Category: The Word (Page 11 of 34)

God is the Great Actor.  But we mustn’t be passive.  This is obvious from Paul’s letter’s conclusion . . .

“This will be my third visit to you. ‘Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ I already gave you a warning when I was with you the second time. I now repeat it while absent: On my return I will not spare those who sinned earlier or any of the others, since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you.  For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him to serve you” (13:1-4).

At his first visit, Paul planted the church in Corinth (Acts 18:1-8).  His second was severe and grievous (2 Corinthians 1:23; 3:1).  On his third, citing Deuteronomy 19:15, he will discipline the stubbornly unrepentant.

They see Paul’s Christ-like gentleness as weakness.  But, if it’s power they prefer, it’s power they’ll get in the name of the resurrected Christ—not to protect Paul from criticism, but to uphold his apostleship.  To deny that is to deny the Christ who commissioned him.

Of what kind of discipline does Paul warn?

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you– unless, of course, you fail the test?  And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test.  Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong. Not that people will see that we have stood the test but that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed.  For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.  We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is for your perfection. This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority– the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down” (13:5-10).

Paul urges them to self-examination.  For if they can affirm their faith in Christ, that will confirm Paul is Christ’s apostle.  This is what Paul wants.  He wants them strong in Christ.  He wants them mature (“perfect”).  He wants to use his apostolic authority to build them up.  He wants to find the church in order when he comes.

“Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.  All the saints send their greetings. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all” (13:11-14).

Paul concludes affectionately—“brothers”.  “Good-by” (Greek, chairete) may also be translated “rejoice.”  What follows are four staccato-like exhortations which summarize four of Paul’s points in the letter, all referring to the church as community.  The consequence of their obedience with be an enjoyment of God’s presence.

The “holy kiss” would normally be reserved for family.  Thus Paul urges them to express the unity he urges.  The mention of “All the saints” reminds the Corinthians unity transcends their local situation; they are part of something greater than themselves.

The benediction is beautiful, also interesting.  They’ve already experienced Christ’s grace, God’s love and the Spirit’s fellowship.  What exactly, then, is Paul wishing for them?  That they may continue in those blessings by responding to Paul’s admonitions.

So Paul is finished.  Hopefully, his words will move the Corinthians to properly prepare for his visit.  But we don’t know; Scripture says no more about Paul and the Corinthians.

However, the letter of “First Clement”, an extra-biblical document written to the Corinthian church some time between 80 and 140 A.D.  describes a flourishing church after a half-century of historical silence.  Clement mentions especially their faith, piety, hospitality and knowledge.

Why the dramatic change between the turbulent church of Paul’s day and the “golden age” Clement describes?  Davin Peterlin, pro-rector and academic dean at International Baptist Theological Seminary in the Czech Republic, published the following answer in “The Asbury Theological Journal”, in the Fall of 1998 . . .

“We do not know unless we accept the most obvious explanation:  that the believers took seriously Paul’s words, written or spoken, and turned unreservedly to God for forgiveness, support, and strength . . . [Paul] visited [Corinth] after the Roman imprisonment . . . In the period that followed, the differences that had troubled the church largely vanished.  The various groups within the congregation . . .lived together in harmony. The church enjoyed long and undisturbed peace. The believers cared for each other and forgave each others’ mistakes and sins. They were content with whatever gift God gave them and in turn God chose to bless them even more richly.”

Nobody writes letters anymore.  So I expect someone to publish a texting version of the Bible soon.  You know, all lower-case, unorthodox abbreviations and just the bare bones of the 66 books.  2 Corinthians might end with just “see ya” or “later”.

But not in Paul’s version . . .

I’M NOT INFERIOR!

Why would Paul write that?  Because the visiting “super-apostles” claim he is.

I have made a fool of myself, but you drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, for I am not in the least inferior to the “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing (12:11).

Paul continues his “foolish” boasting begun in 11:1 (theoldpreacher.com/plain-foolishness/).  Sam Storms (Pastor, Bridgeway Church, Oklahoma City) well-understands Paul to be saying this . . .

“You have driven me to indulge in what I find detestable. The fact is, I should never have been forced to speak up for myself. You have all the evidence you need to speak commendably on my behalf. I established the church in Corinth. I trained you in spiritual truths. I set an example for you of Christ-like humility and sacrifice. Where have I failed you? Notwithstanding all this, when the interlopers came strutting into Corinth, maligning my character and undermining my authority, you not only kept your mouths shut, you actually agreed with them!”

Corinth is a troubled and troubling church, though not surprisingly.  Corinth is a rebuilt city after war-time destruction, now only 80 years old.  Soldiers and former slaves (“freedmen”) populate it.  Pagan deities rule it.  Immorality corrupts it.  Skilled rhetoricians enthrall it.  Power-demonstrations captivate it.  The newly-planted church divides over its favorite preachers.  And “super-apostles” call Paul a fraud because of his sufferings.  So in the letter’s end, he defends himself.

The things that mark an apostle– signs, wonders and miracles– were done among you with great perseverance (12:12).

Paul insists the Corinthians should have recognized him as a true apostle because of what they’ve seen in him.  And they never should have felt inferior to other churches because he didn’t accept their financial support.

How were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was never a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong! (12:13).

Paul sarcastically admits he fell short of true apostleship by not taking their money!  “Forgive me for this wrong!”

I WANT YOU, NOT YOUR MONEY!

Now I am ready to visit you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.  So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well. If I love you more, will you love me less? Be that as it may, I have not been a burden to you. Yet, crafty fellow that I am, I caught you by trickery! Did I exploit you through any of the men I sent you?  I urged Titus to go to you and I sent our brother with him. Titus did not exploit you, did he? Did we not act in the same spirit and follow the same course? (12:14-18).

Paul refuses to burden them.  As a father spends everything he has and expends himself for his children, so Paul gives himself to preach the gospel to the Corinthians.  They’re his “children” in the Lord.  Titus, whom Paul sent to deliver the “grievous” letter and to re-start their collection for the poor, similarly refused to take advantage of them.

I’M NOT REALLY DEFENDING MYSELF!

“Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? We have been speaking in the sight of God as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening.  For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.  I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged” (12:19-21).

Do the Corinthians presume Paul is defending himself?  He assures them that he speaks of himself ultimately for their sake.  He doesn’t want them misled from Christ by the “super-apostles”.  And God bears witness to his word.

His third visit to them, though, looms.  It causes him anxiety.  Unrepented sexual sins remain in the church.  In view of Paul’s disciplinary letter (the “lost” one), all kinds of reactionary talk may break loose.  And this may humiliate Paul, the “father” of these Corinthian “children.”

D.A. Carson (theologian and New Testament professor Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) comments:

“Not for [Paul] the haughty sternness of egocentric leaders who can with dry eyes and a high hand discipline members ensnared by sin. Paul is too much aware of the intertwining of responsibilities in the body of Christ. He cannot even distance himself entirely from their sin. He himself feels humbled in the face of it, just as a father feels humbled by his son’s rebellion.”

* * *

I’m amazed at Paul’s patient perseverance!  Over my years of pastoring, some people rejected me.  As much as it depended on me, I tried to make those partings peaceful.  But always my attitude was, “If you don’t want my ministry any more, so be it.”  Never once (that I can remember) did I try to persuade them to stay for fear of false teaching elsewhere.  Did I just presume the Lord would take care of them?  Did I count on their finding one of the “good” churches in the area?  Was I even relieved to see them go under the circumstances?

Peaceful partings depend on members too.  Instead of discussing the problem with the pastor, too often (even with the best intentions) they spread their discontent to other members.  Now four have a problem with the pastor.  Go to the pastor!  Even if the decision’s already made to leave the church, go to the pastor and at least part in peace.  (On the other hand, talking may produce a solution!)

In a country with a church on every corner, a member leaving the one I pastor doesn’t mean he’ll be church-less.  But it may mean he’ll not be getting the whole truth of God’s Word.  Somehow we’ve got to find a way to do rejection better.  More patience.  More love.  More tongue-control.  And more concern for the well-being of the leaving member.  And for the church.  For everyone’s sake.  Including Christ’s.

“As the heavens are exalted above the earth, so my ways are superior to your ways and my thoughts to your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9, my translation).

Few passages portray that truth more than 2 Corinthians 12:1-10.  And few discomfort me more with personal application.

THE VISION

“I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know– God knows. And I know that this man– whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows–was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell. I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses.  Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say” (12:1-6).

Paul began boasting in 11:1, driven to it by his opponents’ boasting which was misleading the Corinthians from Christ.  He continues here, although visions don’t authenticate apostleship.  “I know a man in Christ”—Paul refers to himself in the third person to refrain from the proud “I was caught up . . . “

It happened in the early 40’s, perhaps while he preached at Tarsus (Acts 9:30), prior to his first missionary journey.  His vision was so powerful he couldn’t tell if he was “in the body or apart from the body”.  Nor was he “permitted to tell” about the “inexpressible things” he heard.  The “third heaven” and “paradise” are synonymous.  Calvin thought the term symbolic, referring to the highest and most perfect place.  But many in Paul’s day viewed the “first” heaven as the realm of the clouds, the “second” as the realm of the heavenly lights and the “third” as the realm where God dwells.

“Paradise” in Scripture refers to the Garden of Eden (in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament), to the place where Jesus told the dying thief he would be with him that day (Luke 23:43), and to the place where the overcomer will eat from the tree of life (Revelation 2:7).  Paul, apparently, was “raptured” to that heavenly paradise (the original word probably Persian meaning “pleasure-park”).

Thus Paul “out-visioned” the “super-apostles” and perhaps dropped a few jaws of the Corinthians who extolled spiritual experiences.  But Paul “plays down” his vision because he didn’t want anyone to think more highly of him than what they could actually see in his life and message.

THE THORN

“To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.  Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.  But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on (dwell in) me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (12:7-10).

Paul remarkably admits the extraordinary greatness of these revelations could have led to conceit.  So, “there was given me a thorn in my flesh . . . “  By whom?  Certainly not Satan, who would have celebrated Paul’s conceit.  Our only other option is the Lord.

Paul calls the thorn “a messenger of Satan”.  As with Job, the Lord used Satan for his purposes (Job 1:6-2:8).  He came to “torment” Paul.  The Greek kolaphizo literally means “to beat with a fist” or to “buffet” like hurricane-force gusts of wind.

“Three times” Paul begged the Lord “to take it away”—three times perhaps referring to three bouts with the thorn.  But what was it?  Everything from some sort of eye disease (Galatians 4:15) to mental depression.  Paul, though, doesn’t identify it, so we can assume its nature is unimportant.

Paul implies he was right to pray for healing—until he received revelation to the contrary.

“My grace is enough for you,
for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

I set the sentence that way to show the parallelism between “grace” and “power”.  The Lord’s grace is the Lord’s power; the Lord’s power is the Lord’s grace.  To put it another way, grace isn’t only undeserved favor; it is also undeserved power.

C.K. Barrett explains “made perfect”:  “a scene of human weakness is the best possible stage for the display of divine power” (The Second Epistle to the Corinthians, p. 317).

Therefore Paul says he will be more than happy to stop begging for deliverance and to boast about his weaknesses “so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”  “Rest on” is literally “dwell in” like the Lord’s glory in the Old Testament tabernacle or in the “Word made flesh” (John 1:14).

Paul lives for Christ.  Thus he is well-pleased for Christ’s sake (that is, that Christ’s power might be seen) with “weaknesses, hardships, persecutions, difficulties.”  Furthermore, he is well-pleased with these afflictions, because when he is weak (in himself) then he is strong (in Christ’s power resting on him).

 THE UNCOMFORTABLE APPLICATION

I’ve prayed repeatedly for the Lord to heal me of Primary Lateral Sclerosis, at least to remove a couple symptoms.  So far, nothing.  Often I “hear”, “My grace is sufficient for you”.  Is the Lord telling me what he told Paul?  Or am I just recalling a familiar promise?  I don’t know how to tell.

Another question:  how do I boast of my weaknesses?  Not by citing how many people read my blog, but by listing my PLS symptoms.  Wheelchair-bound.  Swelling, aching feet.  Overall bodily weakness.  (Enough already!)

Here’s the uncomfortable part.  In this condition I have to be seen delighting in these weaknesses, trusting the Lord that his power is at work for his purposes.  That’s not natural!  It’s also impossible.  I can’t do it however hard I try.  At best, my “delight” is momentary.  You’d better look quick to see Christ in me!

So that brings me full circle.  In order to have authentic delight in my weaknesses—delight that reveals The Lord’s grace resting on me—I need the Lord’s grace.  And that means day by day—even hour by hour—I must earnestly ask for grace, even while I’m pleading for the Lord to take my PLS away.

Ever find words escaping your mouth instigated by some moron picking on you?  That’s Paul in this section of his letter (2 Corinthians 11:1-33), only his unexpected words were Holy Spirit-inspired.

THE STAKES:  A DIFFERENT JESUS

“I hope you will put up with a little of my foolishness; but you are already doing that.  I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him.  But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.  For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough” (11:1-4).

Paul’s doesn’t boast to defend his reputation.  Rather, like a father who wants his daughter pure for marriage, Paul has promised the Corinthians to Christ, their “husband”.  But he’s afraid they’re replaying Eve–“ . . . just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” 

FOOLISH BOAST: “I’M NOT INFERIOR TO THE ‘SUPER APOSTLES’”

“But I do not think I am in the least inferior to those “super-apostles.”  I may not be a trained speaker, but I do have knowledge. We have made this perfectly clear to you in every way. Was it a sin for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God to you free of charge?  I robbed other churches by receiving support from them so as to serve you.  And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so.  As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, nobody in the regions of Achaia will stop this boasting of mine.  Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!” (11:5-11).

Greek culture esteemed eloquent speakers.  Paul wasn’t.  Furthermore, no speaker worth listening to preached free.  He accepted support from the Macedonian churches (his enemies may have called it “robbery”) so as not to burden the Corinthians.  Preaching freely to the Corinthians is his ongoing love-boast before God.

MASQUERADING AS CHRIST’S APOSTLES

“And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve” (11:12-15).

Paul’s opponents argued they preached in Corinth on the same terms as he did.  But, as long as Paul didn’t accept money, they had no ground to stand on.  Therefore, Paul openly charges that Christ hasn’t commissioned them.  They work to mislead their hearers, disguising themselves as Christ’s apostles.  Like Satan, whom they serve, they “masquerade as servants of righteousness.”  They’ll suffer the deserved fate in the end.

Paul’s indictment is obviously strong.  What are these men teaching that evoked such judgment?  Almost certainly some sort of lawkeeping-for-righteousness, which is probably one reason why Paul claimed Christ’s New Covenant-glory far outshone that of the Old (3:7-11).  When they preached Old Covenant they dishonored the sufficiency of Christ.

BOASTING LIKE A FOOL

“I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool. But if you do, then receive me just as you would a fool, so that I may do a little boasting. In this self-confident boasting I am not talking as the Lord would, but as a fool.  Since many are boasting in the way the world does, I too will boast.  You gladly put up with fools since you are so wise!  In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or pushes himself forward or slaps you in the face.  To my shame I admit that we were too weak for that! What anyone else dares to boast about– I am speaking as a fool– I also dare to boast about.  Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I.  Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again.  Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.  Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea,  I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers.  I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.  Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.  Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?” (11:16-30).

Paul says he will boast the way his opponents do. His next words drip with uncharacteristic sarcasm:  “I know how happy you are to put up with fools, being so wise yourselves; and how you will still go on putting up with a man who enslaves you, eats up all you possess, keeps you under his orders and sets himself above you, or even slaps you in the face” (NLT).

He goes on to boast of how hard he works, how much he suffers to preach the gospel and how much he feels the pain of others.  What he endures is almost beyond belief.  Either Paul is lying or divinely called.

BOASTING OF WEAKNESS

“If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying. In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me. But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands” (11:30-33).

“ . . . lowered in a basket” is the ultimate indignity, the escape-route of a common criminal.  Why include this?  Paul is boasting “of the things that show my weakness.”  Yes his foregoing list reveals his hard work and his suffering.  But it shows his weakness.  Beatings, shipwrecks, in danger and all the rest isn’t the picture of a man supernaturally immune from suffering.  He’s weak.  And only God’s grace in the person of the Holy Spirit enabled him to press on.  Like Jesus Christ, his Lord, Paul suffered to bring the life-saving gospel to lost sinners.

* * *

Were Paul or any of the Lord’s other apostles alive today would we recognize them as apostles?  Would they measure up to 21st century Western world expectations?    Would their weaknesses repel us?  Would we crave instead camera-pleasing men who could captivate us with a turn of the tongue?  Or would we see Jesus in their sufferings?  Would their scars remind us of him?

And would their hardships endured to get us the gospel remind us of its worth and confirm their authenticity?  Would we say, “If he suffered so much to preach the gospel in Christ’s name, he must be divinely sent and it must be true?”  Or would we say, “If this gospel might make me look like a loser in the world I want no part of it”?

See if this song shows the right perspective . . .

Everyone needs approval, applause even.  But from whom?

Paul’s “severe letter” (lost to us) moved the Corinthians to repent of allowing the so-called “super apostles” visiting Corinth to disdain Paul (7:7).  But they were still in Corinth, their anti-Paul rhetoric still demeaning Paul and his gospel.

“Now I, Paul, plead with you. I plead with the gentleness and kindness that Christ himself would use, even though some of you say I am bold in my letters but timid in person. I hope it won’t be necessary, but when I come I may have to be very bold with those who think we act from purely human motives” (2 Corinthians 10:1,2, New Living Translation).

Paul refuses to hit them with apostolic commands.  Instead, he appeals to the Corinthian church, not with the authority of the risen Christ, but “with the gentleness and kindness that Christ himself would use”.  This is his ministry model.

His detractors say he’s bold in writing, timid in person.  But he’s ready, if need be, to be bold in the face of those who think his motives are just like the rest of the world (literally, “according to the flesh/according to the sinful nature”).

We are human (literally, “in the flesh”) but we don’t wage war (“soldier, fight”) with human plans and methods (“according to the flesh” or “sinful nature”). We use God’s mighty weapons (“our weapons are divinely powerful”), not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil’s strongholds (literally, “for the pulling down of strongholds”. With these weapons we break down every proud argument that keeps people from knowing God. With these weapons we conquer their rebellious ideas, and we teach them to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5, New Living Translation).

D.A. Carson, (theologian and research professor  of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) observes . . .

“Worldly weapons in this context are the kinds of tools of the trade relished by the intruders: human ingenuity, rhetoric, showmanship, a certain splashiness and forwardness in spiritual pretensions, charm, powerful personal charisma. Such weapons they will not find in Paul’s arsenal, so they think him inferior; but Paul responds by openly disavowing such weapons. He would not want to defend himself on that score, for his weapons are of an entirely different sort. They are spiritual weapons, and they are divinely powerful (or powerful in God’s perspective or for his service).”

Paul’s weapons, then, must be the gospel of Jesus Christ, truth, righteousness, humility, etc.  These are the weapons Paul uses to fight a spiritual battle, to “demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (ESV).

The NLT interprets “strongholds” to be the “Devil’s”.  But Carson says that these “strongholds” are “the way people think, their sinful thought patterns, the mental structures by which they live their lives in rebellion against God.”

And Sam Storms (Pastor, Bridgeway Church, Oklahoma City) interprets “every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God” (NASB) to mean “every arrogant claim, every haughty or prideful thought, every pompous act that forms a barrier to the knowledge of God; i.e. every argument used to rationalize sin and unbelief and delay repentance.”

Paul proclaims that  his weapons conquer all this.

“And we will punish those who remained disobedient after the rest of you became loyal and obedient. The trouble with you is that you make your decisions on the basis of appearance. You must recognize that we belong to Christ just as much as those who proudly declare that they belong to Christ “ (2 Corinthians 10:6,7, New Living Translation).

“Punish” seems a strong word for the apostle who is pleading with “the gentleness and kindness that Christ himself would use”.  However, here he is probably warning the Corinthians who are still adamantly insisting that Paul is “walking according to the flesh.”  “Those who proudly declare that they belong to Christ” are probably proclaiming to have a special relationship with Christ (spurred on by the “super apostles”?) that Paul doesn’t have.   Moreover, Paul charges they are judging “on the basis of appearance”—Paul literally falling short in that category.  However, Paul argues, “ . . . we belong to Christ . . . ”

“I may seem to be boasting too much about the authority given to us by the Lord. But this authority is to build you up, not to tear you down. And I will not be put to shame by having my work among you destroyed. Now this is not just an attempt to frighten you by my letters. For some say, “Don’t worry about Paul. His letters are demanding and forceful, but in person he is weak, and his speeches are really bad!” The ones who say this must realize that we will be just as demanding and forceful in person as we are in our letters.  Oh, don’t worry; I wouldn’t dare say that I am as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, and measuring themselves by themselves. What foolishness!” (2 Corinthians 10:8-12, New Living Translation).

Paul admits he may sound boastful about his authority; but he’ll not be ashamed of it.  The Lord authorized him to build up the church and he won’t let his work be destroyed no matter what!  He’s not trying to frighten them by his bold letters.  But let it be known:  when he comes he’ll be just as bold in person!

Paul mocks the “super apostles” who are demeaning him.  They make their own behavior the standard, then tell each other how wonderful they are!  They’re nothing but fools.

“But we will not boast of authority we do not have. Our goal is to stay within the boundaries of God’s plan for us, and this plan includes our working there with you.  We are not going too far when we claim authority over you, for we were the first to travel all the way to you with the Good News of Christ.  Nor do we claim credit for the work someone else has done. Instead, we hope that your faith will grow and that our work among you will be greatly enlarged.  Then we will be able to go and preach the Good News in other places that are far beyond you, where no one else is working. Then there will be no question about being in someone else’s territory.  As the Scriptures say, “The person who wishes to boast should boast only of what the Lord has done.”  When people boast about themselves, it doesn’t count for much. But when the Lord commends someone, that’s different!” (2 Corinthians 10:13-18).

In answer to his detractors, Paul will boast, but only about the work God has assigned to him.  He had brought the gospel of Christ all the way to Corinth.  Now believers existed together where before there were none.  He claims credit for his work, no one else’s (an obvious dig at the “super apostles”).  His wish is that the Corinthians will become a firm base from which he can take the gospel to others who’ve not heard.  Through it all, his boast is not in himself, but in what the Lord has done through him.  The ESV translation of 10:18 fittingly concludes Paul’s thought:  “For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.”

Paul makes it glaringly clear:  he’s not living for people’s approval; he doesn’t care to gain their applause.  He is living for the Lord.  He has, in other words, an audience of One.

* * *

Our take-away is this simple question . . .

For whose applause are we living?

Paul’s teaching in this chapter about giving money is simply profound.  Let’s start though with a. . .

REVIEW:  THE OCCASION

When the Corinthians allowed visiting “super apostles” to belittle Paul, Paul made a surprise visit to resolve matters.  It went badly.  He retreated to Ephesus.  From there he wrote a letter to rebuke the Corinthians, sending it by Titus’ hand.  When Paul met Titus in Macedonia, Titus reported the good news of the Corinthians’ repentance, but the bad news that they had stopped setting aside money for the collection Paul would take  to the poor Jerusalem church.  Consequently, Paul wrote 2 Corinthians 8 & 9 to persuade the Corinthians to finish what they’d started.

SHAME ON YOU AND ME?

“There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the saints. “For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be.  For if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we– not to say anything about you– would be ashamed of having been so confident.  So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given” (9:1-5).

Paul admits it’s superfluous for him to write about serving the people God in Christ has set apart to himself.  But he writes anyway, warning  the Corinthians that he and they will be ashamed if they don’t take their part in “the collection”, especially since Paul has boasted of their eagerness.  Yet he doesn’t want them to give begrudgingly.  Let it be a gift freely given.

So should our giving be.  Make it a generous, gracious gift whether we’re giving our “regular” Sunday offering or to missionaries or to a needy Christian family.  Give as prosperity has been graciously given to us.

SOWING AND REAPING

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.  As it is written: “He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”  Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.  You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God” (9:6-11).

Paul applies an agricultural principle to money-gifts:  “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”

Paul may also have in mind Scriptures like these . . .

“One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.  A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:24,25).

“A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor” (Proverbs 22:9).

This sheds a different light on “the collection”.  For the sake of space, let’s just apply this to us.  When we give our money, we’re not just giving money away;  we’re sowing for a harvest.  And how we give (not what) determines to some extent how generous will be our reaping.  “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give (this is less a matter of bookkeeping and more a matter of heart-giving) not reluctantly or under compulsion (don’t give gritting your teeth or feeling “under the gun”), for God loves a cheerful giver (Smile, you’re on God’s camera!).

Here’s the question, Paul:  what exactly will we reap?  I see two “harvests”.  Paul identifies both in the following promises . . .

“God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work . . . Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.  You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”

Harvest #1:  Generous givers will reap a harvest of grace in the form of money and possessions.  I’m aware many commentators and pastors spiritualize this promise or reserve the reaping until heaven.  No way!  Paul specifically says, “ . . . having all you need” and God “will supply and increase your store of seed”.  That, however, isn’t a promise to build our bank accounts . . .

Harvest #2:  Generous givers will be graced so they can “abound in every good work”, thus spreading their righteousness to others, resulting in thanksgiving to God.  In other words, God will give givers more to give more—and he will be praised.

PRAISE TO GOD

“This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.  And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (9:12-15).

Paul has now come full circle.  God supplies the Corinthians’ and our needs—and more so we can generously give to others with less.  When we generously give, our service meets the material needs of God’s people.  But more:  many expressions of thanks to God overflow.  Giving begins with God and ends with praise to God as God’s people give.

Paul can’t help but burst out in praise: “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” But, we ask, “What is God’s indescribable gift?”  Is it the grace of God that abounds to the generous giver so he might give more?  Or is it God’s gracious gift of Jesus who took on poverty to make us rich?  The answer is YES!  BOTH!

Money is loved.  Lusted after.  Fought over.  But given to others for God’s purposes in Christ, money becomes a means of worship.  So let’s not “pay tithes” or “take a collection” or even “give an offering”.

When the plate passes, let’s joyfully, generously worship God who has given his indescribable gift of grace!

I don’t want to drag out this “money-talk.”  So let’s finish off 2 Corinthians 8 in one gulp, but with serious thought about the two topics here.  The second is rather basic, though too often ignored.  The first is a bit challenging for us today, unlike Paul’s 1st century.

EQUALITY

“Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: ‘He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little’” (8:13-15).

Paul is explaining further that “the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have” (8:12).  That is, having given the Macedonian churches as a model of an overflowing wealth of generosity, he doesn’t want them to think their gift won’t count if they don’t match it. Rather, his desire is that the currently better-off Corinthian church share with the worse-off Jerusalem church.  In one word, he wants “equality”. 

The Greek word is isotays—“equality as a matter of fairness.”  Raise some eyebrows. no?  Is this Barack Obama’s “distribute the wealth”?  Maybe even socialism?  Not really, but only in the sense that Obama and socialism are permanent policies, while Paul’s was occasional generosity.  He envisions a time when circumstances may be reversed.  He’s not advocating a new economic policy; he’s  solving a “momentary” problem.

Paul illustrates by quoting Exodus 16:18 (from the Septuagint–the Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament).  There a miraculous equalization of manna occurred; here Paul means giving should result in an equal supply.

Does the equality-principle apply to us?  In a loose sense when we give our Sunday offering it does.  Sure the money mostly goes to pay salaries and building expenses.  But we hope more people will hear the gospel through our church, and so more of “equality of the gospel” will result.  That certainly holds true in our missionary giving and when we give an offering to help a member in financial need.

But the media show us the world.  We see homeless, hungry and nearly naked people in Africa, for example.  Some are our brothers and sisters in Christ.  How does the “equality principle” work here?   Given the magnitude of the problem, should we even try to give offerings toward “the equality of fairness”?  Those are questions we shouldn’t lightly dismiss.

HONORABLE MEN

Paul’s credibility has already suffered. because he’s refused financial support from the Corinthians.  We’d think that noble.  But, since itinerant preachers and skilled orators always asked for money, the Corinthians thought Paul “unprofessional” or even unscrupulous–especially now that he’s organizing a collection.  Those suspicions, of course, are fueled by the “super apostles” intent on discrediting Paul and his gospel.  So Paul is “taking pains to do what is right” and “avoid any criticism” . . .

“I thank God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative. And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel. What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help. We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift.  For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men. In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you.  As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ. Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it” (8:16-24).

Even though this is “money-handling 101”, a few comments are in order.  One, Paul is assembling a team of known, respected men to carry the collection.  Titus we know, but not “the brother who is praised by all the churches.”  Maybe Barnabas or Silas or Timothy or Luke or Apollos?  With those two are “representatives of the churches” who give toward the collection.

Clearly, Paul is “taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men.”

So must we.  Fraud or simply poor money-management have ruined many ministries and dishonored the name of the Lord.

Here are a few “duh, yeah” thoughts.  Local churches must be transparent about finances.  Elders should present a budget, which members vote to approve.  Members should meet at least annually to receive a report about how their offerings are actually being used.  Basic stuff–though I’ve read of churches that don’t do even that, and I’m shocked.

* * *

I’ll finish today with Jesus’ words to his disciples (us).  They nicely tie together Paul’s words and call for our prayerful thinking . . .

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.
Sell your possessions and give to the poor.
Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out,
a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted,
where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”
(Luke 12:32-34).

Paul’s instructions to the 1st century Corinthian church about “the collection” provide principles for our giving today.

Not a popular subject, I know.  But, hey, blame Paul.

I’m assuming that we  give money to our local church.  Further, I’m assuming many of us can give more generously than we do.  “I say this not as a command, but to prove . . . that your love . . . is genuine” (8:8). 

That appeal to genuine love deserves a comment.  Paul, of course, is collecting money from Gentile Christian churches for the poor Jewish Christian church in Jerusalem.  Rightly, then, he thinks of the Corinthians’ giving as an act of love.

The majority of our giving pays salaries and building expenses.  Only by a stretch can we think of that giving as an act of love–but maybe not quite as long a stretch as we might suppose.  This raises another issue to be briefly noted:  local church leaders must be responsible not to overburden the church with skyrocketing expenses.  There’s a fine line between urging the church to be more generous and presuming the Lord will bless foolishness.

We have none of that here, though.  This is a specific human need from which we are drawing general principles of giving.  Here’s today’s text . . .

“Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. But as you excel in everything–in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you–see that you excel in this act of grace also.  I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine.  For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.  And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it.  So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have.  For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have” (2 Corinthians 8:6-12).

In 8:1-5 Paul cited the poor Macedonian churches as models of an overflowing wealth of generosity. Now he applies it to the Corinthians.

Apparently, responding to 1 Corinthians 16:1-4, the church had started to save up money for the collection; but they had stalled. Why we’re not told.  Gradual loss of enthusiasm?  Mistrust of Paul planted by the “super apostles”?  In any case Paul had sent Titus to Corinth (bearing the harsh, “lost” letter).  Now he wants him to get “this act of grace” completed.

For Paul, giving isn’t a matter of law or even command.  It’s an act of grace—that is, an act of generosity inspired by the Holy Spirit for the good of others.  It’s also (as we’ve seen) an opportunity to prove the authenticity of the Corinthians’ love.

Here, then, are two principles for us.  One, our giving isn’t a matter of law (“I tithe!”) but of grace (which isn’t measured by percentage but by generosity).  Two, our giving should prove our love.  Do we love God?  Our church?  Our missionaries or at least their mission and the lost they try to reach?  Our giving evidences (or not) that love.

Interesting (and maybe uncomfortably) Paul notes that the Corinthians excelled in the graces of miracle-working faith, inspired utterances and theological knowledge.  Paul urges them to “excel in this act of grace (that is, giving) also.”  And by linking giving with those other graces he makes giving just as important and just as much a sign of the Spirit’s presence.

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich”.  By starting this sentence with “For”, Paul is explaining why giving is an act of grace.

Our Lord Jesus Christ was “rich” in heavenly glory being the eternal second person of the Trinity.  Yet he “became poor” for our sake.  That is, he became a mere human, a servant of humans, and a bearer of humans’ sin to the death as their sacrifice.  “ . . . so that you by his poverty might become rich”—rich in righteousness, rich in relationship with God, rich in the graces of God and rich in new creation life.

Here, then, is another giving-principle for us:  the Lord Jesus Christ is our model for giving.  Not the guy who got a hundred-fold back on his gift.  Not the guy who manages millions while giving to the poor.  The Lord Jesus Christ who left his “riches” to become “poor”.

Paul offers his counsel.  (“Judgment is another translation for the Greek gnomay, but perhaps too strong for the context. Paul is advising, not rendering a legal decision.)  To finish what they started a year earlier (and desired to) is to their advantage.  God will be pleased with their faithfulness.  Not that they need match the overflowing gift of the Macedonians:  they must give according to what they have.  Proportional giving.

A January sermon on giving stirs us; we determine we’ll give $20 more each week.  And we do.  But by March our enthusiasm wanes.  Summer’s coming, and we could use that money for vacation.  We’ve broken no commandment.  We just don’t follow through.  Like the Corinthians.  Commitment called for.

* * *

The Corinthians, as we’ve seen, were enamored with the works of the Spirit.  So when Paul links giving with Spirit “graces” like faith, speech, knowledge and love, we should sit up and take notice.  He’s implying that giving is as “spiritual” as mountain-moving faith, inspired speech, divine knowledge and godly love.

As with any other spiritual gift, we have to act on it.  This is why Paul urges the church to excel in this grace.  What might move us to do that?  One, prayer for the gift of giving.  (That sounds weird, especially when we’re naturally inclined to pray to receive!).

Two, a mental picture of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He was rich in heavenly glory.  Yet for our sake he became poor, not only by becoming human, but by becoming sin for us.  And he did it, so that we through his poverty might become rich with wealth the world’s economy knows nothing of.

How could we not give generously with his image in our mind and his Spirit working in our heart!