2 Corinthians (Written)

Saturday, 28 November 2015

I robbed other churches, taking wages from them to minister to you. 2 Corinthians 11:8

In his previous words, Paul noted that he preached the gospel “free of charge” to those at Corinth. However, he now tells them that he didn’t preach without any type of earnings. Rather, he says that “I robbed other churches, taking wages from them to minister to you.” The word he uses for “robbed” is used only here in the New Testament. It means “to plunder” as if in exercising a “right of seizure,” like spoils in war.

This is said then in an ironic rather than a literal fashion. Other churches had helped him out and he used what they had given him as he spread the gospel to live on. By so doing, he was able to preach at Corinth “free of charge.” Whereas they received the message without paying him, others were despoiled at their expense.

This is the purpose of a mission budget. Those who give to a traveling minister do so knowing that they are being “robbed” in order for that minister to freely assist others. Hence, for “taking wages” Paul uses the term opsṓnion. It comes from opson, meaning “meat” and onemoai, meaning “purchase.” It is that which allows one to buy meat (food). From that it came to be considered “ration-money paid to soldiers.”

It is this idea that he had in mind. He was, as it were, a soldier who was in a spiritual battle and his wages were for that purpose. Although it is not sure which churches he is referring to, in his letter to the Philippians he notes that at least they had helped him in his spiritual conquest –

Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. ¹⁶ For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.” Philippians 4:15, 16

Life application: The laborer is worthy of his wages. Be sure to openly and freely assist those who tirelessly work in their duties to bring the message of Christ, and the explanation of His word, to others. If your income is used to help bring this message to others, does it matter if it is in Kansas or Kuala Lumpur?

Lord God, it sure is wonderful to know that Your precious gospel message is still being carried around the world. From Sarasota, Florida to Shinjuku, Japan; and from Kalamazoo, Michigan to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia it is being preached. Throughout this world of Yours, faithful souls are sharing the good news and teaching Your word. Please send a blessing upon them and let them know that their efforts are not in vain. Thank You for guiding Your word, even to the ends of the world! Amen.

Friday, 27 November 2015

Did I commit sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge? 2 Corinthians 11:7

The transition from the previous verse seems abrupt, but it isn’t really. Paul is displaying irony in the contrast –

“Even though I am untrained in speech, yet I am not in knowledge. But we have been thoroughly manifested among you in all things. ⁷ Did I commit sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge?”

After showing that he is trained in knowledge, he asks, “Did I commit sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted?” In essence, “Am I lacking knowledge in what denotes sin?” Obvious such is not the case, but his actions had been challenged in this way. He humbled himself by working with his own hands in the trade of tentmaker so that those in Corinth would be elevated above himself. His job was lowly, tedious, and not one which made a great deal of money.

If someone came to the church and saw him, they would say, “There is that lowly tent-maker.” In this, the rest of the congregation would seem like much more honorable citizens in whatever job they had. This is evident because he finishes with, “…because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge.”

If the same person came in and saw Paul, knowing that he was a paid preacher, then he would be elevated in the congregation. This is always the case. A person who is paid by the crowd for his talents, be it an actor or a faith healer, is always universally perceived of as exalted and worthy of respect. Paul chose not to exercise his rights to pay and honor, but rather to allow those around him to be elevated above him.

It seems that his detractors found it inappropriate that he didn’t charge for his services in sharing the gospel. This accusation could have been made in a couple of different ways –

1) They may have said that anyone who had a sound message was worth the wages of his labors. Because Paul failed to receive pay from the Corinthians, he proved his own lack of true value. Or,

2) It could be that because Paul accepted pay from other churches (such as the Macedonians noted in verse 9), but not from those in Corinth, it was demeaning to the Corinthians. It has already been noted that the Macedonians were impoverished (2 Corinthians 8:2) and so those at Corinth may infer that Paul is actually shaming toward them by taking from a poor group but refusing pay from them.

It seems that no matter what avenue Paul chose, his detractors would find fault in his actions.

Life application: It is not demeaning to take a lower position than one which a person is otherwise entitled to. In fact, it is a precept which Jesus taught and which He also lived out. Be cautious to not find fault in others when they are willing to show humility. It is a trait which God approves of throughout His word.

Lord God, thank You for those leaders who act with humility and who are willing to associate with those around them, rather than distancing themselves from the crowd. It is a rare trait in this world that our leaders, whether spiritual, political, or work-related, are willing to not exalt themselves. Those who do are following the greatest example of all – Christ, who humbled Himself and walked among us, lowly sinners. Help each of us to have the same attitude towards those around us. Amen.

Thursday, 26 November 2015

Even though I am untrained in speech, yet I am not in knowledge. But we have been thoroughly manifested among you in all things. 2 Corinthians 11:6

In the previous verse, he said that he was “not at all inferior to the most eminent apostles.” This was a jab at those false apostles, not the real ones. From this verse, we can deduce that they were those who came and spoke with great eloquence. On the contrary, Paul admits that he is “untrained in speech.” The word for “untrained” is idiótés. It is a word which has morphed into our own language as “idiot.” However, at the time and according to Helps Word Studies, it meant “properly, of one’s own self; used of a person who conspicuously lacks education or status – hence, easily misunderstood as being uninstructed (unrefined, ‘unlettered in speech’).”

Paul admits that his speech is lacking the grace of those who came to woo the Corinthians away from him. He was born and raised in Tarsus and it may be that the Greek he learned was less refined than it could have been. Or it could be that he simply lacked eloquence through a stutter or a slow mental process which was more concerned about precision than oration. Whatever the reason, he notes that though this might be the case with his speech, “yet I am not in knowledge.”

Paul was well trained in the law, having studied under Gamaliel. He was a Pharisee of Pharisees and had all of the knowledge of the law to be considered the most schooled of Jews. Further, he had personal revelation from Jesus Christ concerning the church and the calling of the Gentiles. In no way was his knowledge lacking. It is a point which was of far more value than a highly eloquent and polished tongue.

From this verse, we can see that these false apostles were of the same breed as those who stood and listened to Peter and John speak in Acts 4. A similar thought is mentioned about them –

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13

History has borne this assessment of Paul out. Studying his writings seems to show that His Greek was less-cultured than one might expect of such a great mind. As Albert Barnes notes –

“Critics profoundly acquainted with the Greek language remark, that while there is great energy of thought and of diction in the writings of Paul; while he chooses or coins most expressive words, yet that there is everywhere a lack of Attic elegance of manner, and of the smoothness and beauty which were so grateful to a Grecian ear.”

Regardless of this lack of smoothness and beauty, it is the substance behind his words which truly matters. With his great knowledge he notes that “we have been thoroughly manifested among you in all things.” Those in Corinth had received Christ through him and his fellow apostles. They had received training in Christ after that. The questions which had been raised had been fully answered. In all ways, the effort and work of Paul was made manifest to the fullest measure in them. The humble tent maker sewed more into his disciples than he did into linen or leather.

Life application: A lack of eloquence doesn’t necessarily mean a lack of knowledge. In fact, one who has precision of thought may actually lack in smooth speech, being more concerned about being correct than being graceful to the ear.

Lord God Almighty, You have fashioned each one of us according to Your wisdom. It is true that we can learn and grow as individuals, but the basic structure of who we are came from You. So why should we worry about our limitations or failings in one area or another? You have given us strengths according to Your plan and so help us to be content with them. We exist as we are because of You! Thank You for Your infinitely wise hand which has so carefully fashioned us. Amen.

Wednesday, 25 November 2015

For I consider that I am not at all inferior to the most eminent apostles. 2 Corinthians 11:5

This verse from Paul almost exudes anger at having to defend his apostleship to those whom he introduced to Christ. In Galatians 1, he had been given the right hand of fellowship by James, Cephas, and John – the chief apostles at Jerusalem. When Peter came to Antioch, Paul had actually rebuked him for straying from the truth of the gospel. In Acts 15, Paul was granted full support for his ministry by the Council at Jerusalem both in writing and with accompanied witnesses to travel with him.

His apostleship was fully attested to and yet it was being challenged by “the most eminent apostles.” Here he is not speaking of the true apostles, but by those who claimed to be apostles, but were false. He speaks of them again in verse 13, describing them in a most negative light.

The word he uses, which is translated here as “most eminent apostles,” is unique and strange. One scholar translates this as “extra super apostles” to show the almost laughable way that Paul viewed them. His words show the depth of his emotion over this matter. Those in Corinth had compared his true apostleship to that of a false one, and they had found the false one more appealing.

For him to have to say “I consider that I am not at all inferior” to them was obviously something deeply hurtful.

Life application: Having sound doctrine is obviously important. If Paul had to face challenges to his apostolic authority because others were coming and polluting the simplicity of the gospel, how much more should we be careful and attentive to this now that we have the entire Bible to learn and apply? Do we suppose that we can have a right relationship with the Lord apart from the very word He has given? Watch out for false teachings that come as people twist and manipulate the word for their own vile purposes.

Heavenly Father, I’m not sure what prompts people to present false information concerning You and Your word – money, power, status? Whatever reason it is, it is heartbreaking to consider that they will tear people away from You who are unwilling to study Your word, preparing themselves for such wolves. I pray that folks will place a high value on this most precious gift You have given us in order to keep from being led astray. Amen.

Tuesday, 24 November 2015

For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it! 2 Corinthians 11:4

“For if he” is singular. It is speaking of any individual who would come and proclaim a false Jesus. This gives illumination to Paul’s words of Galatians 1 –

“I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, ⁷ which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. ⁸ But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:6-8

A false Jesus is one not presented by the apostles, and the message of a false Jesus diverts from the truth of what God did in Christ. Even by this early date, there were countless heresies already springing up. Throughout the epistles, the truth of Christ is given to counter these falsities. With the Bible complete, we have the true and only source for doctrine concerning Christ. Any other, according to Paul, is “another Jesus whom we have not preached.” There is orthodoxy, and then there is heresy. Doctrine matters.

Continuing on, he writes, “…or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received.” This is a separate thought from the one who preaches a false Jesus. It is speaking of a false inspiration. An example of such a false spirit is given by John –

“By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, ³ and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.” 1 John 4:2, 3

Christian circles are literally filled to the brim with false spirits of inspiration. People claim all kinds of revelations from God which are untrue. The Bible is written and further revelation would only confuse, not help, the message. Such claims should be rejected right away lest a seed of false teaching turn into a field of it.

In these first two clauses, “another Jesus” denies the identity of Christ, whereas a “different spirit” denies any similarity in nature. It is of the utmost importance that both are held to in matters concerning Christ.

Paul’s words are poignant and direct, but he has yet more for us to consider. Not only are there false presentations of Jesus and false claims of inspiration, but there is also “a different gospel.” The Corinthians had accepted Paul’s words, but along comes another gospel which they had not accepted, and yet Paul was concerned that they “may well put up with it!”

There is one gospel which Paul consistently presents. We are saved by grace through faith; no works added. And yet at every turn people re-impose works of the law or add in externals, claiming that they are necessary in order to be saved. The gospel is a total and complete reliance on the work of Jesus Christ in fulfilling the law for us. In Him, it is finished; let us not attempt to tarnish His marvelous work through “a different gospel” which is no gospel at all.

Further, let us never even consider putting up with it. In his final words of the verse, the adverb translated as “well” is emphatic. Paul’s words drip with irony. They were willing to follow a false gospel, but they were resistant to continue in the message which they had first received from him. It shows a confusion of mind and a sense of self-pride that had replaced a total dependence on Christ. Instead, they were ready to accept a false Christ whose works were incomplete, a false spirit which was sensational and exciting to listen to, and a false gospel which says, “I have helped out in my own salvation.”

Life application: Let us learn the lesson of Paul’s words here and hold fast to the truth of the Person of Jesus Christ, the reliability and surety of God’s word as our source of inspiration, and to the sound and reasonable gospel which says that Christ has done it all for us. His work is a gift from God. Let us not taint the gift in any way.

Heavenly Father, I rely solely on the merits of Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.