2 Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) I. ITS WEAPONS. 1. They are not carnal. They are not — (1) Miraculous. Miracles were employed in the cause of truth; but they were never intended to be permanent. (2) Coercive. The civil magistrate has sought by penalties to force Christianity upon the consciences of men. Such means misrepresent it, and were proscribed by its Founder. (3) Crafty. In nothing perhaps has the craftiness of men appeared more than in connection with the profession of extending Christianity. 2. Though not carnal, they are mighty — through God because — (1) They are His productions. Gospel truths are the ideas of God — remedial ideas embodied in His Son; and they are the "power of God." The gospel has proved itself the greatest power in the social world. (2) They are the instruments of God. When we put our ideas in a book we cannot personally accompany them. We know not their effects, and then we die, and must leave them behind. But God goes with His ideas, and works by them. II. ITS VICTORIES. 1. They are mental. There is not much glory in destroying the bodily life of man. Wild beasts, a poisonous gust of air, will excel man in this. And then you do not conquer the man unless you conquer his mind. 2. They are corrective. They do not destroy the mind nor any of its native faculties, but certain evils that pertain to it. (1) The evil fortifications of the mind. The depraved mind has its strongholds against truth and God — prejudices, worldly maxims, associations, passions, habits. (2) The corrupt thinking of the mind: "Casting down imaginations" (marg. "reasoning"). It is against evil thinkings, whether of a poetic, a philosophic, or any other character. (3) The antitheistic impulses of the mind: "and everything that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God." Every feeling and passion that rise against God. 3. They are Christian. They are victories won for Christ. (D. Thomas, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) |
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