Tag: Devotion

2 Corinthians 11:23-24 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.

For the Apostle Paul, Jesus could have consumed him on that road to Damascus. He was blinded. He could have remained blind. He is the pot in the hands of the potter. He knew the heart of God is of love, it cannot do him bad but will only do him good if he will only continue to trust and continue to follow Jesus in obedience. The evangelist DL Moody realized this truth when he gave his life to Christ full time, “it is not what Moody can do for Christ but what Christ can do to make a more sanctified Moody.” As the Apostle Paul goes through all these afflictions for the sake of the gospel, Jesus was purifying and moulding him to be conformed to His image. And this is the sole purpose of man’s existence. We are made in the image of God to reflect Him.

This is the Apostle Paul’s testimony nearing the end of his life. 1 Timothy 1:12-16 “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.”

We are to follow after the Apostle Paul as did Timothy. It was by the sheer mercy of God that he can serve the living and true God. He called himself a chief of sinners. If one is a chief sinner then he is most unworthy. Yet God pardoned such a one and died for such a one to save and entrust him with His Word. It was out of a heart of gratitude that the Apostle Paul served. And he said that God’s grace was exceeding abundant with faith (in trusting God whatever the external circumstance may be) and love (the power that drives his sacrifice).

2 Corinthians 11:23-24 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.

The Apostle Paul’s words read like a parody of the famous inscription of Augustus in which he catalogs the glories of his reign, the achievements he wanted all to remember:

Twice have I had the lesser triumph … three times the [full] curule triumph; twenty-one times have I been saluted as “Imperator.” … Fifty-five times has the Senate decreed a thanksgiving unto the Immortal Gods … Nine kings, or children of kings, have been led before my chariot in my triumphs … thirteen times had I been consul.

The original inscription was erected on bronze pillars at the emperor’s mausoleum in Rome, and copies were distributed throughout the provinces. Portions have been found in Ancyra (capital of Galatia), Apollonia (in Illyricum), and Antioch (in Pisidia). Such chronicles of glory would have been familiar to Paul and the Corinthians, rendering Paul’s “boast” all the more ironic.¹

Being reminded of the sufferings of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Apostle Paul walked in His steps.

2 Corinthians 11:23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.

The conditions in which prisoners were typically held would be considered inhumane by modern standards. Locked away in over-crowded, lice-infested, unsanitary, and lightless hovels, prisoners routinely contracted disease through incarceration and sometimes died as a result of a prolonged stay in a Roman jail. Heavy iron manacles were bound around wrists, feet, and often the neck, which grated through the flesh and caused all manner of pain and infection. Paul’s frequent mention of his “chains,” should conjure up images too distressful to contemplate.¹

One such prison experience was in Philippi described by Luke in Acts 16:16-31 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the market place unto the rulers, And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans. And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed. And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

The steward of the jail together with his family was gloriously saved! God authenticated his servant with an earthquake that shook off his chains. He could have escaped but he did not. He had a higher mission that enabled him to endure the pain of imprisonment. Such is the man!

2 Corinthians 11:22-23 Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. 23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.

The Apostle Paul shared that he was as much a true blue Israelite as those that seek to undermine the faith of the Corinthians. What distinguished him was that he suffered for the sake of the gospel. He paid the price. He was authenticating his ministry by recounting his labours and sufferings for the gospel’s sake. The infiltrators to the church cannot say the same. They came with an agenda to seek gain for themselves. But for the Apostle Paul, he recounted his losses. These losses accounted for his genuine calling and service. It was a sacrificial work in which he willingly suffered it.

He speaks of working very hard for the gospel’s sake. The effort takes a toll on the body. Yet he willingly laboured. He speaks of being whipped for preaching the gospel. He had to endure great pain. Such whipping often inflicts permanent injury on the body. The scars of the suffering and memory of them cannot be easily erased because they were often excruciating. His life was often in danger. It was a precarious work. Why would one risk his life? He testifies of his suffering to bring a contrast to the ministry of those who preached another gospel. He distinguished his apostleship by his suffering! Those others cannot say the same.

2 Corinthians 11:21 I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also.

The Apostle Paul’s defence is well summed up in the introductory words of Jude in his epistle providing warning on the character of false teachers – Jude 3-4 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

He was exposing them with holy courage. A boldness borne out of his love for the brethren. Such holy boldness enabled him to write clearly and emphatically so that he might steer the hearts of the Corinthians, veered from ungodly influence, be brought back to spiritual bearing!

Jeremiah the prophet in the Old Testament to Israel resembled the Apostle Paul’s predicament. How both men were watchful to the welfare of the flock God had them to shepherd. This is well depicted in the story of “The Biblical Almond Tree”

2 Corinthians 11:21 I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also.

Concerning reproach for the sake of Christ, the dishonour and shame that the Apostle Paul had to endure in his sufferings to preach the gospel, he will share with us so that the Corinthian church may see his care and love for them. Why does he need to make such an elaborate show of what he has done? The gospel work in Corinth has been undermined when false apostles sought to discredit the Apostle Paul, the like of which he described in Acts 20:28-30 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

His parting words to the church in Ephesus gives us a picture of the spiritual care the Apostle Paul had for the church in Corinth – Acts 20:31-38 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck, and kissed him, Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.

2 Corinthians 11:19-20 For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise. For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.

The Apostle Paul provided 5 distinct factual descriptions of the impact the enemies of the gospel had upon the Corinthians. He sought they would be awakened to their perils.

Bring You Into Bondage – by their false doctrines – slavery of the law (Acts 15:10), Christ is not sufficient for salvation. [MacDonald]
Devour You – by taking advantage of their privilege for receiving financial support, made heavy financial demands on them, not serving out of love. [Wiersbe]
Take of You – controlling them, taking against their freedom, like a bird caught in a snare. [Wiersbe]
Exalt Himself – exalting themselves rather than the Lord Jesus Christ.
Smite You – verbal, abusive attacks on the congregation as opposed to the Apostle Paul’s loving warnings and admonitions. [MacDonald]

2 Corinthians 11:19 For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise.

The Corinthian church welcomed anyone, especially those who were willing to preach and teach the people. The expression gladly is a true description of the warm welcome newcomers received in the Corinthian congregation. The members of the church were willing to overlook the character flaws, abusive behaviour, and devious doctrine of the false apostles. They voluntarily travelled the second mile to accommodate them… The term fools does not allude to Paul (v17) but to the intruders.

They are the ones who by their words and actions demonstrate their separation from the source and knowledge, Jesus Christ. (Col. 2:3)… Paul has a subtle play on words in the Greek text that cannot be matched in English. He calls fools aphronoi and the wise phronimoi, with these words identifies the two groups of people: the false teachers and the Corinthians respectively. His choice of words is deliberate, for he wants to show a closer relationship between the two. Relying on their own wisdom, the people in Corinth have made fools of themselves.” [Hendriksen]

2 Corinthians 11:17 That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.

Is there a legitimate cause for boasting in the Apostle Paul’s code of conduct? Not that he has understood from his Lord, there is no place for boasting in the ministry. And yet he was engaged precisely in this. Why the misalignment in his conduct? Hendriksen observed well, “Paul wants to imitate the Lord Jesus Christ who never boasted, but for the sake of influencing the Corinthians to better insight he momentarily adopts the character of a fool… what Paul is saying ought not to be interpreted as coming from the Lord but rather out of the circumstances into which Paul has been cast…. Momentarily he has adopted a role that is not his own, yet with it, he seeks to advance the cause of Christ.” He had a good reason for doing so but he was not impressed with the means by which he accomplished it, nevertheless, he felt was necessary to do so.

Gill provided further insight when he said, “Were it not for the necessity under which I am laid to vindicate my apostleship, my present glorying would be inconsistent with my Christian profession of humility, and knowing no one after the flesh.”

As we analyse and observe the work of the ministry, indeed, the enemy was cunning and shrewd, the Apostle Paul must have considered other possible alternative approaches in defending the gospel work established. This was directly striking at the core of the matter, he was in the ministry not for filthy lucre putting a contrast with the enemies of the gospel so that the eyes of the Corinthian church may be opened to the danger to their souls in accepting these individuals.

2 Corinthians 11:16 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.

The Apostle Paul had to share his credentials to authenticate his apostleship. It was not him to boast. He would rather be quiet than to blow his own trumpet. He was doing so not for himself. Rather it was to expose the false apostles. He did so for the spiritual well-being of the Corinthian church. He says, in effect, “Even if you have to look on me as a fool, which I am not, even then receive me so that I may do a little boasting like these other men do.” [MacDonald]

Matthew Henry observed well here, “Ordinarily, indeed, it is unbecoming a wise man to be much and often speaking in his own praise. Boasting of ourselves is usually not only a sign of a proud mind, but a mark of folly also. However, says the apostle, yet as a fool receive me; that is, if you count it folly in me to boast a little, yet give due regard to what I shall say.”