Chapter 10 of 2 Corinthians begins a sharp divide with the nine chapters that have preceded it, a break that continues through the rest of the letter. The first nine chapters revealed a significant struggle between Paul and the Corinthians, but it seems in those chapters that Paul felt that they were making progress. As we saw in the previous lectionary passage, Paul felt confident enough in chapter 8 to urge the Corinthians to finish taking up the offering for the church in Jerusalem. From chapter 10 on, however, Paul is ready for a fight. Chapter 10 begins with Paul using images of war as he prepares himself for battle. Those nice words about reconciliation in chapter 5 seem to be evaporating as Paul swings into attack mode.

What happened? Why the sharp break between chapters 9 and 10? …