[2 Cor 10: 1-18]

This one was tough to get my head into.  I would benefit well from a good commentary... my problem is finding one which I feel is solid enough.  On my computer I have four, each with a different style of dissection.  Whenever I get confused, I go read what each has to say.  All four are very interesting, but I don't think they ever come to precisely the same conclusion.  It's comforting in a way.   I know our understanding is imperfect, and so it is an interesting exercise to read about wise, informed people coming to different conclusions.  And, you know, not hating each other for it.
In chapter ten, Paul is talking about himself.  He starts out by illustrating his wish - to be bold in his letters, so that when he comes to be with them in person he can be meek.  That's valid.  That's like an adult saying to their child "Clean your room before I get home" so that when they come home there's a warm relationship possible.  Paul points out that those who walk according to the flesh will judge Christians AS IF Christians also walked according to the flesh, which is why a lot of what Jesus teaches looks like hypocrisy / ignorance / foolishness to the world.  Then he says,
 "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses."  That last bit especially made me think for a while.
The rest of the chapter is Paul talking about boasting.  His finer points are, as of this reading, lost on me (Barnes notes an irony and sarcasm in the text that is too subtle for my gleaning) but his wrap-up is clear enough.  "But he who boasts is to boast in the Lord.  For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends."  We can't use ourselves as the standard of anything, and the entire notion of approval based on our own merits is contrary to an accurate understanding of the gospel.

- J