Good afternoon! Late start today...Sherri and I were processing some of our harvest from the last few days. Dill beans, zucchini relish, squash pickles, and a few other things. Busy morning and there is still more to process. Doing breaded patty pan squash later today for parmigiana this winter!! Tomatoes are lacking this year but other vegetables are doing well!
Thanks for all your comments and thoughts. Paul's writing is difficult to understand at times, but by your comments, I know that (for the most part) we are getting the ideas he is proposing. These last few chapters have been tough, and he continues today. The essence is that we need to be focused on God, not the worship/ religious leaders. They are there to plants the seeds and get things growing, but it is God that is in control of the growth. Sherri and I watched "Stargirl" on Disney+ this weekend. It is a story about a teenage boy, Leo, that falls in love with a teenage girl, Stargirl. Definitely a teen movie, coming of age type thing, but there are some deep philosophical points that are made- some very "preachable" moments. Anyway, one of the quotes Stargirl ( Grace VanderWaal) says is, "You plant a seed in the ground and a whole world develops and stretches out and opens up." I think it works for what Paul is saying- we can plant the seeds but God develops that seed into something great!
This chapter is focused on the apostles and disciples of Christ. People in Corinth tended to look down on Paul and the other apostles and they didn't really recognize the apostolic authority that they had. Paul, in this chapter, outlines the job of the apostles and how they should be treated, not as lesser people, but certainly not as elevated people either. They are servants of God, doing the work God has requested of them (v 1). They were selected by God as messengers based on their faith and goodness (v 2).
Although Paul is upset with the way he is judged by the Corinthians, he says it really doesn't matter- because God is the one that is approving or disapproving of Paul's work (v 3). That should be the same for us, right? It shouldn't matter what people say about us, it is God that we should be striving to please and do work for. Do we do work for God or for the approval of people? Paul even says he doesn't judge himself! That is hard to do. I am super critical of myself- especially when it comes to delivering the Sunday message. There are times when I say to myself as I drive home, "Well, that was a disaster!" But, someone (or a few) will send positive comments! Why are we so hard on ourselves? Look at Paul's former life, his persecution of the Christians, but he doesn't look at that; he looks at who he is now and how he is doing God's work.
Paul's hope is that the Corinthians will put biblical thinking into their standards for "excellence" rather than societal standards (v 6). People today judge pastors (right?!). I think we are especially being judged on our humor, dress, appearance, "marketing" skill rather than some of the more biblical ideas. The Christians of Corinth tended to have a higher view of themselves than of the non-Christians. Paul basically says you're really no different than others (both Christian and non). How do you view "non-Christians" or even other Christians? What we have is a gift from God- we shouldn't be proud of that, we should be grateful and thankful for that. We are not because of our accomplishments, but we are because of God's grace (v 7).
Paul gets a little snarky here in the next few verses, calling out the Corinthians for thinking thy are "all that and more"! He isn't doing it to hurt them, he is doing it to shake them a little and "knock some sense into them". "Well, well, you Corinthians are so great- you are all at the status of Kings, while us apostles are on the bottom of the barrel. We are like the losers at the coliseum, ready to be attacked by the lions because we are so lost" (vv 8-9). Paul continues to slam the Corinthians, drawing very sarcastic comparisons between the Corinthians and the apostles (vv 10-11). How do people view "apostles" (preachers) today?
Paul continues with a description of his ministry. Wondering where his next meal will come from, moving from town to town with no real home, potential for persecution and beatings, striving to make a living when they can (vv 11- 13). Ministry is a real cost. Is this the ministry today?
Paul issues a warning and challenge next. After hearing this, the Corinthians probably felt some shame as to how they were treating Paul and the other apostles. His comment is about pride and the effects of being too proud. Some clarification is needed next. The term "teacher" or "instructor" (v 15) comes from the word paidagogoi-- a guardian who escorted children to and from school (like a school bus driver); they had some authority over the children, but not like the rabbi or "father" had-- they were the primary educators. Paul is primary educator, selected by God. While we can take people to God, we don't have control over their life. We do like control though, don't we! Timothy is coming to help get the church back on the right tracks, and Paul tells the Corinthians that he is worthy of their respect and attention.
Paul next issues a challenge. Remember, Paul is in Ephesus writing this letter. Some people, the very proud, think that Paul is writing this letter because he is too afraid to come to Corinth (v 18). The more they believed that, the more proud they became! The more puffed out their chests were. Ahh, Paul says, but I am coming (v 19)! Paul is coming to "burst their bubble." Paul can come with a rod of correction or a heart of love- what do they want (v 21)? It has to be tough for Paul, how to confront sin without being to harsh- without looking like he is above sin; how to get people to focus on God and change their lives- without looking too judgmental. Have you found that balance in these situations?
This is some tough work, but with guidance from the Holy Spirit, it can be done.
Have a great day. Stay cool! Summer is back for a few days!
Shalom+
Pastor Paul
If I was a Corinthian, I'm not too sure that I would have felt too good about Paul coming to my town and being critical. After all, this was a long time after Jesus lived and who is this man who says he was called to set people on the straight and narrow. I bet a lot of people said that. A lot of people do today. Many people think that they have all the answers. I've heard many people say things about Covid that seem unbelievable to me. Some people think that getting the vaccine is about the government putting a tracking device in their arm so the govt can learn all their private information. I've heard that the vaccine is a hoax by pharmaceutical companies trying to get rich. It just goes on and on. And who do we believe. Should these Corinthians believe that Paul really is God's emissary? I'm sure there were lots of opinions.
ReplyDeleteI sometimes feel sorry for Timothy. I wonder what kind of personality he had. He was always the implementer, the one to bring the news to people who weren't always to glad to hear it. I think he had a difficult job but must have had great faith because he kept going out again and again. I would probably have said "go tell them yourself, you take the backlash". But Timothy seemed to have the guts to keep going.
Good point Cathy- how receptive were the Corinthians to Paul's letter? They were living their life just fine and then someone comes in and tries to correct them! I hear what you're saying!
DeleteIt must have been tough for Timothy!
Does make you wonder about the strength of their faith- they (Paul and Timothy among others) continued to do what they felt was right and good in the eyes of God. Do we have that same strength to continue on even if people are against us?
Good points Cathy!
Growing up I have to admit that my siblings and I were masters of sarcasm and irony, but we had nothing over Paul in this chapter. But Paul remains true to who is important and who is not. I do find it amazing that the Bible, Jesus, some of the apostles, preachers say we are all the same - none better then the other. But the words they use is that we are not better then the Lowly, then those living on the edge of society, then those different - aren't they funny adjectives when saying we are the same? Paul make his point very very well!!! I am sure he has their attention. But I agree, Cathy, it does seem like Timothy is the one that gets "sent in" when there is trouble!!!
ReplyDeletePaul really does let some snark go in this chapter doesn't he! Paul does seem quite judgmental in some of these statements he makes- which is against his philosophy. He does try to put things in perspective, but I imagine he had quite a bit of resistance in this city!
ReplyDeleteGood ideas Donna.