Good morning! What a great surprise at lunch yesterday! Thanks for coming Cathy and Cindy and Clara and Donna...Jack and Rhea we missed you!! I really enjoyed meeting our small group. Maybe we should try again!
And the ice cream social was a success! Yesterday was a good day!
Thanks for your support!
This chapter before us presents some interesting words and commentary from Paul. Again, he is defending his apostleship and authority. He believes that this defense is a waste of his time ("foolishness" or in some translations "folly") and he could be doing other ministry (v 1)- but instead has to defended who he is to the Corinthians. In his analogy, he works with wedding commitments. In early Jewish heritage, the wedding was a holy and sacred event and was one of the most important rituals in the church. In this analogy, the "chaste virgin" is Corinth, God/Jesus is the bridegroom, and Paul is acting as the "friend of the bridegroom". The role of this friend was to be in constant watch of the bride-to-be so that the bridegroom could be ensured that she was a virgin and that she was pure. Paul was hoping and wishing that the Corinthians were like that bride- pure and holy and chaste- but Paul fears that they have been led astray and are not as pure as the could be (vv 2-4). Paul believes that Satan ("the serpent that deceived Eve") is active in Corinth; he believes that their faith is faltering and they are moving away from God. The Corinthians are not the virgin that the bridegroom desired! Imagine hearing those words about you!
Paul compares himself to the other "apostles" that have been in Corinth teaching and preaching (vv 5-6). He states that he may not be the best- but he certainly isn't the worst! He may not be the best speaker- but he is teaching a true message (unlike the "others"). Paul wasn't as polished as the better speakers- but his message was from the hear (sounds kind of like me!). One issue that the people took up with him was his lack of a "speaker's fee" that the "other" apostles charged. It was common for someone to come to town, charge a fee, and then start their oratory. Paul didn't do that, so the people thought less of him and even regarded it as a sin (v 7)! Paul comments that he "robbed" other churches to come to Corinth (v 8). Robbed is a strong word; what he meant was that since he didn't charge the Corinthians, it was as if he robbed the other churches by using their money for his support in Corinth. He did not rely on the Corinthians for any support and used monies he obtained in Macedonia (oh those Macedonian churches again!).
Regardless of what the Corinthians say, he will continue to preach and teach in their towns. He truly loves them (v 11) and that love will be expressed through his words of the gospel. He will continue to do his teachings, directly calling out the false teachers and commenting that they are almost no better than Satan (v 14)! Harsh words for a man of God!
One can sense Paul's sarcasm and hesitancy in promoting himself as a true apostle of Christ. He would rather talk about Christ, but that message has been hindered by the Corinthians lack of respect and trust (vv 16-17). If they put up with the "fools" (v 19), then they should be able to easily listen to Paul then! Paul continues to slam the "false apostles" by going through their heritage and saying he is exactly like them (vv 22- 23). Then he points out how he has suffered (vv 23- 28) for the gospel- and they didn't. He comments that that is the biggest difference between a true apostle and a false apostle. A true apostle is willing to suffer for the gospel and a false apostle won't. Which are we?
This entire chapter was devoted to Paul proving that he was a true apostle, one with authority from God. I wonder how he felt having to defend himself. I really do not enjoy having to defend myself against critics; I am not a fan of "proving" my credentials, but it has happened. How do you feel having to "promote" yourself? I sense Paul's frustration. He has gone through this defense before and now has to defend himself again! Why didn't he just give up on the Corinthians? Would we have given up? Obviously Paul felt they were worth fighting for!
Have a great weekend and enjoy the days of beauty we will have!
Shalom+
Pastor Paul
Oh...my....gosh - yesterday was so wonderful! I am so happy that I got to meet you in person, Cathy and Cindy, although I felt that I had always known you! Jack, I hope you are recovering from yesterday's procedure and that you will soon be back in perfect health! I read Chapters 10 and 11 today. It's almost as though someone else is writing them - or definitely a part of a different letter. I can almost feel Paul dwindling. Many of his letters that we read previous to this started out with Paul stating exactly who he was, that he was an apostle and how he became one -that everything he said came directly from God. Very bold in his assertions. These two chapters seem like he is almost timid in saying it and like he is....tired. He has said what he said in Chapters 10 and 11 (and this entire letter) so many times - especially to the Corinthians. When do you get tired of saying it and just give up? But Paul never does - would I? I would like to say I wouldn't BUT..... In previous letters we all kind of guessed what Paul went through but here he is very explicit about what he suffered. I'm not sure I would want to go through it twice - but he went through it at LEAST 8 times and still going strong. I agree that sometimes I am bolder? (if that's the right word) in written communication then verbal. And sometimes, I have to admit, I am immediately sorry after the words are written. But I see Paul's point, as he said earlier in this letter (if indeed it is the same letter), he has to be bold in order for them to think about what he is saying and what they are doing. In person you can be more mild because you are having a conversation and can refute accusations as they are said. Paul certainly was an unusual and unique man! One thing that this chapter makes me think about - Paul loves God, God loves His people, therefore, Paul loves all God's people. A weird hypothesis I know, but it would be so wonderful if we/I did the same. I love God, God loves ALL people, therefore I should love ALL people. I try to, but sometimes fail and sometimes judge (as discussed in yesterday's chapter).
ReplyDeleteEveryone have a great weekend!!
Paul feels the Corinth church is being led astray by the false preachers and he is asking them not to be so foolish to follow the wrong teachings. We are easily led astray just as Eve was led astray by the serpent(satan) of course Satan is always the one leading us astray no matter is whatever form he takes. This reminds me of all the different cults there are in this world that the people fall into and believe their leaders so much that they are even willing to die for them.(Jonestown, WW Higher Source, Heavens Gate, Branch Davidians to name some) We are like sheep That follow one another without the Shepherd to led us we go astray.
ReplyDeletePaul says he didn't ask anything of the church that he was funded by the Macedonians but came to Corinth because he loved them as God loved him and it was because of God's love that he loved them and wanted them to hear the good news and be saved.
Paul tells of all that he suffered to get the good news t them and that none of the other preachers had suffered what he had but that he would suffer whatever for them. For Paul to suffer what he did just to get the word of the good news to the people show his love of God and in return for the churches he served etc,
When you think about it, Paul’s life’s mission was to promote Christianity. This was his job. I wonder how people got jobs in those days. Did they have to apply for jobs and be chosen? Or did they just say I’m am a …. (Whatever they chose). Did they have to have credentials? Did they need an apprenticeship or done other form of training?
ReplyDeletePaul’s credentials include his suffering for the cause he chose to pursue.
I wonder how I would have felt as a Corinthian. I bet many people came to town with persuasive speech. Claiming to have all the answers. Considering the times, how would I know who to believe?
In vs 31 Paul says “The God and father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying.” But as a Corinthian, would I?
That's a good thought, Cathy, what would we have believed if we were a Corinthian. Especially since what Paul was saying was so new to them. I hope I would as well, but would I?
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