Knowing The Word in 2 Corinthians 10:7-8, Authority

7 Look at what is before your eyes. If anyone is confident that he is Christ's, let him remind himself that just as he is Christ's, so also are we. 8 For even if I boast a little too much of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be ashamed.

These verses suggest that Paul’s opponents are probably among the Corinthians since they are before their eyes. Paul claims his authority is for building them up, not tearing them down. That is why he is spending so much time in his letter correcting them. His correction proceeds from love, and he loves them so much that nothing will stop him from his mission.

Behold the prodigal! To thee I come,

To hail my Father and to seek my home.

Nor refuge could I find, nor friend abroad,

Straying in vice and destitute of God.

O let thy terrors and my anguish end!

Be thou my refuge and be thou my friend:

Receive the son thou didst so long reprove,

Thou that art the God of love!

Matthew Prior, 1664-1721