10:1 Paul's spirit is a representation of three qualities: humility, gentleness and boldness. For children of God are humbled by the intricately miraculous universe which has been created around them, are gentle in interacting with the life within the miraculous universe and yet are bold in protecting both.
10:2 Although bold, Paul wishes for his gentle nature to be perceived by us. He is impassioned and confronts injustice with fierce courage and rejection. His wishes for us to understand his tough-love nature as the humble, gentle, bold encouragement of our betterment that he intends it to be. Moreover, Paul wishes for us to understand that the powerful word and action that come from him against evil manifestations is not representative of an aggressive soul but instead, a productive and compassionate one.
10:3 The apostles directive was to help humans realize, establish, and strengthen their souls, the spirit within them. They, and God, want us to understand that our bodies are a vessel carrying our souls. So although we walk in these bodies, we do not live according to them. These bodies are vulnerable, mortal, manipulable and posses other such weaknesses. Quite contrarily, our souls are (especially when we cultivate them) invulnerable, immortal and wise.
Paul reminds us that even though we are currently housed in these bodies, we inevitably leave them and what remains is our soul. Therefore it is imperative that we nourish and improve the intellect and character of our souls. Creation is of spirit, divinity, God is a spiritual manifestation. Paul, even in human form, lives according to that which created his soul because he trusts its compassionate nature.
10:4 Paul makes the distinction between body and soul because many forget the soul and feed only the body. The body desires for itself and promotes a life of procurement and even greed. Bodies use physical weapons against each other but souls use intellect and compassion.
10:5-6 Spirit works more wisely than the body. Spirit's intention is the health and justice of the whole. Its scope is broader, it's understanding refined. The universe or at least humanity is out of sync during this period of learning but Paul wants us to understand that life is journeying toward order. The organization of life is the establishment of justice in every place. All thoughts, words and acts of injustice, disobedience of the compassionate nature of the universe, will be reigned in and eliminated.
10:7 There is an extraordinary difference between arrogance and confidence. Paul wants us to have a healthy and strong sense of self-value. When we acknowledge our position as God's children, we can take a confident comfort in the fact that we are important, valued and purposeful. Although people may not suspect from simply looking at us, we are strong and wise and resilient in spirit.
10:8 You have authority on the earth to be purposeful toward justice for all, in your household, in your neighborhood, in your community, in your city, in your region, in your state and nation and world. Whatever environment you live in, you have the authority to be bold within it. Bold in compassion. Bold in self value. Bold in promoting justice.
Arrogance is destruction. Arrogance is short-sighted, ignorant, blinded by itself. Yet confidence in yourself within your faith is edification, the spiritual and intellectual improvement of yourself. More than just having a right to be here, you are meant to be here, needed here, purposeful and impactful here on earth.
10:9-11 Paul has observed that people do not believe he is as powerful as his letters, as the philosophy which he teaches. Paul quickly assures them that, as a child of God, what he thinks, says and does are all aligned in bold faith and focus. Be as confident in yourself to challenge adversity when it questions your value or your authority over injustice.
Paul's letters are weighty and powerful because he faith is weighty and powerful. His thoughts are weighty and powerful. His actions are weighty and powerful. Be bold and confident in yourself and in your faith. God's children are not only sometimes bold. We do not need to hide behind our letters or our words because our thoughts and our actions back up everything we say.
10:12 Paul distinguishes between self-value and arrogance: arrogance is unwise. Arrogance considers only itself and therefore fails to analyze itself juxtaposed all elements of the shifting contexts of life.
10:13 Paul encourages us also to not to boast, to be humble always, but to remember that God has creating this universal sphere of thought and action for us to thrive within. We are capable of so much! We house so much purpose and ability. We did not create this universe or even this world or body that we live in, we did not even create our souls, but we were given each of them. We were given all of this freedom and opportunity, intellect and ability to utilize those things for justice and compassion, joy and creation.
10:14-17 Paul did not preach and teach across regions to rule over people. Paul traveled and taught to gather and grow God's family. Paul is not arrogant because of his accomplishments or even because of the grand purpose he was undertaking. Paul is confident that his faith can improve the lives of humanity across globe and generation. He is not boasting, rather he is humbling himself to creation as a fellow, selfless worker, serving humanity. We are so important the we are allowed to be servants of justice. And certainly it is a blessed and unique opportunity... the joy of bringing justice to the trampled over is the best feeling in all creation. We get to be the proponents and propellants of justice. We get to impact the world! We mere and fallible little humans were entrusted with so much opportunity and purpose.
10:17 Glory in your fellow work with creation, with God. Together you accomplish so much. Glory in the understanding that compassion is the origin, intent and inevitability of all life. Be humbled by that.
10:18 When creation, when God, identifies us to be spectacular proponents of justice we truly are deserving of commendation. Have the confidence to be that proponent, have the humility to do the work.
