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