2 Corinthians 11
Daily Bread
2 Corinthians 11
Paul Boasts About His Sufferings
16I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool. But if you do, then receive me just as you would a fool, so that I may do a little boasting. 17In this self-confident boasting I am not talking as the Lord would, but as a fool. 18Since many are boasting in the way the world does, I too will boast. 19You gladly put up with fools since you are so wise! 20In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or pushes himself forward or slaps you in the face. 21To my shame I admit that we were too weak for that!
What anyone else dares to boast about—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast about. 22Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham's descendants? So am I. 23Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. 27I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?
Observation:
Paul seems to be making his comments here in this chapter in a “tongue in cheek” fashion. As we know one of the reasons for his writing this letter to the Corinthians is that he is answering his critics who are questioning whether or not he is a true apostle. Rather than boasting about why he should be considered an apostle by a fancy pedigree, Paul instead turns to his suffering as a servant of Christ.
And as we see, Paul’s resume is pretty complete. I’m sure Paul had to take a big dose of humility to answer these claims after all he had been through for the sake of Christ. And yet in spite of all the physical hardship that he had to endure, it is compounded by his concern for the churches he planted.
In this case Paul is concerned that other false teacher are weaving their way into the churches and leading people astray by belittling his credentials. One of the claims they are making is that since he didn’t charge them for his ministry this meant he wasn’t a true apostle. But Paul reminds them that it was because of the other churches support that he was able to do his ministry for them free of charge.
Application:
Paul shows us his humanness, and how even his weaknesses can be used to give God credit. Paul shows us that being a leader is about being willing to make sacrifices for the cause of Christ. Although Paul had all of lineage and standing necessary to boast about himself (He was from the tribe of Benjamin etc..), he doesn’t try to use his background to make his case as a true apostle. Instead he turns to his suffering and weakness, which show his dependence on Christ.
No one could ever accuse Paul of not “walking his talk”. He admits he is all too human and struggles with sin “ala” Romans 7 where he says, “Why do I the things I don’t want to do, what a wretched man I am”. But even in his weakness we see His reliance on the grace of God that was sufficient to withstand even the worst of suffering. How can God use your weaknesses or struggles to lead people to Christ? How do you react when someone challenges your authenticity as a believer/leader for Christ?
Prayer: Jesus help us to follow in your footsteps and be willing to suffer as Paul did for the sake of Your Gospel. Use even our weaknesses to point to Your strength. When we are tempted to boast or defend ourselves remind us of our brother Paul’s humble example as He imitated You. In Your Name we pray, Amen.
2 Corinthians 11
Paul Boasts About His Sufferings
16I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool. But if you do, then receive me just as you would a fool, so that I may do a little boasting. 17In this self-confident boasting I am not talking as the Lord would, but as a fool. 18Since many are boasting in the way the world does, I too will boast. 19You gladly put up with fools since you are so wise! 20In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or pushes himself forward or slaps you in the face. 21To my shame I admit that we were too weak for that!
What anyone else dares to boast about—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast about. 22Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham's descendants? So am I. 23Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. 27I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?
Observation:
Paul seems to be making his comments here in this chapter in a “tongue in cheek” fashion. As we know one of the reasons for his writing this letter to the Corinthians is that he is answering his critics who are questioning whether or not he is a true apostle. Rather than boasting about why he should be considered an apostle by a fancy pedigree, Paul instead turns to his suffering as a servant of Christ.
And as we see, Paul’s resume is pretty complete. I’m sure Paul had to take a big dose of humility to answer these claims after all he had been through for the sake of Christ. And yet in spite of all the physical hardship that he had to endure, it is compounded by his concern for the churches he planted.
In this case Paul is concerned that other false teacher are weaving their way into the churches and leading people astray by belittling his credentials. One of the claims they are making is that since he didn’t charge them for his ministry this meant he wasn’t a true apostle. But Paul reminds them that it was because of the other churches support that he was able to do his ministry for them free of charge.
Application:
Paul shows us his humanness, and how even his weaknesses can be used to give God credit. Paul shows us that being a leader is about being willing to make sacrifices for the cause of Christ. Although Paul had all of lineage and standing necessary to boast about himself (He was from the tribe of Benjamin etc..), he doesn’t try to use his background to make his case as a true apostle. Instead he turns to his suffering and weakness, which show his dependence on Christ.
No one could ever accuse Paul of not “walking his talk”. He admits he is all too human and struggles with sin “ala” Romans 7 where he says, “Why do I the things I don’t want to do, what a wretched man I am”. But even in his weakness we see His reliance on the grace of God that was sufficient to withstand even the worst of suffering. How can God use your weaknesses or struggles to lead people to Christ? How do you react when someone challenges your authenticity as a believer/leader for Christ?
Prayer: Jesus help us to follow in your footsteps and be willing to suffer as Paul did for the sake of Your Gospel. Use even our weaknesses to point to Your strength. When we are tempted to boast or defend ourselves remind us of our brother Paul’s humble example as He imitated You. In Your Name we pray, Amen.
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