10 Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for edification and not for destruction.
Paul concluded the body of 2 Corinthians with a statement of his purpose in writing to the church.
10 Therefore I write these things being absent,
Paul’s warning in this section served the best interest of the church. This verse is the conclusion to 2 Corinthians.
lest being present I should use sharpness [harshness],
There would be no need for Paul to be confrontational if the church responded to his correction. This would be true if the church would reciprocate positively to 2 Corinthians.
according to the authority which the Lord has given me
Paul received authority to be an apostle from the Lord, not himself.
for edification and not for destruction [tearing down].
The purpose of Paul’s apostleship was to build (edification) Christians into maturity.
The word “destruction” only occurs in 2 Corinthians (2 Co 10:4,8) and here. The Greeks used this word for demolishing a city or building. “Edification” is to build up. Paul’s approach was to build and strengthen the church at Corinth, not to ruin it.
PRINCIPLE:
God judges realities, not appearances.
APPLICATION:
The balance between rebuke and the maturing of the church is the goal of every Christian leader. A pastor who cares for his congregation will not hesitate to “reprove, rebuke, and exhort.” The mature pastor is not primarily concerned about his reputation but builds up his people into a fully developed congregation.
