With Whom Will You Bear?
April 18, 2022 at 3:02 pm | Posted in II Corinthians | 1 CommentTags: 2 Corinthians 11, Apostle Paul, commentary on 2 Corinthians, discernment, false apostles, false teachers, right motives, Sunday School lessons on 2 Corinthians
Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.
II Corinthians 11:1 (emphasis added)
We get the impression at the beginning of II Corinthians Chapter 11 that Paul was very uncomfortable. There is a sense in the later chapters of II Corinthians of starting and stopping, and frequently interjecting apologies or explanations for why he is stating all his own credentials, and offering evidence of his love for the Corinthians. He tells them that what follows is going to sound foolish at times. The request to “bear with me” will have a payoff later in the chapter.
The analogy that he uses for his relationship to the Corinthian believers is that of a father of the bride.
For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
II Corinthians 11:2
There is a sinful jealousy – perhaps more properly called envy – in which we become jealous of what someone else has, or in which we become resentful over perceived blessings that are coming to others but not to us. Paul wanted to make it clear that he was talking about another kind of jealousy – a Godly jealousy – the kind of jealousy that arises out of pure love and guards the affections of others and doesn’t want those affections given to someone who will hurt them. If we know that we have another person’s best interest at heart, then it is right to want that person’s affections returned to us.
Spouses should have this type of jealousy: jealousy OVER, not jealousy OF. Paul wanted the believers he had led to Christ and had loved, to be pure and chaste, devoted singularly to their Bridegroom, so that they could be suitably presented to Him at the last day: the MARRIAGE Supper of the Lamb.
The enemy of singular devotion – of simple supreme and exclusive faithfulness to Christ – is subtilty.
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
II Corinthians 11:3
This was the type of subtilty that the the false teachers had learned from Satan, who persuaded Eve to question God’s goodness, and who tempted her into divided loyalty (which is really another name for disloyalty).
For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
II Corinthians 11:4 (emphasis added)
This matches the idea we saw earlier in Verse 1. The Corinthians had no qualms at all about bearing with the false apostles and Judaizers; they might at least bear with the true Apostle, Paul, who, though it went against his instincts to admit it, was not at all behind the other Apostles when it came to spiritual power, wisdom, authority, and Biblical knowledge imparted directly to him by Christ Himself.
For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.
II Corinthians 11:5
Peter was not, contrary to Roman Catholic dogma, the first pope.
But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.
II Corinthians 11:6
Paul was not a great orator or rhetorician – at least not apart from Holy Spirit inspiration. Those subtle skills were the deceitful domain of the false prophets. When you find yourself trying to discern which Christian leader to follow, look to faithfulness way before you look to giftedness.
Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?
II Corinthians 11:7
Verse 7 was a response to the accusation of the false teachers that Paul didn’t demand financial support for himself because he knew he wasn’t worthy of it. (Ironically, if he had demanded such support, they would have accused him of greed and ill motives.) Paul preached the Gospel freely precisely because he did not want it to seem like he was a charlatan or a huckster.
I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service. And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself. As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia. Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth.
II Corinthians 11-8-11
He actually had a dual motive: He not only wanted to avoid false accusations, but, this way, he could call God as his witness concerning his genuine love for the Corinthians. This must be the underlying motive for us, too, in any virtue for which we become known. Honesty, hard work, generosity, wisdom – all those are great, but their purpose is not self-glorification. They are the means and the product of loving and serving God and others.
But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
II Corinthians 11:12-13
Here was the proof that the false apostles were Satanically influenced. They were hypocritical in addition to being deceitful. They led others astray, even as they themselves profited from the gullibility of their victims. Deceit, disguise, and doublecross are the marks of the devil.
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
II Corinthians 11:14-15
Paul was so reluctant to go on about his own trustworthiness and admirable qualities, that he again qualified his self-defense:
I say again, let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little. That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting. Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also. For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise.
II Corinthians 11:16-19
Spiritual Self-Defense
March 24, 2022 at 1:42 pm | Posted in II Corinthians | 2 CommentsTags: 2 Corinthians 12, 2 Corinthians 13, Apostle Paul, commentary on 2 Corinthians, defending our ministry, eternal security, honoring others, Sunday School lessons on 2 Corinthians
I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.
II Corinthians 12:11
This was not sarcasm. The Apostle Paul really did feel foolish speaking this way, and we see a very human sentiment in this idea that “you have forced me into a type of boasting because you wouldn’t defend me yourselves. You wouldn’t stick up for me against the false teachers although even the other Apostles acknowledge my rank and authority.”
This is a good reminder – actually two good reminders:
1. We need to commend those who have nurtured us in our faith, and honor them.
Remember them, and give them credit. This could be parents or grandparents; it could be the person who led you to the Lord; it could be a pastor or a Sunday School teacher from your youth; it could be someone who was a strong spiritual example and who encouraged you. Don’t make them commend themselves to others when there is an opportunity for you to do it for them.
2. There is a time for self-defense.
Sometimes we need to defend ourselves – not because we like to boast, but because we’ve been attacked or slandered and we need to set the record straight. Perhaps there are rare instances when a proper appreciation for how we’ve served someone would win us an audience to help them again, but we’re being denied that audience because the person has forgotten our sacrifice.
Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
II Corinthians 12:14
The Book of Acts records one visit to Corinth which took place before the writing of II Corinthians, but from this verse we know there had been another one. Paul intended to visit without any love offering for himself, but rather to bring a love offering to them. This is the privilege of parents, not an insult. He would not be burdensome to them, and money would not be an issue. He genuinely loved them, and not just what they had. Love people and use things. Do not love things and use people.
I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?
II Corinthians 12:18
Even Paul’s messenger and partner Titus came to them without seeking any compensation. They walked the same way. It’s not as easy as we might think for a group of men – even ministers of the Gospel – to walk the same way. The secret is not to walk like each other – but to all walk like Jesus.
And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.
II Corinthians 12:21
Paul admitted to some concern that he might find them involved in the same behaviors and sins which had been addressed in I Corinthians. He could do what was necessary – and even accept it as God’s way of humbling him – but it would grieve him and he wished not to have to do it. And that is his introduction to his intentions stated in Chapter 13: that he would follow Jesus’s rules concerning addressing offenses in the Church.
This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
II Corinthians 13:1
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.
II Corinthians 13:5-6
Those who were not truly in the faith would show themselves to be unproven.
Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.
II Corinthians 13:7
We are personally responsible for demonstrating our own authenticity as Christians.
II Corinthians ends on a very Trinitarian note:
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
II Corinthians 13:14
The Apostle Who Came Back from Heaven
March 9, 2022 at 4:47 pm | Posted in II Corinthians | 1 CommentTags: 2 Corinthians 12, Apostle Paul, Biblical suffering, commentary on 2 Corinthians, dependence on God, Heaven, suffering and power, Sunday School lessons on 2 Corinthians, thorn in the flesh
Having finally justified the necessity of listing and defending his own credentials, letting the Corinthian Christians know that this “glorying” was not for the sake of vanity, but for the love he had for them, the Apostle Paul pointed out that what the false teachers falsely claimed about themselves was actually true about Paul, and even exceeded by Paul.
It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
II Corinthians 12:1
There are accounts in the New Testament, and especially in the Book of Acts, where Paul was given immediate revelation from Jesus Himself. I am a Bible literalist, so I don’t like to assume something in Scripture is not the way it sounds – even when virtually all well-known Bible commentators agree – but I am convinced that “the man” Paul described in II Corinthians 12:2 was really Paul himself. If we speak of ourselves in the third person it can easily sound arrogant and condescending, but for Jewish rabbis it was not uncommon to do so when their humility made it difficult to talk about themselves directly in a way that could sound like bragging.
I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
II Corinthians 12:2
Paul was taken up past the clouds, past the planets and stars of outer space, to God’s Heavenly Paradise: what the Greek philosophers called the Empyrean (wrongly associating it with the element of fire). This is something that would have happened to Paul around 43 A.D., during some of the travels described in Acts. It was either a true “out of body experience” or a literal bodily translation up to the “third” heaven.
And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
II Corinthians 12:3-4
We can only speculate as to whether these “unspeakable” words were unspeakable because they were physically impossible for Paul to verbalize, or whether they consisted of revelations which Paul was forbidden by the Lord to repeat.
Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
II Corinthians 12:5
This was a figure of speech. Paul couldn’t bring himself to brag directly, but he just honestly admitted that this experience was something with which it was understandable for people to be impressed. However, he would rather talk about his infirmities.
For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
II Corinthians 12:6-7
For 14 years Paul had been afflicted with this unknown “thorn in the flesh,” something not imposed upon him directly by God, but something ALLOWED by God, in that He gave Satan permission to “buffet” him. The “thorn” was not a symbol for a little sliver or splinter of wood that gets under the skin and irritates and annoys. No, this was meant to call to mind a large and vicious wooden spike, like the thorns in the mocking crown that Jesus wore to Calvary. The buffeting that Paul experienced was fierce and persistent blows and pain, yet for 14 years he had not associated this affliction publicly with his visit to Heaven.
Paul was not like the boy who supposedly visited Heaven and got a book deal from Lifeway. No, Paul’s glorious visit was capped off by a severe reminder that he was not too special to need God’s grace every second.
For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
II Corinthians 12:8
After the third time praying for its removal, the Lord, rather than delivering Paul, gave him something greater to go with it: growth in grace and deep dependence upon God.
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
II Corinthians 12:9-10
How strange this “gift,” and how bizarre God’s (and Paul’s) idea of pleasure, seems to most of us! For Paul, weakness was strength, pain was pleasure, and suffering was power.
Hardship Cubed
November 1, 2021 at 4:14 pm | Posted in II Corinthians | 2 CommentsTags: 2 Corinthians 6, Apostle Paul, Biblical hardships, Biblical trials, commentary on 2 Corinthians, enduring hardship, suffering, Sunday School lessons on 2 Corinthians, tribulation
Working in cooperation with God, Paul and his ministry partners begged the Corinthians to be cooperative with God’s grace.
We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
II Corinthians 6:1
There should be a sense of immediacy whenever we talk about God’s salvation.
(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
II Corinthians 6:2
We must not put up any barriers to belief in Christ, nor place any stumbling-blocks of unbelief as we minister.
Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
II Corinthians 6:3
Paul presented evidence of his own Apostleship and encouraged them to endure difficulties and hardships.
But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
II Corinthians 6:4
He grouped these hardships into three categetories and three examples of each.
GENERAL
1. Afflictions: These were times of pressure and discomfort
2. Necessities: These were things forced upon Paul and his missionary team
3. Distresses: This refers to mental exhaustion
SPECIFIC
1. Stripes: Paul was beaten with whips on at least eight occasions, resulting in an estimated 513 lashes/blows.
2. Imprisonment: He was imprioned at least four times.
3. Tumults: These included violent riots and the times he was forced to travel for his own safety because of them.
VOLUNTARY
1. Labors: This included work done to earn money to live on, and ministerial work.
2. Watchings: Long periods of sleeplessness.
3. Fastings: Intense hunger.
He went from stating evidence of his hardships and Apostolic authority to naming some of the virtues he had developed as a result of these tribulations.
By pureness, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
II Corinthians 6:6-7
Paul’s purity was evident in his holiness and integrity. His knowledge had come through Bible study. He learned to be longsuffering so that he was willing to put up with wrongdoing or injustice committed against him for a long time. He showed kindness by doing good to others. All these things were done through the indwelling and filling of the Holy Spirit. He was motivated by unfeigned love, not flattery or self-interest. The word of truth made him honest. The power of God was manifested whenever he exercised the miraculous sign-gifts. His armor of righteousness protected him against the attacks of the unrighteous. He often received negative criticism, but also occasionally postive praise.
A Christian Weight-Loss Program
October 23, 2019 at 10:33 am | Posted in II Corinthians | 4 CommentsTags: 2 Corinthians 2, Apostle Paul, bittnerness, Christian joy, church discipline, Corinth, heaviness
But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.
II Corinthians 2:1
Before we leap to the conclusion that this verse sets forth the Apostle Paul’s motivation for dropping a few pounds (“I promise not to be so heavy the next time I come to visit you.”), we must remember that the “heaviness” to which he referred meant a spirit of being mentally weighed down with concerns. He wanted very much to see his friends in the church at Corinth, but he wanted to be blessing, not a burden, to them.
For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me?
II Corinthians 2:2
Sorrow tends to be contagious, and we don’t want to be guilty of putting a damper on anyone else’s spiritual enthusiasm, but we must guard against insularity. As Christians, we need to bring joy into the lives of people who are suffering because of sin, and we have the ultimate remedy for their afflictions: the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all. For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you. But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all. Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.
II Corinthians 2:3-8
True Gospel ministry helps us balance correction and love. Satan would like to inject sin into a body of believers, and he sometimes does, forcing us to take serious measures in order to purge it out, but, once it is expelled, he does not quit. If we are not careful he will tempt those involved in correcting a situation to become bitter. Remembering Christ, abiding in Him, and staying humble will cancel out bitterness.
Maintaining a Clean and Sensitive Conscience
August 7, 2019 at 1:44 pm | Posted in II Corinthians, Uncategorized | 12 CommentsTags: 2 Corinthians 1, Apostle Paul, Biblical conscience, clean conscience, commentary on 2 Corinthians, conscience, good conscience, Sunday School lessons on 2 Corinthians
In II Corinthians we find the Apostle Paul having come through a series of crises, including the problem of having to see that one of the church members at Corinth – possibly a leader – was properly disciplined. HOWEVER:
For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
II Corinthians 1:12
As Paul often did, he was able to look within himself to find the strength and the encouragement not to give up. For, unlike many people, when Paul looked within himself he found God empowering him, reassuring him, and comforting him. When we “look” outward, we must use our eyes or at least our physical senses, but with what do we look inward? Our conscience.
Con = with; science = knowledge (to know). Our conscience is not really Jiminy Cricket (from Pinocchio) or the little angel that sits on your shoulder countering a little devil that wants you to do something naughty. The conscience is what we “know with.” It is given by God to every person so that everyone innately knows there is a moral law and moral Lawgiver. It does give us a sense of approval when we do what is right, and it does accuse us or give us a sense of guilt when we do wrong. Even lost people are aware of a sense of right and wrong – objectively. These ideas may be reinforced or corroded by society or experience, but they are hardwired into the human nature (as part of being stamped with the image of God). If a person tells you that right and wrong are subjective or the product of evolution, he or she will quickly fall into severe inconsistency the moment someone snatches her purse or steals his wallet. He/she will quickly become concerned for selfish reasons, but also offended at recognized injustice. No sane person hesitates to call what happened in the 9/11 terrorist attacks or cases of child abuse “evil.”
The conscience is what we “know with,” but it can become calloused and less sensitive – and dirty – which dulls our inward sense of right and wrong. Therefore, it is important to keep our conscience sensitive and clean.
And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void to offence toward God, and toward men.
Acts 24:16
1. Simplicity will help to keep your conscience clean and sensitive.
For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
II Corinthians 1:12
Your ministry in the name of Jesus Christ does not have to be overly complex, nor do all of your evangelistic witnessing enounters: “I was lost and Jesus saved me. I want Him to save you too.”
Sin complicates our lives, when the Lord would be more honored if we kept things simple. Manipulative bait and switch strategies, duplicity, and scheming are techniques sometimes used to attempt to bring people to Jesus, but they do not honor Him the way the simplicity of the Gospel does, and they cause us to forget that He is really the Savior – the One Who seeks and saves, and the One Who speaks and reveals unvarnished truth.
For we write none other things unto you, that what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end; As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are our’s in the day of the Lord Jesus.
II Corinthians 1:13-14
2. Submission to God’s will helps to keep your conscience clean and sensitive.
And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second benefit; And to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again out of Macedonia unto you, and of you to be brought on my way toward Judaea. When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay?
II Corinthians 1:15-17
The church members at Corinth were upset that Paul’s plans had changed, but he had not carelessly or willfully changed his plans or broken any promises. Circumstances had forced his schedule to change. He had qualified his stated commitment with the understanding that he would do what he planned to do, “Lord willing.”
For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit.
I Corinthians 16:7
Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.
James 4:13-16
Saying that we intend to do somthing, “Lord willing,” should not be superstition. It should be a serious recognition that God is sovereignly in control of all circumstances, and does not consult with our schedule when carrying out His eternal decrees.
When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay? But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea. For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
II Corinthians 1:17-20
3. The Holy Spirit helps to keep your conscience clean and sensitive.
The Holy Spirit will give us the proper motive if we are faced with the need to change our plans. Only He gives us the assurance that we truly belong to God.
Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
II Corinthians 1:21-22
Only the Holy Spirit can motivate us to serve others with pure motives.
Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth. Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.
II Corinthians 1:23-24
For by faith we stand, but we stand leaning on Him. By faith we try to keep our consciences clean and sensitive, and we lean fully on the Lord.
An Acceptable Performance
November 17, 2017 at 6:05 pm | Posted in II Corinthians, Philippians, Uncategorized | 9 CommentsTags: 2 Corinthians 5, Apostle Paul, approval of Christ, baseball, little league, Little League baseball, Oswald Chambers, Oswald Chambers quotes, Philippians 1
There came a point in the Apostle Paul’s ministry (and, who knows? it may have been there from the time he met Christ and received the forgiveness of sins) when his fear of death was overshadowed – or at least challenged and deeply ameliorated – by his longing to leave this world behind and go to be with his Lord.
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
Philippians 1:22–23
Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
II Corinthians 5:6-9
It would not be unreasonable to say that, even as Paul cherished his opportunities to minister in the name of Jesus in this world, his heart was still occupied with Heavenly thoughts more than earthly thoughts. In II Corinthians 5:9 he did not attempt to hide the fact that what he was doing was “labor” – the type of physical work that could be easily observed by other human beings. However, even as he labored before, and among, men, he seemed only to be conscious of the eyes of His Master upon him.
I spent my childhood in an environment where baseball was a form of religion. From the earliest levels of little league almost everyone in my home town was cognizant of which kids performed well on the diamond, and which ones didn’t. And, while it seems likely to me all these years later that us boys had an inflated sense of the importance of winning or losing, striking out or getting a base hit, blocking a grounder with our chest (or chin!) or letting it go through our legs, I can also tell you that many a dad was evicted from the park for yelling at, or fighting with, umpires, coaches, and other dads. Plenty of boys who had escaped corporal discipline for bad grades, ditching school, stealing, and vandalizing would find themselves on the business end of a belt or an open-hand whack to the head out behind the concession stand after an 0 for 4 evening or a couple of inexcusable errors. Some of us played the game for fun, and some of us played it for survival.
The result of this kind of pressure to perform is a laser-sharp focus. Despite whatever flaws were instilled into us concerning sportsmanship and fair play, we did learn the sort of concentration that allows you to block out everything else in your surroundings and zero in on the spin of the ball, the tendency of the runner leaning off first as if he might try for second, and where you would throw the ball if it happened to carom off a bat and head in your direction on any given pitch. The roar of the crowd after a good play – or the boos and jeers after an overthrow – became something to tune out and ignore. For several of us, the approval of the crowd did not matter one iota, but the approval of our fathers did. They were who we wanted to please, and there is no doubt we played harder because of our desire for their praise, and because of a fear of their disappointment.
The Apostle Paul did not play baseball, and his Heavenly Father was interested in far greater glories than a small-town sporting event. And, of course, God’s interest in Paul’s performance was not motivated by a petty desire to live vicariously through his exploits. However, Paul wanted very badly for his efforts to be “accepted” by the Lord, and you and I would probably do well to adopt this same motivation today.
Paul is like a musician who does not need the approval of the audience if he can catch the look of approval from his Master.
Oswald Chambers, March 17 devotion on II Corinthians 5:9 from My Utmost for His Highest
Know Your Rights
June 20, 2017 at 3:44 pm | Posted in I Corinthians | 7 CommentsTags: 1 Corinthians 9, Apostle Paul, Apostles, Apostleship, Christian competition, Christian liberty, commentary on 1 Corinthians, pay for ministers, Sunday School lessons on 1 Corinthians, support of ministry
I. The Right to Establish a Legacy
Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?
I Corinthians 9:1
This is part of Paul’s extended argument for why we should be willing and motivated to forego the exercise of our Christian liberties for the sake of our love for other, weaker believers, and for the sake of Christ’s love for them. Before he went into into his own willingness to do this, he asked his audience to concede the obvious fact of his own Apostleship. You and I are not capital-A Apostles, obviously (despite what you see in the Charismatic movement these days), but are we not, in some sense, little-a apostles? Are we not “sent ones,” ambassadors for Christ in the world? Are we not free? Paul was a Roman citizen, in bondage to Christ, but still free from the curse of the Law. Are we not free from the penalty and power of sin? We have not seen Jesus personally with our physical eyes, but I pray that you have seen Him with eyes of faith, and are fully convinced that He is real and that you know Him personally.
The facts of the Corinthians’ conversion and changed lives were evidence of Paul’s Apostolic authority, but do you have people whose lives you have influenced? People who could today testify of the genuineness of your profession? If so, you have a “right” to point to these people as supporting witnesses (although not conclusive proof) of the authenticity of your walk with the Lord. You may not be the founder of a church like Paul was, but surely there are a group of people who see you as a spiritual mentor or at least a Godly influence in their lives. If not, this is a goal to strive for: make a legacy of faithfulness and influence.
If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.
I Corinthians 9:2
Yet there were some who challenged Paul’s credentials:
Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,
I Corinthians 9:3
II. The Right to Earn a Living
Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?
I Corinthians 9:5
The idea of “leading about” our wives, who are also our sisters in Christ, is awkwardly worded to us, as if a husband had a rope through his wife’s nose, or as if she was unable to see and needed to be led through life like a blind person. What it really refers to, though, is the type of servant-leadership and leading-in-love that the Bible gives to husbands as a fearful and Christ-honoring responsibility. Paul was not married, as far as we can tell, but there was nothing about his full-time service as an Apostle that prohibited him from being married. (I Corinthians 9:5 also refutes the Roman Catholic policy of unmarried priests – especially since it uses Peter as the specific example of a married Apostle.)
Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?
I Corinthians 9:6
It is not wrong for full-time ministers to be supported financially by the Church, and through charitable and required giving.
Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?
I Corinthians 9:7
Just like in the secular world, people expect to be paid for serving others, and people who are in the business of caring for livestock and crops also draw their own livelihood from some of the very supply they produce for others.
Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?
I Corinthians 9:8
The Bible is very specific in giving authority to working people to eat from the fruits of their own labor.
III. The Right to Eat Leftovers
Have we not power to eat and to drink?
I Corinthians 9:4
The word for “power” here means authority.
For it is written in the law of Moses, thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
I Corinthians 9:9-11
The principle of reaping and sowing is both material and spiritual. If we accept the spiritual side of it, the material side really ought to be a no-brainer. Ministers have the right to eat the leftovers from what is given into their hands as part of their service to the Lord.
Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?
I Corinthians 9:13
However, it is important to remember that the having of a right does not dictate the necessity of exercising that right.
IV. The Right to Eschew Liberty
But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.
I Corinthians 9:15
So, the Apostle Paul, while in Corinth, did not get paid for ministry; he would have rather die than be accused of greed or scamming.
For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
I Corinthians 9:16-18
In fact, he was called to preach the Gospel whether or not he was paid, and he considered the privilege of preaching it to be its own reward. I hope you and I would have this attitude in ministry, because it is often a thankless task, and a motivation of “giving to get” will all too often result in discouragement and even bitterness.
For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
I Corinthians 9:19-22
Please understand the context of the foregoing verses, because an out-of-context reading of the statement, “I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some,” was the “seeker movement’s” life verse during the heyday of Rick Warren’s purpose-driven campaign to see Christian churches run like service-industry corporations. It was a verse twisted to justify all manner of pragmatic shenanigans that ultimately destroyed many formerly-sound local churches, and – according to many reports – led to vast numbers of false converts. What the verse is really about is the adoption of non-sinful but foreign cultural norms, for the sake of the Gospel. The Holy Spirit did not mean for “all means” to include sinful means, nor a “bait and switch” ministry method. And, while it is true that Paul’s evangelistic methods were pragmatic in a sense, what he practiced was a holy and honest pragmatism with all cards on the table, not so that he might spring the truth like a trap once he had gained people’s trust, but so that he could honestly portray the ethic of Christian love in building genuine – GENUINE – relationships and share the Gospel with “all men.”
Paul was willing to forfeit certain rights and privileges, and was unwilling to flaunt his liberty to encourage comfort with sin, or to stunt the strengthening of conscience.
V. The Right to Exercise Laboriously
This is the one part of I Corinthians Chapter Chapter 9 – an otherwise very clear chapter – which is somewhat difficult to grasp. There is not a whole lot of agreement among commentators about the precise details of what is being conveyed.
It helps to understand the Isthmian Games, a popular sporting event in Paul’s day, that would have been known to all Corinthians. It also seems likely from the biographical information we can glean about Paul from the Bible that he may have actually competed in these games (possibly in racing events and/or fighting matches featuring a combination of wrestling and striking similar to what is known as “MMA” today), which were a smaller version of the Olympic games.
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
I Corinthians 9:24
The main idea in this passage of Scripture is that an athlete who really wants to win, not only takes the event itself seriously, but the training leading up to the event.
And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
I Corinthians 9:25
However, the “competition” (which is a competition within ourselves and against spiritual enemies, not against each other) is far more important than any earthly sporting event.
I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
I Corinthians 9:26
This probably refers to strategic blows – not flailing wildly hoping to hit the opponent by chance.
But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
I Corinthians 9:27
When we, as Christians, set aside our rights and freedoms in favor of temperance for the sake of weaker believers, we not only help them, but we help ourselves by working hard toward the right goal, which is mortifying: (1) our flesh; (2) our desires; and (3) any part of our makeup that has a bent toward anything sinful.
The Deep End 
II Corinthians: The Ministry of Defense
May 25, 2022 at 9:27 am | Posted in II Corinthians | 1 CommentTags: 2 Corinthians, Apostle Paul, commentary on 2 Corinthians, defense of ministry, lessons on 2 Corinthians, self-defense, study of 2 Corinthians, Sunday School lessons on 2 Corinthians
The Epistle we know as II Corinthians has various themes and purposes, but one striking feature is how the Holy Spirit caused and allowed the Apostle Paul – who was so often attacked, insulted, undermined, and challenged by the enemies of the Gospel in the early Church – to defend his ministry with humility, but also with forthright boldness. As a Christian minister you may need to:
-Defend your ministry by finding your comfort and consolation in Christ and His suffering (II Corinthians 1:5-6)
-Defend your ministry by having compassion (II Corinthians 2:4)
-Defend your ministry by focusing on God’s glory (II Corinthians 3:18)
-Defend your ministry by thinking of it as a treasure (II Corinthians 4:4-7)
-Defend your ministry by reconciliation (II Corinthians 5:17-21)
-Defend your ministry by separation (II Corinthians 6:14-17)
-Defend your ministry by encouragement (II Corinthians 7:6-7)
-Defend your ministry by faithful giving (II Corinthians 8:1-3)
-Defend your ministry by cheerful giving (II Corinthians 9:7)
-Defend your ministry through spiritual warfare (II Corinthians 10:3-5)
-Defend your ministry with Godly jealousy (II Corinthians 11:2-5)
-Defend your ministry with humility (II Corinthians 12:7-10)
-Defend your ministry by warning others (II Corinthians 13:10)
Below are links to lessons on II Corinthians:
1. Consolation / Catastrophe (1:1-7)
2. More Strange Weapons: A Bone (Simple, Silly, Serious, and Successful) (1:12; 11:3)*
3. Maintaining a Clean and Sensitive Conscience (1:12-24)
4. A Christian Weight-Loss Program (2:1-8)
5. A Pair of Paradoxes (2:10; 10:6)
6. Tips for Teachers (3:1-3)
7. Unveiled Glory and Unguarded Giving (3:7-18)
8. Forgetting To Remember – Part 1 (3:9-11; 10:5)
9. Two Requirements: Light and Eyesight (4)
10. Why Some People Just Don ‘t Get all that Jesus/Church/Religion/Christianity/Gospel Stuff (4:3-4)
11. Breaching Reality (4:4-6)
12. Strange Weapons Lesson 3: The Pitcher (spiritual application) (4:4-7; 10:3-4; 12:10; 13:3-4)
13. Light Is Stronger than Darkness (4:6)
14. Trusted with the Treasure (4:7)
15. Key Words for Bible Teachers: Treasure (4:7)
16. Changing Clothes for the Last Time (5:1-6)
17. Beware the Fiduciary Foundation (5:5)
18. An Acceptable Performance (5:6-9)
19. Examining Our Motivations (5:7-11)
20. Three Questions and Three Answers (5:19-20)
21. Catechism Question 20 (5:21)
22. Hardship Cubed (6:1-7)
23. Maybe (6:2)
24. The Good, the Bad, and the Godly (6:8-10)
25. Speaking from the Heart (6:10-18)
26. Douglas Wilson: S.W.I.M. to Get Out of Secularism (6:17)
27. How to Repair a Broken Relationship (7:2-16)
28. Oswald Chambers Says You Can S.W.I.M. with Joy (7:4)
29. Willing to Give (8)
30. Is it Wrong To Ask for an Overt Response? (Part 2) (8:3-5)
31. Causality and God’s Will (8:3-5)
32. Motivations for Giving (9)
33. D.L. Moody: S.W.I.M. Deeper in Grace (9:8)
34. Thinking through the Battle (10:1-8)
35. Imagination in Marriage (10:3-6)
36. Take the Good with the Bad (10:5)
37. Think Again (10:7)
38. With Whom Will You Bear? (11:1-19)
39. Bondage, Biting, Bragging, and Beating (11:16-23)
40. The Apostle Who Came Back from Heaven (12:1-10)
41. A Child’s View of God’s Supremacy (12:7-10)
42. Seven Marriage Resolutions (12:14-15)
43. Spiritual Self-Defense (12:11 – 13:14)
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