From 2 Corinthians 10-13
Paul has some competition. There are some who are promoting themselves as superior to him and proclaiming another Jesus. He on the other hand has humbled himself and serves the Corinthians by preaching them the gospel free of charge. The pressure to promote ourselves in worldly ways is strong. But Jesus has shown us another way.
This post is part of my bible in a year series.
Passage and Comments
In the last couple passages Paul has encouraged the Corinthians to supporting himself and others financially. Afterward jumping to another topic he defends the way he presents himself in his letters and in person.
In today’s passage, Paul discussing a rival group of supposed Christian missionaries who are proclaiming another gospel. A false gospel.
11 I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness. Do bear with me! 2 For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. 3 But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4 For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough. (2 Cor 11.1-4)
‘Bethothed’, ‘Pure virgin to Christ’. Paul reminds them of their early beginnings when they came to know Christ. He likens their early relationship to a marriage covenant, betrothal being the first stage (e.g. Eph 5.23-32). They had a ‘sincere and pure devotion to Christ’.
How did you feel about Christ when you first came to believe?
‘Proclaims another Jesus’. But Paul feels a divine jealousy for them because someone is proclaiming another Jesus to them. Another suitor for their affection. Some sort of functional Lord and Saviour other than what we hear about in the gospel.
‘You put up with it’. It seems their early devotion has waned. Paul fears they will stray from Jesus, their betrothed, without much of a fight. Which says a bit about whether believers can fall away.
5 Indeed, I consider that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles. 6 Even if I am unskilled in speaking, I am not so in knowledge; indeed, in every way we have made this plain to you in all things. (2 Cor 11.5-6)
‘Not inferior’. It seems these false teachers have big opinions about themselves and Paul has heard about it. He sarcastically calls them ‘super-apostles’ and does not consider himself inferior to them.
‘Unskilled in speaking’, ‘Not so in knowledge’. While he may not have the rhetorical skill (the ‘gift of the gab’), he knows what true gospel is. This is what he has made plain to them.
It should comfort us to know God can work through simple down to earth speech.
7 Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached God’s gospel to you free of charge? 8 I robbed other churches by accepting support from them in order to serve you. 9 And when I was with you and was in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my need. So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way. 10 As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia. 11 And why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do! (2 Cor 11.7-11)
‘Sin in humbling myself’. Paul continues asking sarcastic questions. He is almost ridiculing the Corinthians by describing how he humbled himself and served them when he first preached the gospel.
Do you know anyone who serves others with no thought to their own gain?
‘Refrain from burdening’. He did not charge them money. Not did he burden them with his needs. In every way his ministry did not cost them. Paul served them freely asking nothing in return.
12 And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. 13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds. (2 Cor 11.12-15)
‘Undermine the claim’. The super-apostles are slandering Paul. Paul in response resolves to continue serving others in humility asking nothing of those he serves. He is intentionally contrasting himself with these others. The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve others and give his life for many (Mk 10.45).
Who are the true servants of Christ? Those who say they are super? Or those who humble themselves and offer themselves freely?
‘Satan disguises himself’. Paul has no doubt these others are false. They do not serve Jesus. They proclaim another Jesus. They may have the appearance of angels of light and servants of righteousness. But they are in disguise. In the end, Jesus will render to them according to their works.
Words for Believers
Paul’s comparison of himself with his opponents exposes a possible weakness in how we want to portray ourselves to those we want to minister to.
Do we portray ourselves as intelligent, good-looking and successful? Or do we call attention to the free service and humility? Do we try to impress with eloquent speech and humor? Or does our gospel sound with plain language?
We are under a lot of pressure to conform to our societies vanities. We need to beware worldliness creeping into the church. Lest we fall for another Jesus.
Copyright © Joshua Washington and thescripturesays, 2016. All Rights Reserved.
