From the NKJV Bible - Personal Study Edition - Nelson publishers
1990 and 1995
In 2 Corinthians Paul continues his attempt to correct errors of
unchristian practice, worship, and doctrine which had arisen in
the Corinthian church. The book's major themes are consolation,
glory, generosity, and reconciliation - all from God and in
Christ.
AUTHOR AND DATE
Second Corinthians was written by Paul in A.D.56, at the end of
his two-to-three-year ministry in Ephesus (see Acts 19:8-10;
20:31). The letter was written perhaps six months to a year after
he wrote I Corinthians (compare 8:10; 9:2 with 1 Cor.16:1).
BACKGROUND
The Corinthian church required Paul's repeated care. Shortly
after his founding mission in Corinth he sent a letter, now lost,
instructing the church "not to keep company with sexually immoral
people" (1 Cor.5:9). Later, a delegation from Corinth came to
Ephesus asking for Paul's guidance: they returned, possibly
carrying 1 Corinthians with them (see 1 Cor.16:17-19). Timothy
visited Corinth (1 Cor.4:17; 16:10,11) and probably returned to
Paul in Ephesus with news of both opposition to Paul and
continued division in the church. Paul made a "sorrowful" visit
(2 Cor.1:23-2:1), which did not resolve these problems. He then
sent a severe letter by Titus (2:3).
Meanwhile, Paul went to Troas to preach, but anxious to hear from
Titus, he moved on to Macedonia, where he received the joyful
news regarding the Corinthians' contrition and repentance (2:12,
13:7:5-7; 1:3-16). Immediately he sent this reconciling letter
known as 2 Corinthians, possibly by Titus, with instructions to
complete the offering for the church at Jerusalem (8:6-18).
Thus 1 Corinthians appears to be the second letter Paul wrote to
the Corinthians; and 2 Corinthians, the fourth. Some speculate
that the first letter and his third "severe" letter are
a part of 2 Corinthians. But it is much more likely that they
have been lost. (For more information on the church at Corinth
see Introduction to 1 Corinthians: Background).
Paul probably passed through Corinth again when be visited
"Greece" (Acts 20:1-3), the province of Achaia in which Corinth
was located. See 1:1.
PURPOSE
Paul was concerned that false apostles were leading the
Corinthians away from the gospel. They were taking selfish
advantage of the Corinthians by claiming apostolic authority and
by boasting of human abilities and achievements. Paul defends his
own authority as God's apostle by referring to what God had done
through him, especially in the conversion of the Corinthians. He
uses his authority as their founder to defend the true gospel.
Yet Paul's primary purpose in the letter is not confrontation but
reconciliation.
He would present every man and woman "complete" in Christ (13:11;
see Col.1:28).
CONTENTS
The letter contains three clearly defined sections. In chapters
1-7 Paul looks back to the church's refusal to acknowledge his
authority and deal with the flagrant immorality of one of its
members. He tells them of his great relief and joy that the issue
has been resolved by their obedience and the offender's
repentance. He also pleads that they continue to be reconciled to
him and to God.
In chapters 8 and 9 Paul seeks to motivate the Corinthians to be
generous in gifts to an offering that he is sponsoring for the
needy Christians in Jerusalem. Chapters 10-13 deal with teachers
at Corinth who challenged Paul's authority and falsely claimed to
be apostles. Paul defends his authority as Christ's apostle by
showing how God's power has been effective through him.
Because Paul is involved so deeply in all of these issues, the
letter is filled with emotion.
We see the heartbeat of the apostle in his concern for the
struggling churches under his care.
OUTLINE OF 2 CORINTHIANS
1. Salutation and thanksgiving 1:1-11
A. Salutation 1:1,2
B. Thanksgiving to the "God" of all comfort" 1:3-11
2. The integrity of Paul's actions 1:12-2:17
A. A cancelled visit 1:12-24
B. An effective letter 2:1-4
C. Forgiveness for the offender 2:5-11
D. A triumphant ministry 2:12-17
3. The ministry of the Spirit 3:1-4:6
A. Changed hearts 3:1-6
B. Continued transformation 3:7-18
C. Ministers of integrity 4:1-6
4. God's power in earthen vessels 4:7-5:10
A. Strength in our present suffering 4:7-15
B. Assurance of future glory 4:16-5:10
5. The ministry of reconciliation 5:11-7:16
A. A plea for reconciliation 5:11-7:1
1. Be reconciled to God 5:11-21
2. Be reconciled to Paul 6:1-13
3. Be separate from the world 6:14-7:1
B. Joy over Christian reconciliation 7:2-16
6. An offering to demonstrate your conversion and love 8:1-9:15
A. An example of generosity 8:1-7
B. Reasons for generosity 8:8-15
C. Provision for accountability 8:16-24
D. The shame of failing in generosity 9:1-5
E. The blessings of generosity 9:6-11
F. Thanksgiving for generosity 9:11-15
7. A defense of Paul's apostleship 10:1-12:13
A. Objections by the false apostles 10:1-11:15
1. An unimpressive presence 10:1-11
2. Failure to boast in his achievements 10:12-18
3. Failure to collect money from the Corinthians 11:1-15
B. Christ's power in Paul's life 11:16-12:13
1. Attested by his sufferings 11:16-23
2. Shown by his thorn in the flesh 12:1-10
3. Confirmed by signs 12:11-13
8. Preparation for Paul's visit 12:14-13:10
A. Concern for the Corinthians 12:14-21
B. A challenge to self-examination 13:1-10
9. Concluding benediction 13:11-14
End of quotes
PERTINENT COMMENTS
CHAPTER ONE
Paul talks about suffering and troubles, even to near death,
but that God sees us through, gives us strength to endue and
comforts us as we battle along in the Christian life. Through it
all we learn to trust in God and not in yourselves. He
appreciates the prayers offered for himself and others with him.
Paul rejoices in the simplicity and godly sincerity they had
their conduct in the world and towards them, they (he and those
with him) write to them what they live, and he trusts they will
acknowledge this to the end. They did rejoice in them, just they
rejoice in the Corinthians.
With this in mind Paul was mindful to come to them. He was
quite serious about it all, it was not "I say but do not do."
Paul had told them he would come to them, he was in Christ, and
Christ's word is yes, not yes but no. We do have the seal of
God's Spirit, the "earnest" or "down-payment" of the Spirit. As
God is witness he tells them, he wanted to come to them, but to
spare them from coming with correction and rebuke he did not
come. He wanted to come not as one like a dictator over their
faith, but as a helping servant (verses 1-24).
CHAPTER TWO
Paul had determined not to come to them in the heaviness of
attitude and speech. He had written to them so he would not have
to come in a harsh way, so he could rejoice in them for moving
forward into the truth. He had written to them with anguish and
tears. It was not easy for him to have to correct and rebuke, but
he had to do it, yet it was done with great love towards them
(verses 1-4).
Paul has heard that they did obey his judgment concerning
the man who was practicing immoral sexual sin (1 Cor.5), they had
put him away from their fellowship. He had repented. Now Paul
instructs them that they did indeed then have to be willing to
forgive him. If they have forgiven then it really went without
saying, that Paul also had forgiven. The man was to be restored
to fellowship in the church once more (verses 5-11).
Paul speaks about his triumphant ministry in verses 12-17.
To some, those that are perishing, at least in this physical
life, such preaching of the Gospel was like a death to them,
they rejected it or thought of it as something not good, but to
those whom were being called to be saved, as well of course to
God Himself, their teaching of the Gospel, was a sweet cent of
life itself. He finishes by reminding them that he and those with
him like Timothy and Silvanus (chap.1:19), are not like the many
which twist and corrupt the word of God, but in the sight of God
they testify the truth in Christ (verses 12-17).
CHAPTER THREE
Paul goes on to confirm their credentials in the ministry of
God and Christ. It is really proven by the fact that the
Corinthian church was founded by themselves, through
the very Spirit of God, not anything physical, or just the
workings of men. Paul's fellow co-workers, all of his company,
were able ministers of the NEW Testament, not of the letter of
the Old Testament, but the very live giving Spirit of the New
Testament (verses 1-6).
The he contrasts the Old from the New. The Old Testament,
even with the glory of the Ten Commandments written in stone, and
which Moses' face shone as he carried them in his arms, has no
comparison in glory, for the magnificent glory of the New
Testament through and by the Holy Spirit that gives LIFE. He
declares the two "glories" - one Old and one New, really have no
comparison, for the glory of the New Testament is so much more
glory than the Old Testament (verses 7-11).
Even the facial glory that Moses had when carrying the Ten
Commandments, the children of Israel could not view. They were
blinded spiritually speaking, they did not have the heart, and in
Romans chapters 9 through 11, Paul makes it abundantly clear that
the vast majority in Israel were never given, never called to
salvation, they were blinded and that by God. We also see this in
the books of Moses, in such passages as Deut. 5:29; 29:4; and
Num.11 where the Spirit of God was only given to but a few, to
the "election of grace" as Paul put it in Romans 9 to 11, while
the rest were blinded, as he also says here in verse 14.
In all this then the Old Covenant was basically an
administration of death. It was not the design of the Old
Covenant to save to salvation the majority. Most under that
administration would live and die their physical life and never
be called to salvation. Just like the majority of the Gentiles
before the Gospel age, had no hope, no calling, were without God
in the world (see Eph.2:11-12), so was the majority in Israel.
The Old Covenant then was, which ever way you looked at it, not
the spiritual Covenant that led to eternal life, for the vast
majority of people. The New Covenant of the Spirit was much
more glorious in that its design was to lead people, both Jew and
gentile, to salvation.
God will grant a chance of salvation to the millions who
were never called to salvation under the old administration, and
those not called under the new administration. We explained a lot
of that when we went through the Gospels. God does have a plan of
salvation for everyone who has ever lived, as Paul made
abundantly clear in Romans chapters 9 through 11.
The working of the New Covenant by the Spirit, is the
working of the Lord, for Paul says "Now the Lord is that Spirit,
and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty" (verse 17).
The "Spirit" is not a separate bodied being walking around
heaven, the Holy Spirit is the Lord, that is it emanates, flows
out from the Lord, like an invisible electrical power, hence can
be in all the universe at the same time, doing the Lord's will.
And Paul ends his thought by saying it is the very Spirit of the
Lord that had CHANGED us from the type of glory under the Old to
the type of glory (which is far mare glory) under the New
Covenant (verses 7-18).
CHAPTER FOUR
The ministry of Christ, the Gospel of Christ, is not of men,
it is not something Paul and others made up, but it is the very
truth of Christ, and God commanded that light and that truth to
be proclaimed, by men, who preach then not about themselves but
about Jesus the Lord. And if many do not understand the truth of
the Gospel, it is because the god of this world (we know him by
the names Satan the Devil) has blinded their minds to the light
of the Gospel.
Of course we know from other passages like, Romans 9 to 11,
that it is God who allows all this blindness to continue, and so
we here find that Paul says that blindness is in a large part
having to do with Satan (and his demon helpers), who go about
blinding the minds of so many (verses 1-6).
Then Paul tells them that the Gospel has been commissioned
to be preached by himself and others, who at times have to endure
many hardships, troubles, trials, persecutions, but not forsaken,
cast down, even to close to physical death, but not destroyed or
killed. They are often as Jesus was, physically mistreated, but
as they go through all this that brings them closer to death,
life eternal is brought to them and others that accept the Gospel
of Jesus. Through it all they all know that He which raised
Christ from the dead will also raise us up by Jesus, and shall
present all of us together with Jesus.
Paul talked, as we have seen, all about the glorious
resurrection of the saints to the Corinthians in the fifteenth
chapter of 1 Corinthians. Here it is time he believes to mention
it once more. The great sure hope for the Christian is the
resurrection, the raising up of life from death, just as Jesus
was raised to life from death, and so it will be for Paul, his
companions, the Corinthians, and for all saints of all ages.
And though life can have its trials, tests, and troubles, it
is really only for a short, very short, time span, when looked at
from the point of all eternity. So as Paul said to them, "We look
not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not
seen; for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things
which are not seen are eternal" (verses 7-18).
CHAPTER FIVE
Paul continues his thought of the resurrection and being
raised to immortal life. We are now physical, our body is
physical, but we shall have in that resurrection day, a new
body, one from heaven. Paul had explained all this in some detail
to them in chapter 15 of 1 Corinthians, yet he feels he needs to
expound it again.
The body we now have will not be the body we shall have. We
long for, he said, that time when we shall be clothed with our
new body, the time when our mortal body will be swallowed up with
eternal life, glorified immortal life as he said to them in his
previous epistle. While we are in this earthy physical body we
cannot be with the Lord. He had told them that in 1 Corinthians
15, when he told them that flesh and blood cannot inherit the
Kingdom of God, and that a change was needed, a change from moral
to immortal, from corruption to incorruption.
Paul said there was a want to be with the Lord, verse 8. He
had a desire to die this physical death for then in his resting
in sleep, the very next instant he would be with Christ in his
glorified form (something like you and me going to sleep say at
10 p.m. and the next second it seems to us, we are awake at 6 ot
7 a.m. to start a new day). So it is with physical death and the
resurrection. There is no knowledge of the time from death
to the resurrection at Christ's coming.
With all that Paul had to go through in the way of trials,
troubles, and physical persecutions at times, it is no wonder he
often wanted to be out of this world in death, and so the next
second for him would be the resurrection and so he would be with
the Lord.
But he would do God's work as long as he was present in this
physical life and in this physical world. There was work to do in
this life, and it had to be done, for there was coming a day that
all would have to give an accountability as to what they did in
this physical body of life. And doing God's work, in truth, had
little to do with the physical outward appearance of people,
though some wanted to try and say it was of some importance, it
was not. And so the Corinthians could stand up against those who
would make outward appearance something to take into account. It
is the heart that is important, the true mind-set, not the
outward form of some who brag about their showy spectacular
ministry.
Paul tells them he is not trying to give a pat on the back
to himself and those with him, but he's giving them the truth as
to their presentation of the Gospel, not outwardly "showy" but
truth in sincerity. We work as Christ's love controls us. And it
was Jesus who died for us, so those who accept him as Lord and
Savior will live to please God, not themselves.
He tells them that he once thought of Jesus as just a
"person" like all other persons. But not any more, he thinks of
Him now MUCH differently. And those who think like he now thinks,
will become a new person. They will have put away the old sinful
life and will be living God's way - the life that is pleasing to
Him.
God bought us back to Himself through Jesus, and has given
us the responsibility and task to bring others into
reconciliation to Himself. God was in Christ reconciling the
world to Himself. And that massage He has given to us so we can
tells others about it.
Paul tells them that God is using himself and those with him
to speak to them, and he urges them to be reconciled to God, to
admit their errors and sins, for God made Christ, who never
sinned, to be our sin bearer, so we can be forgiven, be at one
with God through Christ (verses 1-21).
CHAPTER SIX
Paul proceeds now to PLEAD with them, and not to receive the
grace of God in vain.
....................................
TO BE CONTINUED
  Chapter Sixty-five:Paul writes 2 Corinthians - Part two
PERTINENT COMMENTS
CHAPTER SIX
Paul pleads with the Corinthians not to accept the grace of
God in vain. For it was their time to be called of God, and he
quotes from Isaiah 49:8. It was "A" time of salvation as the
Greek and Hebrew are. There will be salvation offered to millions
yet in the future, but for the Corinthians it was the offer of
salvation for them, it was their time of salvation.
Then Paul once more gives proof of his ministry and others
like him, by going over many of the trials, tests and troubles,
even physical matters that went as far as imprisonment and
floggings, and they still gave out the word of truth with
knowledge, longsuffering, kindness, sincere love, by the power of
the Holy Spirit, and by the armor of righteousness, by honor and
sometimes dishonored by people. They had good reports said of
them, and evil reports said by others, as well as called
deceivers, but yet they were true teachers.
Paul went on with more to prove their right as true
ministers of God. You may want to read it in a modern New
Testament translation (verses 1-13).
In verses 14-18, he calls for purity of association, be it
single people marrying, or business association. This section is
more than just talking about people you have to work with, if it
was, then to follow this instruction you would have to go out of
the world in seclusion or communes of Christians, and Jesus never
taught that idea (that some indeed practice), for Jesus prayed to
the Father (John 17) that God would NOT take them out of the
world, but keep them from evil. So this injunction by Paul cannot
be talking about having nothing to do with the unconverted in a
secular working situation. It must have to do with VERY CLOSE
ties in things like business partnerships, and yes, in single
Christians not marrying people who are atheists, or anti-God in
an open manner of word and practice. For as Paul says, "What
agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the
temple of the living God; as God has said, 'I will dwell in them,
and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my
people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be you separate,
says the Lord .... And .... I will be a Father to you, and you
shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty" (verses
14-18).
CHAPTER SEVEN
Paul now wants to lift them up if they were getting beaten
over the head and downcast with some of his corrections to them,
especially correction from his letter to them that we call 1
Corinthians. He tells them about when they came into Macedonia
and had all kinds of troubles come upon them (the "them" is still
he and those working with him in God's work), and then Titus came
from them to him, and told him how repentant they were, how
desirest they were to do the right thing, and their fervent
attitude of mind towards himself - Paul.
He realizes the epistle he sent them made them agonize in
sorrow, and was somewhat sorry he sent it because it may not have
produced what he hoped it would produce in their lives, but now
he feels he need not be sorry he sent it, because it did produce
good results, though they were made downcast for a time. He now
rejoices, not in their being downcast but that "hanging their
heads low" did produce real repentance, and so no permanent
damage in a negative way resulted by his letter to them.
He was sure their repentance was true godly repentance, for
it would produce steadfast positive change in their minds and
practices. He knew the repentance or sorrow of the unconverted
world only led to death, but he was confident their repentance
was the godly type.
He tells them they really had this true repentance because
of the "carefulness" the "admittance of errors" the
"indignation" against sin, the "vehement desire" the "zeal"
to do the right thing, and go the right way, and so they had
proved themselves in the sight of God.
He gets specific about the man who was practicing immoral
sexual sin (1 Cor.5) and says he got "tough" with them on the
matter because he cared for them ALL, not only for the man
sinning, but for them all.
Titus was full of joy in them and their zeal to go God's
way, and this made Paul and those with him even MORE joyful,
because Titus was so overjoyed. He probably was very
apprehensive about going to them, after Paul had written that
epistle to them and pulled no punches in correcting them. But he
found that they really had taken it to heart and were zealous to
amend their ways and mind-set, and to go forward in the
pathway of righteousness.
He tells them that he boasted to Titus about the Corinthian
church, and that his boasting of them to Titus is the very truth
of the matter. And Titus was then even more inwardly affectionate
towards them, and how vivid he remembered their respectfulness
towards him when he came to them.
Paul rejoiced that he had great confidence in them in all
matters of Christian living (verses 1-16).
CHAPTER EIGHT
Paul tells them of the generous free giving of those in
Macedonia, to aid the Christians who needed help. They went over
and above all expectations, and were eager to help, and
especially in that they first dedicated themselves to the Lord
and to Paul and his helpers for whatever God desired, might be
done.
He was going to send Titus back to them to encourage them to
complete their giving. Paul was not against using some
"psychology" with people, for he tells them they excel in many
ways, they had faith, gifted speakers, much knowledge, and
enthusiasm. He now wanted them to excel in giving, but giving
from the heart. He did not say they "had" to give, but points out
other churches were eager to do it. He tells them how Jesus was
full of love and kindness, and that He gave Himself so they could
be rich.
The Corinthians had started to give about a year earlier and
Paul wanted them to finish what they started. In fact it was they
who proposed the idea to give to help the brethren in in need. He
points out it is not how much you can give but the attitude in
giving what you can. The Lord loves a cheerful giver. God does
not expect you to give what you do not have. But he tells them
they did have at this time, much they could give, to help others,
and then one day when they may need help, others will help give
to them. Then he quotes Exodus 16:18 to them, "He that gathered
much had nothing left over, and he that had gathered little had
no lack."
Paul now moves back to Titus, and tells them that he had the
same enthusiasm for them as he himself had. He was willing and
welcomed the request that he visit them again. Paul says that
another brother will accompany Titus. This brother is highly
praised in other churches, and was appointed to company them as
the offering is taken to the saints, and also to guard against
any suspicion, for they were anxious that no one could find any
fault in the way they were handling the generous gift to help
needy brethren.
Paul also tells them that another third man will accompany
Titus and the second man, has been tried and tested and proved to
be faithful, and that he has great confidence in the Corinthians.
We are never told the names of these two other brothers that
would travel with Titus.
He tells them that if anyone asks about Titus, they can say
of a truth that he is Paul's partner, co-worker, in serving them.
As for the two other brothers they can say that they are apostles
(as the Greek is) of the Church of God, and they are splendid
example of those who bring glory to Christ.
He finishes this section, by encouraging them to show much
love to these three men, and to prove to all the churches that
the boasting of Paul and his helpers, about the Corinthian
brethren, is very justified (verses 1-24).
CHAPTER NINE
Paul explains why he is sending the three men. He once more
uses some wise "psychology" - he tells them he knows the zeal
they have to continue the giving that they started a year ago. He
tells them he has boasted about their zeal to many others, but so
the boasting will not come back on him in a negative way, he
wants them to be ready. For he says, if some from Macedonia come
with him and should find they were not prepared with their gifts
to serve the saints, then him and his partners would be hanging
their heads in shame and embarrassment. The three men coming to
them would then, beforehand (before he and those from Macedonia
came to them), help prepare their gifts for the saints (verses
1-5).
He then gives a nudge that is both positive and negative,
depending which side of the fence you are on. He says:
"He which sows sparingly shall reap sparingly; and he which
sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man
according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give: not
grudgingly, or because he feels somewhat forced to give, for
God loves a cheerful giver. And then God is able to make all
favor abound towards you; that you, always being blessed
with many things, can abound to every good work. As it is
written, 'He has given out abroad; he has given to the poor:
his righteousness will remain and be noted and praised by
others' (Ps.112:9)" (verses 6-9).
Paul tells them that the giving to help the saints at this
time of their need, will give great praise to God from all who
see it and are involved in the whole situation. People will see
they are subject to the Gospel of Christ, and will praise God.
These people will keep them in their prayers, for the nature of
the Lord that is in them (verses 10-14).
It is indeed a part of the very nature of God and Christ to
help, to serve, to give to others, when in need, be it spiritual
or physical.
Paul then ends this chapter by reminded them (more good
psychology used here) of the ONE gift from God that can hardly be
put into words. Of course they would know what Paul was referring
to - the gift of the life and sacrifice of God's Son - Christ
Jesus - for their sins and for their salvation. So giving some
physical gift to help saints in need, would hardly then seem to
be any big deal at all.
CHAPTER TEN
Paul tells them he is pleading with them in gentleness as
Christ would. Some were saying Paul was bold in his letters but
timid in person, but if necessary when he came to them, he would
be very bold towards those who thought he acted from just human
motives. He says that they use God's great weapons to fight the
battle of destroying the Devil's strongholds. And with those
weapons they destroy the carnal ideas of the ones who lead them
away from the truth.
Paul pleads with them to know that he and those with him,
are of Christ, and they should not look on the outward
appearance. He wanted them to know that his writings were not an
attempt to use "scare tactics" on them, for some had told them
that they need not fear Paul, although his letters were strong
and demanding, in person he was weak, and not at all an eloquent
speaker. He tells them that if needed his personal presence will
also be forceful and demanding (verses 1-11).
The rest of this chapter is worth a full quote from the "New
Living Translation" Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois,
USA.
"Oh, don't worry; I wouldn't dare say that I am as wonderful
as these other men who tell you how important they are! But
they are only comparing themselves with each other, and
measuring themselves by themselves. What foolishness! But we
will not boast of authority we do not have. Our goal is to
stay within the boundaries of God's plan for us, and this
plan includes our working there with you. We are not going
too far when we claim authority over you, for we were the
first to travel all the way to you with the Good News
of Christ. Nor do we claim credit for the work of someone
else has done. Instead, we hope that your faith will grow
and that our work among you will be greatly enlarged. Then
we will be able to go and preach the Good News in other
places that are far beyond you, where no one else is
working. Then there will be no question about being in
someone else's territory. As the Scripture say, 'The person
who wishes to boast should boast only of what the Lord has
done' (Jer.9:24). When people boast about themselves, it
doesn't count for much. But when the Lord commends someone,
that's different!" (verses 12-18).
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Paul asks them to allow him to continue speaking as a fool.
We begin to see Paul used "tongue in cheek" or "sarcasm" at
times. There can be times, maybe not too often, but at times it
is quite proper to use "sarcasm" - the context is, as we shall
clearing see in this chapter, addressing the claims of boastful,
arrogant, "religious teachers" who were not really of God but
FALSE apostles, DECEITFUL workers, transforming themselves as
to LOOK like apostles of Christ, but were really the workers for
Satan, who can come looking like the light of righteousness
(verses 13-15).
Paul had led them to Christ, but was now fearing they would
be led astray. Again the "New Living Translation" makes it all
very plain:
"But I fear that somehow you will be led away from your pure
and simple devotion to Christ; just as Eve was deceived by
the serpent. You seem to believe whatever anyone tells you,
even if they preach about a different Jesus than the one we
preach, or a different Spirit than the one you received, or
a different kind of gospel than the one you believed. But I
don't think I am inferior to these 'super apostles.' I may
not be a trained speaker, but I know what I am talking
about. I think you realized this by now, for we have
proved it again and again (verses 3-6).
Paul reminds them that he served them at no cost, it didn't
cost them a dime, as he was supported by other churches and by
himself working at a secular job. And this fact Paul took some
glory in.
He plainly tells the Corinthians that those he is now
speaking about are FALSE apostles, and that they have fooled them
by disguising themselves as light and righteousness, but he is
not surprised for Satan himself can come looking like a "night in
shinning armour sitting on a white horse" so to speak (verses
13-15).
Those false apostles wanted to "boast" - so Paul say he will
also.
"I don't think I've lost my wits in talking like this to
you, even if you think so, please listen to me. Bragging is
not what the Lord wants, but I'm acting as a fool," Paul
went on to say with tongue in cheek. "since some want to
boast about their human achievements, then so will I, for it
seem you enjoy listen to fools."
Can you see the "sarcasm" just flowing out of Paul's mouth?
Yes it was, and sometimes in dealing with false ministers it must
be this way. Some of the prophets used derision and sarcasm
against false priests and prophets (see Elijah with the prophets
of Baal in 1 Kings 18).
"You even put up with these false minister guys when they
make you their slaves, and take all kinds of things from
you, take advantage of you, and in a figure of speech,
slap you in the face. Hummm, I'm ashamed to say, we were not
strong enough to do that," continues Paul with irony,
ridicule, and scoffing, in his tone of voice.
"Okay they want to boast do they, well I can join in that
game. They claim they are Hebrews, so am I. They say they
are Israelites, so I am also. They claim descent from
Abraham, I too can claim that. They say they serve Christ,
now I'm really speaking like a mad man, but I have served
Him much more. I've worked harder, been put in jail more
often, been whipped more times, five times the Jews flogged
me, each time 39 lashes. I've been beaten with sticks three
time, once nearly stone to death. I've been shipwrecked, and
spent a whole night and day adrift in the sea. I've
travelled more than they, been in danger from flooded rivers
and robbers. I've faced danger from Jews and Gentiles, in
cities, in deserts, on the seas, and from men who claimed to
be serving Christ but were sure not. I had many a sleepless
night, be in physical pain, and weariness, I've gone hungry,
and thirsty, and sometimes been shiveringly cold, not having
enough clothes. Then to add to all this, I've had the care
of and concern of many churches on my mind and how they are
maturing and getting along with each other. Well, if I'm
going to boast it is better I boast about how weak I am,
just a human man, who can feel all the discomfort and
physical pain I've had to endure. God knows I tell the
truth, praise be to Him. When I was in Damascus they were
setting a plot to catch me, but I was lowered in a basket
from the city wall, and I escaped from that evil they
desired to do to me" (verses 16-33).
CHAPTER TWELVE
Paul admits that all this boasting" was foolishness, but as
they seemed to like some foolishness he would continue with if
for a while. He tells them he knew a man (probably speaking about
himself) that was caught up to the THIRD heaven (yes the Bible
speaks of three heavens, our atmosphere heaven, the heaven of the
starts, and the heaven where God lives), he did not know if he
was literally there in body or in the minds-eye, or vision. But
he saw and heard things that just cannot be uttered with the
human voice. He tells them that that experience is indeed worthy
of boasting about, yet he will not dwell on such as that, but on
his weaknesses. And he says he has plenty of them to boast about
that would not be foolishness.
He did not want anyone to think more highly about himself
than they should, even with all the great miracles he had done
and wonders he had seen. In fact he tells them, that to keep
himself humble, God had given him a "thorn in the flesh" -
something that was pretty well a constant torment to him. We are
never told what it was. Some have speculated it was bad eye
sight, maybe pain in the eyes, or others things, but the simple
fact is no one knows what it was. And there is no need really to
know. It is enough to know it was some kind of a "thorn in the
flesh" and it kept him in a constant remembrance that he was very
much flesh and blood.
Paul had prayed three different times, asking God to remove
this thorn, but the final answer came to him that it would not be
removed, yet God would give help to him to endure it. He writes
that God's specific words were, "MY gracious favor is all you
need. My power works best in your weaknesses."
He was glad to then boast in his weaknesses, his hardships,
insults, persecutions, calamities. For through his weakness he
was made strong, and it all led to Christ's benefit in His
Gospel.
He tells them they have made him act like a fool in saying
these things, but he tells them once more that he is not in any
way "inferior" to these so-called "super apostles" (a little
sarcasm coming out again). They should have known that when he
was with them for he gave proof of being a true apostle of God,
and sent by Him, to them. This was all evident in the signs and
miracles and wonders he did among them.
He is going to come a THIRD time to them, and does not want
any physical thing from them, only their spiritual grow. He gives
to them the analogy of "parent and children" - the parent gives
and takes care of the children, not so much the other way around.
He only wants to give himself to them, so they can be spiritually
mature. But he admits that the more he gives the less he is
loved. Then he says that some admit he was not a burden, but
still think he was sneaky and took advantage of them in sly,
tricky ways. He answers that by telling them to look at the men
he sent to them, like Titus, and see if they acted sneaky and
tricky with them. Of course they did not, and then those men and
himself are one, they act, and speak, as one. They work together
in the same way.
He goes on to say they are not saying all this just to
defend themselves, but they speak as the servants of Christ. God
is listening, and Paul and his companions do everything for their
benefit. He was still somewhat afraid that when he came to them
he would not find what he desired to find, and then they would
not like his response. He was afraid he would find, jealousy,
anger, selfishness, backbiting, gossip, vain conceit, and
disorderly conduct. He was afraid to come and find that many had
not really repented at all, from impurity, sexual immorality, and
other lustful pleasures of the flesh (verses 1-21).
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
This was the third time Paul was going to visit them, and it
was a true Old Testament verses that said, "The facts of every
case needed to be established by the testimony of two ot three
witness" (Deut. 19:15). He tells them that he had warned those
practicing gross sin, when he was there on his second visit. He
warns them again, that this coming time he will not spare
anything, but be open and blunt. He will give them all the proof
they want or would wish for, that Christ was very much in him and
speaks through him, and they knew Christ was a power in them from
the gifts of the Spirit among themselves. And Christ who was for
a moment weak in death, NOW lives today in the mighty POWER of
GOD! So, Paul and his fellow workers are weak in some ways as
human, but they lived in Christ, and POWER they sure had, if they
needed it to be used among the Corinthians.
He tells them to EXAMINE themselves, to make sure they were
in THE FAITH, If they could not tell if Jesus was IN them, then
they had failed the examination test! He hoped they had realized
that he and those with him HAD PASSED the test, and were APPROVED
by God.
He tells them that they will pray to God that those in
Corinth will not live the wrong way of life. Even if they think
Paul and his helpers have failed, they still wanted them live
the right way before the Lord.
He reminds them that he and the others never want to oppose
the truth but to stand for truth at all times. They wanted to see
the Corinthians restored to spiritual maturity.
Paul tells them he is writing all this before he comes to
them, hoping he will not have to deal harshly with them when he
does arrive at Corinth. He wants to use his authority from Christ
only to build them up and not tear them down.
I will end with Paul's last words of this epistle from the
"New Living Translation."
"Dear friends (Greek "brothers"), I close my letter with
these last words: Rejoice. Change your ways. Encourage each
other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and
peace will be with you. Greet each other in Christian love
(Greek "with a sacred kiss"). All the Christians here send
you their greetings. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be
with you all."
...........................
When I started on the "pertinent comments" of the two Corinthian
epistles, I did not plan on it being as long as it has turned
out. But I saw there was so much important teaching in these two
letters of Paul, I could not pass over them in too short a way.
All of the epistles of Paul, letters of other apostles, and the
book of Revelation, are after all, a part of the New Testament
Bible Story.
May 2004
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