"What makes you feel inferior to other churches? Is it because I have not allowed you to support me financially? My humblest apologies for this great wrong!" (II Corinthians 12:13, Phillip translation)
In last week's lesson, the apostle Paul (in II Corinthians 12:1-10) began by returning to the theme of boasting, and the foolishness of it all--noting, however, that it was necessary, under the circumstances--and "caused by them"--for him to have to separate himself from the false apostles and establish his credentials as the true apostle of Jesus Christ! And so he wrote that he "would go on to speak (maybe boast a little?) of visions and revelations he had received from the Lord"! And he spoke "of a man in Christ who fourteen years earlier had been caught up into the third heaven (into Paradise, the very place where God dwells), whether in the body or out of the body, he didn't know"! But a place where "the man heard inexpressible words which a man is not permitted to speak"! And he went on to say that "on behalf of such a man, in all humility (speaking of himself!), he would boast"!
But, in what can only be seen, in retrospect, as a bit of "weasel-wording," he said that on his own behalf he would not boast except in his weaknesses, but that if he did wish to boast about it, it would not be foolish, for it would be the truth"! But then he seemed to contradict himself by adding that "he would refrain from saying it, so that no one would credit him with more than he sees in him or hears from him" (even though he did not, in fact, refrain from actually saying (boasting about?) the very things he said he would not say)! Wow!
Then he wrote that "because of the surpassing greatness of the revelation, there was given him a thorn in the flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment him, to keep him from exalting himself"! And although "implored the Lord three times that it might leave him," the Lord didn't remove it, but said to him: "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weaknesses"! To which Paul responded with these remarkable words: "Most gladly therefore I will rather glory (boast?) in my infirmities that the power of Christ may dwell in me! Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong!" And so, the theme of last week's lesson--"power in weakness"! (And lending further credence to Rod's depiction, last week, of Paul as an "underdog"!)
All of which set the scene for our lesson last night where the apostle Paul, still in a defensive mode (as the "underdog," and wreathing with sarcasm), begins (in verse 11) by writing more about what he calls his "foolishness" in having to defend himself against his critics in the church of Corinth, who should have been commending him instead! For "in no respect was he inferior to (and here he uses a little of that sarcasm) "the most eminent apostles (speaking of the false apostles!), even though I am a nobody"!
Then he claimed that he had, in fact, "performed all the signs of a true apostle among them, with all perseverance, by signs and wonders, and miracles"--something they should have been clearly seen while he was with them! (They're all recorded in the book of Acts, and impressive, as noted by Kirk in his presentation last night!)
"In what respect have you been treated as inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not become a burden to you (by not taking financial support from them for his ministry)? My humblest apologies for this great wrong!" (He blurts this out with blatant sarcasm!)
Then, on a softer note, he likens his relationship to them (in verse 14) as one between a parent and a child! "For children are not responsible to save up for their parents, but parents for their childrn! I will gladly be expended for your souls! If I love you more, will you love me less? But be that as it may, I did not burden you myself...and (and contrary to the suspicion that some had) Titus and the brother I sent to you didn't take advantage of you either, right?" And he goes on to note that "It is in the sight of Christ that we (speaking of himself as well as for Titus and the other brother) have been speaking in Christ; and all for your upbuilding, beloved!"
But then, in thinking about his planned and soon coming third visit, he expressses fear (in verses 20-21) that, when he comes again, he might "find them to be not what he wished, and them finding him to be not what they wished"! And that "perhaps there would be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip. arrogance, and disturbances..." and that when he comes again God might humble him before them and he might have to mourn over many of those who had sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, immorality, and sensuality which they have practiced!"
Wow! We see in this passage the human side of Paul and yet the abundance of his love and concern for the spiritual needs of the Corinthian brothers! And we remember how he had earlier, in I Corinthians 11:1, "humbly" extolled them "to imitate him as he imitated Christ!"
And we closed this emotionally-drivn passage with a song that seemed to amptly fit the occasion: "Rise up, O men of God! Have done with lesser things. Give heart and mind and soul and strength to serve the king of kings!" Amen! Just like the apostle Paul!
Til we meet again,
Lowell
In last week's lesson, the apostle Paul (in II Corinthians 12:1-10) began by returning to the theme of boasting, and the foolishness of it all--noting, however, that it was necessary, under the circumstances--and "caused by them"--for him to have to separate himself from the false apostles and establish his credentials as the true apostle of Jesus Christ! And so he wrote that he "would go on to speak (maybe boast a little?) of visions and revelations he had received from the Lord"! And he spoke "of a man in Christ who fourteen years earlier had been caught up into the third heaven (into Paradise, the very place where God dwells), whether in the body or out of the body, he didn't know"! But a place where "the man heard inexpressible words which a man is not permitted to speak"! And he went on to say that "on behalf of such a man, in all humility (speaking of himself!), he would boast"!
But, in what can only be seen, in retrospect, as a bit of "weasel-wording," he said that on his own behalf he would not boast except in his weaknesses, but that if he did wish to boast about it, it would not be foolish, for it would be the truth"! But then he seemed to contradict himself by adding that "he would refrain from saying it, so that no one would credit him with more than he sees in him or hears from him" (even though he did not, in fact, refrain from actually saying (boasting about?) the very things he said he would not say)! Wow!
Then he wrote that "because of the surpassing greatness of the revelation, there was given him a thorn in the flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment him, to keep him from exalting himself"! And although "implored the Lord three times that it might leave him," the Lord didn't remove it, but said to him: "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weaknesses"! To which Paul responded with these remarkable words: "Most gladly therefore I will rather glory (boast?) in my infirmities that the power of Christ may dwell in me! Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong!" And so, the theme of last week's lesson--"power in weakness"! (And lending further credence to Rod's depiction, last week, of Paul as an "underdog"!)
All of which set the scene for our lesson last night where the apostle Paul, still in a defensive mode (as the "underdog," and wreathing with sarcasm), begins (in verse 11) by writing more about what he calls his "foolishness" in having to defend himself against his critics in the church of Corinth, who should have been commending him instead! For "in no respect was he inferior to (and here he uses a little of that sarcasm) "the most eminent apostles (speaking of the false apostles!), even though I am a nobody"!
Then he claimed that he had, in fact, "performed all the signs of a true apostle among them, with all perseverance, by signs and wonders, and miracles"--something they should have been clearly seen while he was with them! (They're all recorded in the book of Acts, and impressive, as noted by Kirk in his presentation last night!)
"In what respect have you been treated as inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not become a burden to you (by not taking financial support from them for his ministry)? My humblest apologies for this great wrong!" (He blurts this out with blatant sarcasm!)
Then, on a softer note, he likens his relationship to them (in verse 14) as one between a parent and a child! "For children are not responsible to save up for their parents, but parents for their childrn! I will gladly be expended for your souls! If I love you more, will you love me less? But be that as it may, I did not burden you myself...and (and contrary to the suspicion that some had) Titus and the brother I sent to you didn't take advantage of you either, right?" And he goes on to note that "It is in the sight of Christ that we (speaking of himself as well as for Titus and the other brother) have been speaking in Christ; and all for your upbuilding, beloved!"
But then, in thinking about his planned and soon coming third visit, he expressses fear (in verses 20-21) that, when he comes again, he might "find them to be not what he wished, and them finding him to be not what they wished"! And that "perhaps there would be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip. arrogance, and disturbances..." and that when he comes again God might humble him before them and he might have to mourn over many of those who had sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, immorality, and sensuality which they have practiced!"
Wow! We see in this passage the human side of Paul and yet the abundance of his love and concern for the spiritual needs of the Corinthian brothers! And we remember how he had earlier, in I Corinthians 11:1, "humbly" extolled them "to imitate him as he imitated Christ!"
And we closed this emotionally-drivn passage with a song that seemed to amptly fit the occasion: "Rise up, O men of God! Have done with lesser things. Give heart and mind and soul and strength to serve the king of kings!" Amen! Just like the apostle Paul!
Til we meet again,
Lowell
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