Exercise of Authority

Eugene Peterson (The Message) in his introduction of II Corinthians says:"Because leadership is necessarily an exercise of authority, it easily shifts into an exercise of power. But the minute it does that, it begins to inflict damage on both the leader and the led. Paul, studying Jesus, had learned a kind of leadership in which he managed to stay out of the way so that the others could deal with God without having to go through him. All who are called to exercise leadership in whatever capacity—parent or coach, pastor or president, teacher or manager—can be grateful to Paul for this letter, and to the Corinthians for provoking it."

He is basically referring to the transition from I Corinthians, where the apostle Paul confronts many unbiblical practices in the Corinthian church, to II Corinthians where he talks about his own authority as an apostle of Jesus Christ. There may have been some criticism levied him as a result of the directness of I Corinthians.  Maybe a little of "Who are you to be the boss of me?" Paul wasn't trying to exert some kind of power over them in teaching them the Word, but he did have the authority from God to teach.  There is a great deal of difference between having the authority to teach and exerting power over someone. There are great lessons of leadership in II Corinthians. Paul had the lessons of the leadership of Jesus Christ, a servant, an under rower, grace giver (II Timothy 2:1-2), a frontrunner in the true sense of the Word. The power of God that both showed was power that built up, encouraged, comforted, and empowered to do the same for others. I am looking forward to delving into II Corinthians from this point of view.

Here's a start:

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort (link); Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. (comfort or consolation is used many times in II Corinthians)

Spiritual Authority

There are many types of authority, but none is as powerful as spiritual authority.  It is not something that is sought, it is something that is given. It is what grace is all about. There is no mistaking it. It’s the wind in your sails undaunted by waves, storms or lightning. It moves mountains, and the impossible becomes possible. It is not obtained  by works, but by believing in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and all that it represents.

Abraham is called the ‘father of believing’. God promised him a fruitful life and He never backed off on that promise. Even when the law was given to Moses, God still remained faithful to what he promised Abraham. Abraham looked to the coming Christ and what it would mean as an inheritance from God.

Galatians 3:17-19: And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.  For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave (Link-charizomai) it to Abraham by promise.  Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, til the seed should come to whom the promise was made;

Galatians 3:29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

The Galatians of Paul’s time needed to hear this, as do many people who think they are justified by the law today. The law has no spiritual power because grace, which is the power of God imparted to us, is unearned. It is believed.

Galatians 5:4: Christ is become of no effect (Link-katargeo) unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.


If God is the wind in your sails, why would you want to jump overboard and swim back to shore? Works take us back to the shoals of fruitless action. Putting up with the navigational hazards of shallow water, seems safe but it renders a vessel powerless not to mention it wrecks the prop when you start the engine.

Spiritual authority and power is not just reserved for those of certain calling. We all have a calling. Every person in Christ has access to God through the Word and His spirit within. Not recognizing this produces spiritually immature people who become dependent on others as well as their own limited strength rather than God.

With our sails up in believing, having the love of God from the Word as our rudder, and the hope of Christ’s return as an ready and waiting anchor, we can get to wherever need to go.