Powers and Principalities
Principalities in the Bible
Christianity Oasis provides this Powers and Principalities in the Bible lesson on the Principalities Bible verse bringing forth truth, understanding and peace.
Christianity Oasis Ministry
presents
Daily Bread Devotional Bible Study
The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians
Chapter 10
Powers and Principalities in the Bible
Principalities Bible Verse
Welcome to our Christianity Oasis Daily Bread study program. This is our thought provoking and very concerning Powers and Principalities in the Bible discussion taking a look into the Principalities Bible verse. The absolutely essential powers and principalities in the Bible message will truly bring a smile to the lips and heart and shine the LIGHT of Truth upon your be-YOU-tiful Christian walk path.
Powers and Principalities in the Bible Truth
Principalities Bible Verse Quest
It is always nice to have you back with us at Daily Bread! Have you ever assumed something about a person's character, and found out that you were completely wrong? We've all done this in two opposite ways, expecting little and discovering much, and at other times, expecting much and being disappointed. Impressions can be deceiving. Paul intends to clear things up for those in Corinth who judged him by appearance and expected that the strength of his character was insufficient.
1 Now I Paul myself beseech [ask] you by the meekness and
gentleness of Christ, who in presence [in person] am base [humble]
among you, but being absent am bold [strict] toward you:
2 But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am
present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against
some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
This is Paul's polite way of saying, Usually, I'm fairly mild mannered when I visit you, but being absent now, I'm gonna be a little ... Assertive. I beg you, don't make me be stern when we get there because some of you think we're like the rest of the world.
Powers and Principalities in the Bible Facts
Principalities Bible Verse Explained
3 For though we walk in the flesh [we are human], we do
not war after the flesh [we do not use human strategy]:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but
mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
What Paul is referring to is what he also wrote to those in Ephesus:
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood (mankind), but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (these are all evil entities).
Now, this is how he explains this "spiritual warfare" to the Corinthians:
5 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;
6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience,
when your obedience is fulfilled.
In a nutshell, Paul is saying, things are not always as they appear. Don't judge a book by it's cover. I may seem quiet, but I can speak loudly. I may seem frail, but when I fight with the weapons that God provides, I am victorious. You can't spear a spirit, and the ideas that someone is putting in the minds of the Corinthians against Paul are coming from evil spirits working through someone. So how does Paul war with them? He defeats the "imaginations" or thoughts, or ideas that are presented, with Truth. With the weapons God provides, he can make even the most prideful souls desire to surrender and be obedient to Christ!
Powers and Principalities in the Bible Fear
Principalities Bible Verse Warning
7 Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? if
any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself
think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.
8 For though I should boast somewhat more of our
authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for
your destruction, I should not be ashamed:
9 That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.
10 For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful;
but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.
11 Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in
word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when
we are present.
12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or
compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they
measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among
themselves, are not wise.
13 But we will not boast of things without our measure,
but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed
to us, a measure to reach even unto you.
Powers and Principalities in the Bible Study
Principalities Bible Verse Concern
Whoever is judging Paul, is implying that he can't possibly have brought the Gospel to Corinth. They said he was unimpressive in appearance and that his speech was contemptible, so they've judged him incapable of the job. Then, they tried to claim the credit for the Gospel being brought to Corinth for themselves. But Paul sets the record straight:
14 For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as
though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also
in preaching the gospel of Christ:
15 Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of
other men's labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased,
that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,
16 To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not
to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand.
17 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
18 For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but
whom the Lord commendeth.
Paul wasn't trying to steal someone else's glory for the conversion of Corinth, he just hoped that their faith would increase and spread further. And anyone who wants to brag, let him brag about the Lord, because whoever brags about himself is not honored, but whoever the Lord honors.
Powers and Principalities in the Bible Summary
Principalities Bible Verse Conclusion
It's always a great experience sharing Truth and studying with you. Hope you'll come back soon as we continue our study through the New Testament, right here at Daily Bread.
There is a force out there that is attempting to overtake us all; it is Satan. There is another force that is protecting us from him; it is the Holy Spirit. It is a battle for souls. This battle is called Spiritual Warfare, and like it or not, you are right in the middle of it.
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