his apostleship because of these false accusations.
Les says the whole first part of 2 Corinthians—chapters 1 through 6:10—deals with Paul's defense of his apostleship. The defense continues in chapter 10 because Paul was under constant attack from Judaizing Jews.
Watch the Teaching: Godly Sorrow vs. Worldly Sorrow — 2 Corinthians 7:10 Explained