2 Corinthians 12:11-13

2 Corinthians 12:11-13

I have become foolish!  You all compelled me.  For I ought to be recommended by you all.  For in nothing I was inferior to the exceedingly great apostles even though I am nothing.  For in one case the signs of the apostles were being done in you all endurance – by signs and portents and powerful deeds.  For what is that which you all were being treated worse than the remaining assemblies – except that I myself did not burden you all?  Forgive me this injustice!

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

As Paul closes out this letter, he returns to the concept of shame, but it is not a strong moment.  Paul reminds the Corinthians that they should have been recommending Paul to these super-apostles that came after him.  Now, Paul isn’t saying this because he is worried about his own ego.  Rather, what Paul is desiring is that they not forget where they came from.  It isn’t that they cannot grow.  It isn’t that they cannot be taught by another.  But what Paul doesn’t want is for them to abandon where they began.  That’s what is really at stake.  Paul doesn’t want them to forget the basic lessons of faith in which they are rooted.  Paul doesn’t want them to get so accustomed to faith that they move on and forget the importance of the foundation.

Do we as human beings have a tendency to always think that what we are learning in the moment is the best thing?  Why do we have a tendency to forget the basic lessons of faith?

Second Thought:

Paul reminds the Corinthians that they had access to everything else that the rest of the churches had access.  They got to hear Paul’s teaching.  They got to see God at work in their life.  Everything that matters they got to experience when Paul was among them.  Remember that it isn’t our human work that is important – it is God’s hand at work among us that is important.

Do you ever get jealous over the experiences of others?  Why is it easy to compare our life to the life of others and be jealous?  Why is it easier to see God at work in the life of others and miss how God is at work in our own life?

Third Thought:

In fact, the only difference from the Corinthians’ perspective is that when Paul was among them he didn’t take money from them.  However, as we’ve studied Corinthians we’ve spoken about this before.  Paul worked to support himself – he was a tentmaker.  Paul didn’t ask any of the churches that he developed for money.  Only after Paul left them did he welcome support of his ministry.  He especially welcomed support for the collection he was taking to the widows and orphans in Jerusalem.  In this regard the Corinthians were treated no differently than everyone else by Paul.

What does this policy demonstrate about Paul’s belief about supporting ministry?  Why do you think Paul doesn’t want the church that he is trying to establish to support his ministry while he is present?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Corinthians 12:14-18

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

And with respect to the extraordinary degree of revelation, in order that I should not become puffed up in pride, a serious trouble of the flesh was being given to me – a messenger of Satan in order that he should cause harm to me – in order that I should not become overly self-confident.  Three times I called upon the Lord about this in order that it should depart from me.  But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you.  For the power is being fulfilled in weakness.”  Therefore I will gladly rather boast in my weakness in order that the power of Christ should reside within me.  Therefore I am pleased in weakness, in insolent mistreatment, in distress, in systematic persecution and difficult circumstances for the sake of Christ.  For whenever I should be weak, then I am strong.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul talks in this passage about the “thorn of the flesh.”  I prefer a more literal translation of “serious trouble of the flesh.”  In the original Greek language, Paul seems to be talking about a specific physical issue he had.  Some have speculated that he suffered from epilepsy.  Others have speculated that he had headaches from poor eyesight after the Damascus Road experience when divine scales came over his eyes.  Others speculated that he suffered from lust.  Others speculate that he was talking about his many beatings and oppression.  Some have speculated that he was overall sickly – although I find this to be the least likely as he travelled often and a sickly person would not have been able to keep up with all the travels Paul accomplished in ministry.  Still others speculate that Paul had a form of malaria common to the Mediterranean Sea in the time of Paul.  The truth is that we will never know.  But we do know that whatever it was it was painful for Paul.  Paul prayed that it should be taken away.  Paul asked God that it be removed.  Just because we are in the Lord and following Him does not mean that our life will be perfect.  We will have hardships – hardships bad enough that we will beg and plead for God to take them away.

Do you experience hardship in your life?  Have you ever begged and pleaded that it would be taken away?  Why do we beg and plead for our physical weaknesses to be removed from our midst?

Second Thought:

Paul reminds us of a daunting lesson to remember here.  God says that “My grace is sufficient for you.  Power is made complete in weakness.”  We so badly want to be strong and independent.  We avoid weakness or even the perception of weakness. But it is in our moments of weakness when God is able to be the most strong.  It is in the moments of weakness that God’s presence can be felt the most.  It is in the moments of weakness when we are the most humble and God can be the most gracious and loving.  We deplore weakness; yet it is in weakness that God is greatest.

Why do we deplore weakness even though we often quote this verse and say, “When I am weak, He is strong?”  What does it say about our human sinfulness that even though we know God is present in our weakness we still would wish our weakness away?

Third Thought:

The end result is this.  For as much happened in Paul’s life that he could use to brag, he had weakness to keep him humble.  He had weakness to remind him that he is not invincible.  He had weakness to remind him that he is not the center of the world.  He had weakness to remind him that there is something more important out there than himself.  It was his weakness that kept him close to God, not his strength and success.

Is this same thing true for you?  What draws you close to God – your time of strength or your time of weakness?  Which keeps you close to God – your strength or your weakness?  Why is this a hard message to hear?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Corinthians 12:11-13

2 Corinthians 12:1-6

2 Corinthians 12:1-6

It is necessary to boast.  On one hand, while not being profitable, on the other hand I will come into dreams and revelations of the Lord.  I have known a man in Christ who fourteen years ago – whether in the body I have not known nor whether outside the body have I known, God knows – after this person was being snatched away into the third heaven.  And I have known this man – whether in the body or whether apart from the body I have not known, God knows – after being snatched away into paradise he also heard words that are inexpressible which a man is not permitted to speak.  I will boast on this man’s behalf, but I will not boast on my own behalf except in weakness.  For if I should desire to boast I will not be foolish for I will speak truth.  But I refrain, so someone should not consider into me above that which he sees in me or he hears out of me.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul continues to apologize for his boasting.  He reinforces the idea that it really does no good.  We cannot paint ourselves any better than the truth that God already knows exists within us.  If we talk about ourselves because we are trying to convince other people – or worse, God! – that we are better than we actually are then we are simply fooling ourselves.  God knows who we are.  As Paul continues to remind us, there is no profit in boasting.

Do you ever boast about yourself to make yourself feel good?  Why do we do this if it really doesn’t do any good?

Second Thought:

Paul does give us a really neat truth here, though.  If we never boast, we never will talk about the neat ways that God enters our life.  So Paul continues on here not to try and puff up his own public image but rather to testify to the power of God.  God enters each of our lives in unique and beautiful ways.  How God interacts with me is different than how God interacts with you.  We should be willing to talk about this with other people – especially other believers.  Therefore, we can boast.   But we do not boast so that our own name is praised.  Rather, we boast so that God is given glory for the ways that He reveals Himself to us.

When you think about this, is this really boasting?  How easy is it for you to talk about God and what God is doing in your life and keep it focused on God?  What makes this easy?  What can make this difficult?

Third Thought:

As an example, Paul talks about a man who was taken up into heaven.  Some have speculated that Paul is talking about himself here.  To be honest, it doesn’t matter.  The fact that Paul seems to take a fair amount of space speaking to the fact that it isn’t him – see verse 5 especially – leads me to think that Paul is not speaking about himself.  But in the end, it really doesn’t matter.  Here is a man who has an incredible experience.  He is given a glimpse of what heaven looks like.  He is given a glimpse of the unspeakable things that will happen in heaven.  What a wonderful gift to be used for the reassurance of God’s people!  The fact that this happened to this man does not make him better than any of the rest of us who rely upon God’s grace to be saved.  It is not to the man’s glory that this experience happened to him.  It is for the glory of God, who gave this man the experience, and it is for the encouragement of all God’s people so that we can be reminded that our time in heaven will be unspeakably better than our time here on earth!  What a wonderful message to proclaim!

Why is this a great example of the teaching that I give in point number 2?  How is Paul able to speak about the incredible experience but keep the focus on God and not on the recipient of God’s grace?  What does it say to you today that our time in heaven will be unspeakably better than even our greatest moments here on earth?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

2 Corinthians 11:30-33

2 Corinthians 11:30-33

If it is necessary to boast, I will boast about the things of my weakness.  The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ – the one who is blessed into the ages – has known that I am not lying.  In Damascus, the ethnarch of King Aretas was guarding the city of Damascus to arrest me and I was being let down through a window in the wall in a large basket and I escaped his hands.

NOTE: An ethnarch is a person appointed to rule over a particular region under the authority of a king or emperor.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Now Paul turns to boasting about an area of weakness.  Remember that although Paul did a good deal of boasting in the last chapter, Paul said that it was all foolishness.  It means nothing in God’s eyes.  So to balance it out, Paul talks about his weakness as well.  After all, if our strengths do not impress God, then our weaknesses should not hinder our relationship with God, either.  God does not love us because we are strong.  Neither would God love us more if we could somehow bury our weaknesses.  God loves us regardless of who we are because of Jesus Christ.  Therefore we need not feel great in our boasting nor should we feel shame in our weakness.  God can use both our strengths and our weaknesses to demonstrate His character to the world.

Are you ever ashamed of your weaknesses?  Why do your weaknesses make you feel shame or humiliation or even just a lesser status?  How can realizing God’s love help you overcome any shame you may have in your weakness?

Second Thought:

So long as we are talking about weakness, Paul focuses on a fairly significant one.  Everywhere Paul goes, people seem to want to do him harm.  The Jews want him dead.  Gentiles try and get rid of his teaching.  In the example he gives here, even government officials sought to have him arrested.  Paul seems to have an affinity for making enemies.  That’s quite a weakness!  Yet it does not diminish the work that God was able to do through him.  In fact, it speaks volumes about the greatness of God that in spite of Paul’s affinity for making enemies God was still able to use him!

Are you willing to talk about your weaknesses with others?  What hinders you from speaking about the times of failure in your life?

Third Thought:

So how do we know that Paul is legitimate and the false apostles that have come to Corinth are not legitimate?  Paul isn’t building himself up.  It isn’t about Paul.  It isn’t about Paul’s great name.  Paul is able to teach through his success and his failures.  But what is Paul teaching through his success and failure?  Paul is teaching that God’s name is to be praised through all the ages.  Paul is teaching that God is blessed throughout all the ages.  Paul’s focus is on God.  When things go well, God gets the credit.  When things go poorly, God is still blessed by Paul’s tongue.  That’s a great model to imitate.

Is your life about making God’s name great?  Are you able to show the greatness of God through your successes as well as your failures?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Corinthians 12:1-6

2 Corinthians 11:21b-29

2 Corinthians 11:21b-29

In that which someone should dare – I am still speaking in foolishness – I also dare.  They are Hebrews?  I am also.  They are Israelites?  I am also.  They are the seed of Abraham?  I am also.  They are servants of Christ?  I speak while being a madman: I am to a greater degree – surpassing in toil, surpassing in imprisonments, an extreme degree of beatings, many times almost ending in death.  Five times at the hands of the Jews I received forty lashes less one.  Three times I was being beaten with rods.  Once I was being stoned.  Three times I have been shipwrecked – a day and a night I spent in the open sea.  I am often journeying.  I am in danger by rivers.  I am in danger by robbers.  I am in danger out of my own kin.  I am in danger out of the Gentiles.  I am in danger in the cities.  I am in danger in the wilderness.  I am in danger at sea.  I am in danger by false brothers.  By hard work and by great exertion, often in sleeplessness, in famine and thirst, often times in going hungry, in coldness and in nakedness.  Apart from these other things, there is my daily burden – the burden for all the churches.  Who is weak?  Am I not weak?  Who is being scandalized and am I not being greatly distressed?

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

It is very humbling to read through Paul’s list of mistreatment in these chapters.  Occasionally I like to think that I have it rough.  The truth is, I’ve never been beaten within an inch of my life.  I’ve never once been imprisoned, much less stoned.  I’ve never been adrift at sea.  I could continue, but I think I’ve made my point.  It might be nice for me to think that I suffer for Christ, but the truth is that I really don’t.  Not that I’m not important to God, mind you.  It’s not like God loves us more the more we suffer for Him.  But it is humbling to read about what other people endure for the name of Jesus Christ.  It is humbling to realize how significant Jesus Christ was to Paul.  It is humbling to read about how important being a follower of Jesus Christ was to Paul.  Paul didn’t want to serve the God who would keep him safe and secure in his home and his job.  Paul wanted to serve the God who was using him out and about in the world.

Are you humbled by reading through this list that Paul puts forth?  If you are, why do you feel humbled?

Second Thought:

I also believe that this is the first time that I have ever considered the natural hazards that Paul puts on this list.  Sure, I’ve thought about the beatings Paul received at the hands of Jew and Gentile alike.  But back in Paul’s day, every river crossing was a threat.  Walking down a road was a threat.  Getting into a boat was a threat.  They didn’t have the luxury of automobiles, planes, and trains!  Even when I went to Honduras, Brazil, or Mexico City to do ministry I have benefitted by modern travel methods.  I’ve not had to worry about river crossings and bandits along the way.  I hate to say it, but I think one of my worst worries is whether or not all my luggage arrived safely with me.  How little that pales in comparison to what Paul experienced in his quest for ministry!  How many times do I cross a river on a man-made bridge in my manmade car driving along a manmade highway and not even think about how much more difficult it would have been to do ministry on foot!

How does this help us put our lives into perspective?  Do we as modern western Christians have any reason to complain?  Are there difficulties we do face in ministry because of human advancement that Paul would not have needed to face?

Third Thought:

Let’s not forget Paul’s opening in all of this, though.  Paul reminds the Corinthians that he is still speaking in terms of foolishness.  None of these things actually matter.  One cannot say that God loves them more – or they love God more – than another just because you’ve been beaten more times or gone without food for longer periods of time.  One cannot say God loves you more because you’ve been in more prisons because of your faith.  These are human arguments used for human logic.  Paul lists them here not to demonstrate that he is better than the false apostles that have come to Corinth.  Paul lists them here simply to say that he has made sacrifices in order to bring glory to God’s name.  He lists these not to show that he is better.  He lists them here to show that he is willing.

Are you willing to suffer for Christ’s sake?  Are you willing to follow the example of Jesus Christ?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Corinthians 11:30-33

2 Corinthians 11:16-21a

2 Corinthians 11:16-21a

I say again, no one should think me to be ignorant.  But if indeed you do, accept me even as a fool in order that I also should boast over a little something.  What I am saying I do not say according to the Lord but rather as a bit of foolishness in this boasting of confidence.  Because many boast according to the flesh, I also will boast.  For you all are gladly patient with the foolish while being so wise!  For you all are patient with someone who enslaves you all, or someone who completely exploits you all, someone who takes you all, or someone who is arrogant, or someone who strikes you in the face.  I say this in dishonor, for we have been weak!

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul begins this section by apologizing for what he was about to do.  The false apostles had come among the Corinthians and boasted about their success.  They had used worldly terms to sway the hearts of the Corinthians.  Paul had tried to keep the focus on God, but the Corinthians’ heart had been turned in order to be impressed with worldly pedigree.  So Paul knows that he needs to counter the base arguments of the false apostles.  So as he prepares to do so – we’ll get it in the verses for tomorrow – Paul begins in apology.  Paul would prefer to have kept everything in the spiritual realm, but he must do a bit of boasting about the world now himself.  He would rather boast about Christ freely.  But if forced to boast about himself he begins with apology.

Have you known people who like to boast about themselves?  How do you know?  Have you ever known someone who doesn’t like to boast about themselves?  How are they different?

Second Thought:

Paul gives us a list of five verbs in this passage that these false apostles are doing among the Corinthians.  First, the false apostles are enslaving the Corinthians by introducing elements of legalism – probably Jewish legalism – that runs counter to the free gift of grace that we see in Christ.  The false apostles exploited the Corinthians by receiving support – and probably more than their fair share of it.  The false apostles take the Corinthians, literally snatching their hearts away from grace and into something contrary to it.  The false apostles are arrogant, throwing their weight around and demanding to be in charge and in control.  The false apostles – and most legalistic people – were not hesitant to attack others.  Think about how many times Jesus was attacked by the legalistic Pharisees!  Paul is ashamed that the Corinthians have willingly accepted such treatment.

Why do people allow themselves to be controlled in such a manner?  What role does fame, wealth, and status of the other person play in how you respond to them?

Third Thought:

Paul ends this section with a bit of mocking.  When Paul says “for we have been weak” he’s not making an honest confession.  What he is saying is that according to worldly standards they were dumb because the Corinthians were easy targets.  The Corinthians readily let themselves be taken advantage.  According to worldly standards Paul should have come in and taken them for all they had.  But that’s not at all what Paul and his associates did.  Paul and his associates took nothing from the Corinthians.  Therefore, from a worldly perspective Paul and his associates are considered weak, bad preachers, ineffective speakers, etc.  But we know the truth.  Paul did not take form the Corinthians because Paul was interested in spiritual gain not material gain.  That’s the point to which Paul is directing the Corinthians.

Have you ever considered someone weak because they were not successful in worldly terms?  Have you ever considered someone weak just because they didn’t push their advantage as far as they could?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Corinthians 11:21a-29

2 Corinthians 11:12-15

2 Corinthians 11:12-15

And that which I do I will also continue to do in order that I should cut off the unwarranted excuse of the ones who desire an unwarranted excuse: in order that the thing in which they boast should be similarly found even in us.  For the ones such as these are false apostles, deceitful workers, while changing from their true form into apostles of Christ.  And there is no marveling – for Satan himself changes from his true form into an angel of light.  Therefore it is no great thing if even his servants change from their true from into servants of righteousness.  The end of these will be according to their works.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul talks about a concept here that is not spoken about much in his letters: Satan.  Don’t get me wrong.  I believe Paul taught in person about Satan frequently.  We just don’t hear about Satan often in his letters.  In all of Paul’s letters, Satan is only mentioned a total of 10 times.  So what are we to make of this?  The reality is that Paul doesn’t write much about Satan because when he is writing he mostly is writing letters of encouragement and exhortation.  Typically, Paul wants his audience to focus on God and God’s ways rather than talking about Satan.  Paul would rather encourage and enforce the good behavior in Christ.  Christ should be the majority of our focus.

Why is it important to remember that Christ should be the focus?  What is the danger of talking too much about Satan and focusing on avoiding His ways instead of focusing on how to live according to God’s ways?

Second Thought:

When Paul does talk about these Satan – and his false apostles – in this passage, the verb that he uses repeatedly is “changes their true form.”  What Paul means by this is that their goal is attracting people to something besides God.  Here’s a very important lesson to learn about Satan.  Satan doesn’t want you on his team.  Satan isn’t looking to convert you to his side.  Satan is jealous of humanity.   Satan loathes humanity.  What Satan wants to do is to disrupt your relationship with God.  Satan isn’t collecting converts to his side; he is looking to break relationship between creation and creator.  Satan knows what his end will be.  Satan doesn’t think that if he can just amass as big of an army as possible that he can change the outcome.  Satan doesn’t believe that he will be victorious.  Satan wants to do as much damage before the end as he can.  He “changes his form” to give you something to focus upon besides God.  He doesn’t want you on his side; he wants you distracted so that you don’t have the relationship with God that God desires you to have.  Satan changes his form in order to distract you from God and God’s desire for your life.

How does this understanding about Satan really make sense with the idea that the word Satan means “adversary?”  How easy are you to be distracted away from God?

Third Thought:

In the end, Paul lays a really stunning label upon the people who had influenced the Corinthians.  He calls them false apostles.  The Greek word is actually “psuedapostolos” (ψευδαπόστολος).  They are literally pseudo-apostles.  They change their appearance to make people like them.  They are deceitful.  They change their form to please.  They are not genuine.  This is an important thing to remember.  Paul isn’t saying we cannot change our methods to reach different groups of people – of course we have to do that!  But what Paul is saying is that even if our methods change the core of the message must remain true.  We must remain focused upon drawing people to God through Christ.  If our message strays from that at any point, we are in danger of being one of these pseudo-apostles.  It is not about getting people to like us or even be like us.  The apostle of Jesus Christ is about getting people to be like Jesus Christ so that they can imitate Him.

Do you think it is an easy task to get people to imitate Christ and not ourselves?  Where are your personal pitfalls in this process – because we all have them!

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Corinthians 11:16-21a

2 Corinthians 11:7-11

2 Corinthians 11:7-11

Or did I myself sin while humbling myself in order that you all should be given a high status - because without payment I proclaimed the Good News of God to you all?  I robbed other churches after receiving money for living for your ministry – and while being present with you all and after being in need I did not burden anyone.  For the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my financial need.  And in all things I myself I kept and will keep a burden from you all.  The truth of Christ is in me that this boasting will not be silenced into me in the region of Achaia.  And why?  Because I do not love you all?  God has known!

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Here is a truth that is often said in the world: “Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.”  In fact, Eleanor Roosevelt expanded upon this phrase in a very nice way.  She said, “Do what you feel in your heart to be right – for you’ll be criticized anyway.  You’ll be damned if you do and damned if you don’t.”  This is the situation that Paul found himself in Corinth.  He didn’t ask the Corinthians for any money.  He was doing it because he didn’t want the Corinthians to be able to say, “He’s just preaching something new to get your money.”  But what has now happened is that other religious leaders have come in and started to attack Paul and say that his message wasn’t legitimate because he didn’t charge for it.  They were saying that if he really was from God he would have asked for the support that was due to him being a preacher.  Again, Paul is damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t.  Take money and people think you are in it just for the money.  Don’t take money and people criticize you and think that what you are offering isn’t worth it.  Sometimes you cannot win.  So Paul did what was in his heart.  He didn’t take money he didn’t need so that the Corinthians would have no obstacle in their path.

Have you ever been in a position where you could be criticized regardless of what you did?  How do you decide what to do in those situations?

Second Thought:

Some people might think that Paul was picking favorites here.  Why would Paul not accept money from the Corinthians when he would accept money from the Macedonians – primarily the Philippians?  Paul is not being inconsistent here.  As far as we know, Paul never accepted any money from a church when he was building that church in that town.  We know from earlier in the letter that Paul encouraged the Corinthians to support him – as well as his collection for the orphans and widows in Jerusalem – once he had moved on.  Paul is not being inconsistent; Paul doesn’t want money to get in the way of the ministry that he’s been called to do.

Why is consistency important in ministry?  Have you ever seen money get in the way of ministry?

Third Thought:

Paul gets it right in the end.  He will not be silenced.  People can say what they will about him, but the truth will get out.  He’ll still keep preaching.  Paul loves people too much to stop.  Paul wants people to be in a genuine relationship with God too much to stop.  People can say what they want about him; he’ll not stop preaching.

Do you have this kind of passion for ministry?  Can the world stop you from talking about God?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Corinthians 11:12-15

2 Corinthians 11:5-6

2 Corinthians 11:5-6

For I consider myself in no way to be inferior to these excessively great apostles.  And even if I am only an amateur by words, I am not by knowledge.  Rather, in all things we have made this plain to you all in every way.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

I have to laugh when I read Paul’s description of himself in verse 6.  He literally calls himself an idiot.  The Greek word for the word I translated as “amateur” is “idiotes” (ἰδιώτης).  Clearly this is the root word for our English word “idiot.”  In the Greek language, though, this word means any person who may be able to do a task but who lacks the formal training or apprenticeship to call themselves a professional.  Therefore, in the Greek language an idiot is really just an amateur.  That makes me smile.  In his day, Paul thought himself to be an amateur when it came to public speaking.  Perhaps the greatest evangelist of all time – besides Jesus Christ, of course – considered himself an amateur speaker.  That says something about both humility as well as our ability to truly evaluate our own strengths and weaknesses.

Have you ever thought of yourself as an amateur?  If Paul thought of himself as an amateur and did what he did, what does that say about any of us who think of themselves as amateurs?

Second Thought:

Paul acknowledges that he is no amateur in knowledge.  Here’s the thing, though.  If we remember the context of Paul’s writing, we know that Paul gives all credit to God.  So when he says “I am not an amateur by knowledge,” he isn’t talking about his own personal body of knowledge.  I believe Paul is talking about knowing Jesus.  Anyone that knows Jesus and who has the spirit of Christ in them does not need to worry about their knowledge.  The humble and submitted person will have God behind them, prompting them with the words to speak.

What does it say about Paul that he calls himself an amateur with respect to his human ability but has bold confidence in that which comes from God?  Does that need to be any different for us?

Third Thought:

The net result of this is that Paul does not consider himself to be inferior.  Other people may have more human training, but Paul isn’t interested in evaluating human training.  The best trained religious people in the world still crucified Jesus Christ.  Human training is important and nothing to be ashamed about.  But human training is nothing compared to what God can supply to us.

Have you ever considered yourself inferior to another person?  Are you comparing your human ability to theirs?  How does this expose our habit as human beings of focusing on human ability instead of divine capacity?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Corinthians 11:7-11

2 Corinthians 11:1-4

2 Corinthians 11:1-4

Would that you all were patient with me in a small amount of foolishness.  Rather be patient with me!  I am jealous of you all by a jealousy of God, for I promised you all in marriage to one husband, to present a pure virgin to Christ.  For I am afraid lest somehow – as the serpent deceived Eve in his evil cunning – your reasoning should be perverted from a singleness in purpose and a moral purity into Christ.  For if in one case the one who comes preaches another Jesus that we did not preach – or you all receive a different spirit that you did not receive or another Gospel that you all did not receive – you all are just as patient with it.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul paints a really neat picture here in this passage.  This is what he calls “foolishness.”  Paul compares himself and the Corinthians to a father who has a daughter promised in marriage.  One of the father’s main tasks is to teach purity to his daughter and then protect the purity of his daughter.  Paul feels responsible for the Corinthians because he is the one who first taught them about Christ.  He doesn’t want to see them fall away.  He doesn’t want to see them slip away into religious impurity.  While he knows that they are people who are accountable for their own decisions, it is also clear that Paul feels a certain responsibility for their spiritual decisions as well.

Do you understand what Paul is feeling for the Corinthians?  Why does this make sense?  Have you ever felt this way about another person and their spirituality?

Second Thought:

There is another interesting point in this passage.  When we talk specifically about that which Paul fears, he fears that they will be diverted from their singleness of purpose into Christ.  Paul knows how easy it is to go through life having several things pulling at our interests.  What is it that Jesus Himself says?  You cannot serve two masters.  Paul isn’t worried that they would become completely corrupt.  Paul is worried that their attention will be distracted away from God’s purpose for them in Corinth.  Satan doesn’t need to get us to do evil in order to win.  Satan just needs to distract us from giving God our full attention.

How easily are you distracted by the world away from God’s purpose in your life?  Why is this true for you?  How can you stay focused on God in those areas in which you do lose focus easily?

Third Thought:

Then Paul gives examples.  The Corinthians are willing to put up with different religious teachers who teach different things than full reliance upon Jesus.  They are willing to listen to hear about a different spirit of God than the one they received when Paul and his associates were among them.  In other words, they are wishy-washy about what they believe.  They are willing to tolerate all kinds of thinking beside what they were taught about Jesus and what He did for mankind.

Do you think this is a problem that Christians in the Western world struggle with today?  Why or why not?  What is the problem with being willing to tolerate any kind of preaching?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Corinthians 11:5-6

2 Corinthians 10:13-18

2 Corinthians 10:13-18

And we will not boast beyond what is expected but according to the measure of the territory that God assigned to us – to come as far as even you all.  For it is not as though we are overextending ourselves while not reaching into you all, for we reached even as far as you all in the Good News of Christ.  While not boasting beyond what is expected in labor that belongs to another, but while having hope while your faithfulness increases that our territory is made larger in you all into abundance in order to proclaim the Gospel beyond you all – not in a territory belonging to another – in order to boast in the things that have been prepared.  And the one who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.  For the one who does not commend himself – that one is judged worthy under a test.  The Lord commends that one.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul reminds the Corinthians that they are not boasting beyond what God had made possible.  If we remember the story of Paul, we can readily agree with this.  Everywhere that Paul went, he was greeted with arrest, imprisonment, rejection, and beatings.  The only reason he was able to continue is because God made it possible.  It is God who has opened and extended Paul’s territory.  Paul went where the Lord made possible.  He did not overreach; he simply followed God.

Are you a natural follower or do you tend to want to overreach?  How can we as human beings become better satisfied with not overreaching?

Second Thought:

If we look at how Paul plans into the future, notice that his future is relying upon the growth of the faith of others.  Paul doesn’t say that his territory will increase through their generous donations.  He isn’t saying that his territory will increase through his fame or reputation.  Paul knows that God increases territory through the increase in faith in people.  As one person grows in faith, people around them take notice.  Some of those people begin to hear God’s call into their life as well.

What does it say to you about Paul that he bases growth in spiritual territory upon person spiritual growth?  Do you follow that same line of thinking?

Third Thought:

In the end, Paul gives us a reminder for a proper perspective.  We do not commend ourselves.  We don’t think ourselves special.  Even if we do, it doesn’t matter.  The only thing that matters in the opinion of Jesus Christ.  We are already unworthy.  We are already sinful.  What matters is if we are in Christ and the Lord commends us to the Father.

Why do we get so wrapped up in our own evaluation of ourselves instead of recognizing our sinfulness and humbly submitting to the Lord?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Corinthians 11:1-6

2 Corinthians 10:7-12

2 Corinthians 10:7-12

You all look at things according to the appearance.  If someone has convinced themselves to be of Christ, let him consider this again: that just as he is of Christ, similarly also are we.  For even if I should boast somewhat too much regarding our authority that the Lord gave into a building up and not into tearing you all down, I will not be ashamed.  In order that I should not be thought to frighten you all through the letters – for in one case it is said that the letters are burdensome and severe but the presence of the body is weak and the words are of no worth.  Let one such as this consider this: that the kind of people we are by words through letters while being absent, we are people such as these by works while also being present.  For we do not dare to classify or to compare ourselves to some of the ones who are commending themselves.  But while they measure themselves in themselves to themselves and compare themselves to themselves they are unable to understand.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul gives a really stern warning in the opening sentences of this passage.  If someone thinks that that they are in Christ, they need to remember that other people are in Christ, too.  In fact, what Paul is really saying is that we are in Christ, not the other way around.  By being in Christ, we are submitted to Him.  We are about Christ’s agenda.  So it is not up to us who are servants of Christ to judge other people.  Christ can determine for Himself who is in Christ.  Our job is to be in Christ and then focus on obeying Him.

When can it be easy to judge other people as to whether they are in Christ?  Why is this a dangerous proposition?  How can we emphasize the importance of being in Christ while refraining from judging whether other people are in Christ?

Second Thought:

As I was reading this passage, I came across the following quote in Warren Wiersbe’s Bible Exposition Commentary that I really want to lift up and quote directly.  He says, “In my many years of pastoral and itinerant ministry, I have never ceased to be amazed at how some local churches treat their pastors. If a man shows love and true humility, they resist his leadership and break his heart. The next pastor will be a ‘dictator’ who “runs the church”—and he gets just what he wants. And the people love him and brag about him! Our Lord was treated the same way, so perhaps we should not be surprised.”  I, too, am amazed at how little people in this world respect genuine humbleness and walk over it while only respecting the dictators.

Do you receive humble leadership well?  How do you do this?  Do you think of Jesus and Paul as being humble in leadership?

Third Thought:

In the end of this passage, Paul talks about where we get our validation.  Do we compare ourselves to one another?  Do we feel like we are important and successful because we rate well when compared to the people around us?  No, the true standard is Christ.  I can be better than all the sinners around me – but I am still a sinner!  Without Christ, I am not worthy regardless of how I compare to the people around me.  What is important is Christ and His influence upon my life.

Do you like to compare yourself to the people around you?  Why is this tempting to do?  Why does it give us a false impression of ourselves?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Corinthians 10:13-18

2 Corinthians 10:1-6

2 Corinthians 10:1-6

And I myself – Paul – appeal to you all through the humble submission and gracious forbearance of Christ.  I am gentle in once case when I am with you all, but while being absent I am firm in the face of danger into you all.  And I plead to be courageous while I am not present by a confidence that I consider to have to defy possible danger upon some who consider us as while walking according to the flesh.  For while walking in the flesh we do not wage war according to the flesh.  For our weapons of our warfare are not of this fleshly world but empowered by God for the dismantling of strongholds while dismantling the logical reasoning and every prideful thought that is lifted up against the knowledge of God and while taking captive every thought into the obedience of Christ and while being prepared to punish every disobedience when your obedience should be completed.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

If we read these words carefully, we find between the lines one of the accusations that Paul’s adversaries held against him.  They accused Paul that he was able to speak boldly in letters from a distance but when he was in person he wasn’t able to be so bold.  Paul is being accused of being stern from a distance but being spineless in the flesh.  However, I find that this is actually an attribute to be desired.  Paul’s theology was solid.  Anyone can give sound theology from anywhere.  But when you are present in the company of people often there can be greater understanding and compassion offered.  In fact, I truly find this to be Christ’s example.  Jesus was bold and brash a few times – primarily only when confronted or corners by the religious elite.  But in most circumstances Jesus sought humble servant leadership among the people.

Are you a humble servant leader?  What do you think about people who are humble leaders in person?

Second Thought:

because of this, Paul’s accusers also accused him of walking according to the flesh.  I find this amazing.  I can’t believe that anyone could think that the author of a vast array of the New Testament could actually be walking according to the flesh!  These people assumed that because they were empowered and brash that they could accuse Paul of whatever they wanted.  It is amazing to see how people with power live out of their power.

How do you use power in your life?  Are you quick to judge and push other people down?  Do you use your power to empower others?

Third Thought:

This is one of my favorite passages about spiritual warfare.  Paul tells us that our weapons are not of this world.  We are not out winning battles.  We are out dismantling the strongholds of our opponents.  We are out challenging the preconceptions of the world.  We are out giving new thoughts to the world.  We are not fighting physical battles.  We are fighting mental battles of thought, perception, belief, and spirit.  Yes, God can fight the physical battles – He is God.  But where we truly see the beautiful presence of God is when the emotional and spiritual barriers of someone in this world crumble in order to receive God and change their worldview to be humble before God.

Are you engaged in spiritual warfare?  What spiritual battles are you fighting and God is winning in your life?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Corinthians 10:7-12

2 Corinthians 9:10-15

2 Corinthians 9:10-15

And the one who supplies seed to the one who sows and bread into nourishment will also supply and will multiply your seed and He will cause your harvest of righteousness to increase while being made rich in every way into all generosity, which accomplishes thanksgiving to God through us.  For the ministry of this service is not only while supplying that which is needed to the holy ones but also while existing in the abundance through much thanksgiving to God.  While glorifying God through the genuineness of this service upon the submission of your confession into the Gospel of Christ and the generosity of the fellowship into them and into everyone, while yearning for you all and in their prayers for you all because of that which is in a far superior grace of God upon you all.  Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul talks about God bringing increase into our life.  Again it is important to stop and make sure that we are not talking about some kind of prosperity gospel here.  We don’t love God because we believe that He can make our life plentiful and easy.  We are generous – that is the theme of this larger section of verses – because we know that God is generous with us.  When we act out of God’s love, God can take that generous act and cause it to multiply in ways that we could never have imagined.  That’s awesome to watch happen.  We start with some simple act of generosity, but in the recipient it blossoms into something more glorious than we could have ever hoped.

Do you believe that God is capable of doing this with your efforts?  Why is it important to remember that it is God who brings about such growth and multiplication?

Second Thought:

I love to hear Paul’s focus in these verses when it comes to the ultimate goal of any aspect of life – generosity included.  The ultimate goal is giving thanks to God.  The ultimate result is God’s name becoming praised.  We do not give for our own glory.  We don’t ultimately give to relieve the burdens of other people – although there is nothing wrong with that being a part of the rationale, certainly.  What is most important is that whenever we do something that thanksgiving towards God increases.  In the long term, what is of ultimate importance is that the relationship between people and God increases.

When you give, how focused are you on the relationship of the recipient and God?  How can you determine if cheerful giving helps a person draw closer to God and thanksgiving to God happens?

Third Thought:

I love the way Paul ends this passage.  After talking – in fairly confusing terms in the original Greek – about the people and their prayers for the Corinthians as they go about their daily walk with God, Paul reminds us that all of this is because of God’s indescribable gift.  All that we have – all that God gives to us – is through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross.  We should not be in relationship with God, but we are through Christ.  We should not be acceptable recipients of God’s generosity but through Christ we are.  It is utterly indescribable how great God’s gift to us in Christ really is.  We can try to put it in words and talk about it as I have done here, but we really don’t do it justice even when we try.

How do you attempt to describe this indescribable gift?  Do you think it is important to try, even if it is indescribable?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Corinthians 10:1-6

2 Corinthians 9:6-9

2 Corinthians 9:6-9

And this is my point: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly.  And the one who sows upon blessing will also reap upon blessing.  Each one has determined ahead of time just as by the heart – not out of regret or necessary obligation.  For God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is powerful enough to abundantly provide all grace in you all in order that while having sufficiency in everything in all times in every way you all should abound every good work, just as it has been written: “He scattered; he gave to the poor.  His righteousness remains into the ages.”

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

It is easy to read the opening words of this passage in the wrong way.  We should not hear Paul saying, “Give a lot so that you will receive a lot back in return.”  Paul is not trying to set up some sort of prosperity gospel like the Prayer of Jabez fad that has swept through Christian culture in the past few decades.  What Paul is saying is that if we hold everything tight in our fists, we will lean on our own strength.  But if we understand that all we have comes from the Lord and give of what He has given us, then we can live trusting that God will give us what we truly need to survive.  Generosity isn’t about receiving, it is about trusting.

Do you give out of blessing?  Do you really live as though God can provide for your needs?

Second Thought:

Paul also stresses that each person should give out of their calling.  Guilt is no good reason to give.  Regret is no good reason to give.  We should give because it comes from who we are as God’s people.  We should be glad about who we are in Christ and then give out of that very reality.

Are you a cheerful giver?  What does it feel like to give cheerfully?

Third Thought:

As Paul closes this section of verses, Paul quotes Psalm 112:9.  But what Paul does through this is to tie righteousness to giving.  Again, Paul isn’t saying that we earn righteousness because of our giving.  This is not a prosperity gospel or even a works-based salvation passage.  What Paul is doing is reminding the Corinthians that when our hearts are aligned with God we will give out of our identity.  When our hearts are aligned with God, we are acting righteously.  One doesn’t bring about the other.  Rather, the two mutually coexist out of the same place of heart.

Do you live in the righteousness of God that endures forever?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Corinthians 9:10-14