2 Corinthians 10:1-13:14    

11:1-6 Paul started the church in Corinth. He promised to present this church as a pure bride to one husband-- Christ. But he fears that she's been deceived by Satan much like Eve was deceived in the garden. Perhaps they are not sincerely devoted to Christ. Paul says this because they are putting up with men who come to them and preach a different Jesus, a different spirit, and a different gospel from what he brought to them. They think Paul is inferior to the false apostles whom Paul refers to as "super-apostles."

v. 7-15 There's a little sarcasm in Paul's writing that certainly stems from his frustration and concern for them. He asks whether it was a sin for him to preach to them free of charge. No doubt the super-apostles are being supported financially by the Corinthians otherwise they would have moved on. Paul confesses that he "robbed" the poor Macedonians and other churches so that he would not be a financial burden when he was with them. Paul is clearly not in ministry for the money or the glory. He does this because he loves them. And he will keep operating his ministry this way in order to "cut the ground from under" the super-apostles. In other words, he wants to expose these false apostles for who they really are. He calls them deceitful workmen who are just like Satan who masqueraded as an angel of light. These false apostles are servants of Satan whose "end will be what their actions deserve."

v. 16-33 Now Paul speaks "as a fool" by boasting. He says they gladly put up with fools since they are so "wise." They even put up with false apostles who enslave, exploit, take advantage of them, and slap them in the face. Apparently the readers think such men are strong but Paul admits he was "too weak" to do such things to them. Here is Paul's response to the boasts of the false apostles.

 Paul is always on the move because he's in danger. Danger from rivers, bandits, his own countrymen (Jews), and Gentiles. In danger in the city, the country, and at sea. In danger from false brothers. He works hard and has been hungry, thirsty, cold, naked, and is always concerned about the churches he has started. He feels other people's pain and it upsets him when false teachers lead them into sin. Paul boasts about his weakness and suffering, not his accomplishments or the miracles he's performed. God is his witness that this is true. Even in Damascus right after his conversion he had to run away to avoid being killed.

12:1-10 Paul goes on with his boasting. He knew a man (this man is actually Paul himself) who experienced great visions 14 years ago. He heard "inexpressible things" that no man is allowed to tell. Paul tells them about these visions in an indirect way because he doesn't want them to put him up on a pedestal. God gave him a "thorn in the flesh" to prevent him from becoming conceited (like the false apostles). He calls this "thorn" a messenger from Satan that torments him. He pleaded with the Lord three times to take it away but the Lord merely said that His grace was sufficient for Paul. The Lord's power is made perfect in human weakness. So that's why Paul delights in weakness, insults, etc. Not because he enjoys such treatment, but because it shows the strength of his Lord.

v. 11-13 Paul seems embarrassed by all his boasting. The Corinthians should be boasting about him then he wouldn't have to do it himself. Again he says he's not inferior to the super-apostles. Here are the marks of an apostle-- signs, wonders, and miracles, which Paul did among them. He seems to suggest that somehow the Corinthians felt inferior and that's why they were attracted to these "super-apostles." But Paul assures them that they are not at all inferior to the other churches. Again he wryly begs their forgiveness for not being more of a burden to them.

v. 14-18 He's about to visit them for the third time. He doesn't want their stuff, he wants them. They are like children to him and he doesn't expect them to save up for him. He will gladly spend everything he has for them and give himself as well. "If I love you more will you love me less?" Again we see a little sarcasm as he calls himself a "crafty fellow" who caught them by trickery. Of course this is not true. He and his men never tricked them or exploited them.

v.19-21 Paul is always working to make them stronger in their faith. He's afraid that when he visits them he will not find them as he wants them to be and they will not find him as they want him to be. He's expecting quarreling, jealousy, factions (divisions), and disorder. It could be a very ugly visit. God may have to humble Paul before them so they will listen to him. Paul expects he will be grieved by the unrepentance of some of these men.

13:1-4 This will be his third visit. According to the Law of Moses "every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses." He warned them in his previous visit (that's 1). He is warning them again in this letter (that's 2). His next visit will be the third "witness." Then this matter will be "established" or settled. They are demanding proof that Christ speaks through Paul. They apparently think the Lord is weak in dealing with them. Paul says of course Christ was crucified in weakness but now He lives by God's power. In the same way, Paul may seem weak to them now but he too lives by God's power to serve the churches.

v. 5-10 They must examine themselves and test themselves to see if they are in the faith. Then they will realize that Christ is in them-- unless they fail the test. What is the test? Perhaps it is whether or not they have accepted a different Jesus, different spirit, or different gospel than Paul originally gave them. Paul says they should test him too. He's confident that they will find him to be in the faith but even if they think he's failed the test they still must do what is right in the eyes of the Lord. Paul's not competing with them. He's glad when he is weak and they are strong. He's hoping this letter will be enough to change them so that he won't have to exercise his God-given authority when he comes to visit.

v. 11-14 "Finally brothers, good-by." Paul closes this letter rather abruptly. He doesn't mention anyone by name and there are none of the usual pleasantries. He only encourages them to 1) aim for perfection, 2) listen to his appeal, 3) be of one mind, and 4) live in peace. The final verse alludes to the entire Trinity. The grace of Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.

Congratulations! You've finished both letters to the Corinthians.

Remember, there's no class next week, October 27th.

See you November 3rd as we start a new book.

--Sandy Blank