2 Corinthians 12:11; A Fool in Glorying
2 Corinthians 12:11 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.
It was not in the Apostle Paul’s spiritual demeanour to boast of his standing before God. He did so not to bringing any glory to himself rather to ask the Corinthian church to follow him as he follow his Christ. MacDonald observed well here, “He was not behind the most eminent apostles in whom they gloried.” The heart of his servant was not lifted up but was sober for the cause of his Lord.
Someone asked Augustine what was the first of the religious graces, and he said, “Humility.” They asked him what was the second and he replied, “Humility.” They asked him the third, and he said, “Humility.” I think that if we are humble, we have all the graces. Our Lord Jesus sets for us the example of a meek and humble spirit by His consecration and His holy resolve to fulfill His Father’s will always. At the Garden of Gethsemane, He agonized in prayer that the Father would grant Him strength to endure the sufferings and humiliation of the cross to purchase our redemption. The angel appeared unto Him from heaven and strengthened Him. What an encouragement for every suffering saint. Our Lord knows. He understands when we cry to Him when it seems so difficult to walk according to Scriptures. It is indeed through God’s grace. Jesus suffered, and even died, but He rose victorious over death on the third day giving to us everlasting life and hope!