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