Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. - 1 Timothy 4:12
In last week’s message, Paul began a strong and lengthy defense of himself and his ministry. He clarified that the battle before him was not a physical one, but rather a spiritual one against Satan and his demonic forces. He declared that he wasn't weak, as many of his adversaries claimed, but rather meek and submissive to the Lord Jesus Christ. He also shared that he would only boast in the Lord and what he’d been given by God, and never boast in himself or in the work of others.
This morning, as we consider the first half of chapter 11, Paul’s apology continues. The Corinthian Christians had been told that Paul was a liar, a thief, and someone who only cared about himself. The church brazenly questioned and rejected Paul’s apostleship and credentials. In the face of their doubts and the ongoing barrage of slanderous comments being made about him, Paul offered his brilliant and inspired defense. Let’s go to the text…
I. NOT INFERIOR (2 Cor. 11:1-6)
Paul asked the Corinthians to bear with him in “a little foolishness”. He seemed somewhat uncomfortable talking about himself and didn’t want his words to come off as self-promotion. He didn’t speak like this very often, as evidenced by his other letters. Nevertheless, he had no other choice but to defend his character and his ministry. Those who disparaged him were disparaging the LORD also, and their deception couldn’t go unchallenged.
Paul likened the church to a woman that he’d introduced to a friend. He had personally presented the Corinthians to Christ, and they had become the Lord’s virgin bride. But now Paul feared that their minds would be led astray from pure and simple devotion to Christ, just as Satan misled Eve in the Garden of Eden so that she (and Adam) became estranged to God.
How might such a deception occur? Paul explained that if someone preached another Jesus besides the one he and his team had preached, or if they received another spirit besides the Holy Spirit, or accepted another gospel besides the true gospel, then they’d be in danger of falling into apostasy. Sadly, this seems to be exactly what happened.
Paul declared that he was not inferior - even in the slightest degree - to even the most imminent apostles, including Peter and John. He stood equal with them in authority and legitimacy. He certainly was not inferior to the charlatans who had infiltrated the Corinthian church! Though he conceded that he wasn’t a great speaker, still he excelled in the knowledge of God. This was something that should have been evident to the Corinthians, as they had witnessed Paul’s vast knowledge firsthand.
II. NOT RESTRAINED (2 Cor. 11:7-11)
Paul asked the Corinthians if he had sinned by humbling himself so that they might be exalted. To be precise, had he sinned by preaching the gospel to them without charge? When Paul first came to Corinth near the end of his second missionary journey and established the church there, he did not accept financial compensation from the Corinthians (Acts 18:1-5). Apparently, Paul’s accusers twisted his act of humility into a reason for questioning his office and authority, perhaps by arguing that distinguished apostles don’t work for free.
Paul explained that, during his initial visit to Corinth, he had received monetary support from other churches which allowed him not to place any financial burden on the Corinthians. He stated that when the brethren arrived from Macedonia - namely Silas and Timothy - they brought with them sufficient provision to supply his needs. The generosity of the Macedonian churches, and perhaps some other sources, funded Paul’s ministry and mission in Corinth.
After recalling how he’d preached the gospel to the Corinthians without payment from them, Paul then asserted that he would continue to do likewise. While exerting as little financial burden on the churches as possible, he would continue to proclaim the truth of Christ in regions beyond Achaia. Paul was a missionary - a church planter - who had been called by God to travel from place to place. Just because he wasn’t in Corinth all the time didn’t mean that he didn’t love them or care for their church. This was yet another false (and rather childish) allegation that had been made about him. On the contrary, he loved the Corinthians dearly, as God Himself would testify!
Notice that Paul was not overly concerned with making money. Nor was he naive in believing that a preacher’s value should be measured by how much money he is paid. Of course he needed his basic necessities taken care of, but beyond that Paul just wanted to tell as many people about Jesus as possible and establish strong Christian churches while not being a burden to them.
III. NOT DECEIVED (2 Cor. 11:12-15)
There was another reason Paul didn’t expect or demand wages from the churches in exchange for his work - to distinguish himself from those who did. Paul stated that if his opponents wanted to be regarded in the same manner that he was, they should follow his lead and not insist on being compensated for their services either! Of course, he knew that they wouldn’t do that.
Paul then described his adversaries as false apostles and deceitful workers who were disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. He reasoned that their behaviors were not a surprise, for even Satan misrepresents himself as an angel of light. In the same way, Satan’s servants - ie, these false teachers - disguised themselves as servants of righteousness. But Paul was not fooled, and confidently declared that these wolves in sheep's clothing would ultimately be exposed and judged for their lying words and deeds.
Beloved, the apostle Paul wasn’t afraid to call a spade a spade. He didn’t beat around the bush or shy away from confrontation. He addressed it directly or courageously. Can you imagine the flack that would befall a prominent Christian leader if they were to call another such person a servant of the Devil? Even though they might be right, as Paul was, many people would hate them for saying it.
CONCLUSION
As we close this morning, let me reiterate that Paul was a serious man with a serious mission. He was zealous for the Lord and wholeheartedly committed to his mission work. He didn’t play games or tolerate mediocrity. He challenged perpetually immature believers to grow-up in Christ. He called out sin and admonished the guilty to repent. He rebuked false teachers without hesitance or reservation. As such, he most certainly made many enemies - both outside and inside the church.
Nevertheless, Paul loved the Lord and His church with all of his being. Sure, he may have rubbed people the wrong way at times, but the sincerity of his heart was never in question. His service to God wasn’t merely a part of his life, it was his entire life. It consumed and defined him. The apostle Paul is a role model for Christians everywhere and in every generation.
Next Sunday morning we will read and discuss that second half of chapter 11. Paul will continue vigorously defending himself and his ministry. He will continue distinguishing himself from the false teachers and pretenders of his day. Until then, I urge you to get serious with God. Jesus doesn’t call us to a casual, superficial relationship with Him. Rather, he wants our complete devotion - heart, soul, mind, and strength. Fellow Christian, are you all in?
In last week’s message, Paul began a strong and lengthy defense of himself and his ministry. He clarified that the battle before him was not a physical one, but rather a spiritual one against Satan and his demonic forces. He declared that he wasn't weak, as many of his adversaries claimed, but rather meek and submissive to the Lord Jesus Christ. He also shared that he would only boast in the Lord and what he’d been given by God, and never boast in himself or in the work of others.
This morning, as we consider the first half of chapter 11, Paul’s apology continues. The Corinthian Christians had been told that Paul was a liar, a thief, and someone who only cared about himself. The church brazenly questioned and rejected Paul’s apostleship and credentials. In the face of their doubts and the ongoing barrage of slanderous comments being made about him, Paul offered his brilliant and inspired defense. Let’s go to the text…
I. NOT INFERIOR (2 Cor. 11:1-6)
Paul asked the Corinthians to bear with him in “a little foolishness”. He seemed somewhat uncomfortable talking about himself and didn’t want his words to come off as self-promotion. He didn’t speak like this very often, as evidenced by his other letters. Nevertheless, he had no other choice but to defend his character and his ministry. Those who disparaged him were disparaging the LORD also, and their deception couldn’t go unchallenged.
Paul likened the church to a woman that he’d introduced to a friend. He had personally presented the Corinthians to Christ, and they had become the Lord’s virgin bride. But now Paul feared that their minds would be led astray from pure and simple devotion to Christ, just as Satan misled Eve in the Garden of Eden so that she (and Adam) became estranged to God.
How might such a deception occur? Paul explained that if someone preached another Jesus besides the one he and his team had preached, or if they received another spirit besides the Holy Spirit, or accepted another gospel besides the true gospel, then they’d be in danger of falling into apostasy. Sadly, this seems to be exactly what happened.
Paul declared that he was not inferior - even in the slightest degree - to even the most imminent apostles, including Peter and John. He stood equal with them in authority and legitimacy. He certainly was not inferior to the charlatans who had infiltrated the Corinthian church! Though he conceded that he wasn’t a great speaker, still he excelled in the knowledge of God. This was something that should have been evident to the Corinthians, as they had witnessed Paul’s vast knowledge firsthand.
II. NOT RESTRAINED (2 Cor. 11:7-11)
Paul asked the Corinthians if he had sinned by humbling himself so that they might be exalted. To be precise, had he sinned by preaching the gospel to them without charge? When Paul first came to Corinth near the end of his second missionary journey and established the church there, he did not accept financial compensation from the Corinthians (Acts 18:1-5). Apparently, Paul’s accusers twisted his act of humility into a reason for questioning his office and authority, perhaps by arguing that distinguished apostles don’t work for free.
Paul explained that, during his initial visit to Corinth, he had received monetary support from other churches which allowed him not to place any financial burden on the Corinthians. He stated that when the brethren arrived from Macedonia - namely Silas and Timothy - they brought with them sufficient provision to supply his needs. The generosity of the Macedonian churches, and perhaps some other sources, funded Paul’s ministry and mission in Corinth.
After recalling how he’d preached the gospel to the Corinthians without payment from them, Paul then asserted that he would continue to do likewise. While exerting as little financial burden on the churches as possible, he would continue to proclaim the truth of Christ in regions beyond Achaia. Paul was a missionary - a church planter - who had been called by God to travel from place to place. Just because he wasn’t in Corinth all the time didn’t mean that he didn’t love them or care for their church. This was yet another false (and rather childish) allegation that had been made about him. On the contrary, he loved the Corinthians dearly, as God Himself would testify!
Notice that Paul was not overly concerned with making money. Nor was he naive in believing that a preacher’s value should be measured by how much money he is paid. Of course he needed his basic necessities taken care of, but beyond that Paul just wanted to tell as many people about Jesus as possible and establish strong Christian churches while not being a burden to them.
III. NOT DECEIVED (2 Cor. 11:12-15)
There was another reason Paul didn’t expect or demand wages from the churches in exchange for his work - to distinguish himself from those who did. Paul stated that if his opponents wanted to be regarded in the same manner that he was, they should follow his lead and not insist on being compensated for their services either! Of course, he knew that they wouldn’t do that.
Paul then described his adversaries as false apostles and deceitful workers who were disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. He reasoned that their behaviors were not a surprise, for even Satan misrepresents himself as an angel of light. In the same way, Satan’s servants - ie, these false teachers - disguised themselves as servants of righteousness. But Paul was not fooled, and confidently declared that these wolves in sheep's clothing would ultimately be exposed and judged for their lying words and deeds.
Beloved, the apostle Paul wasn’t afraid to call a spade a spade. He didn’t beat around the bush or shy away from confrontation. He addressed it directly or courageously. Can you imagine the flack that would befall a prominent Christian leader if they were to call another such person a servant of the Devil? Even though they might be right, as Paul was, many people would hate them for saying it.
CONCLUSION
As we close this morning, let me reiterate that Paul was a serious man with a serious mission. He was zealous for the Lord and wholeheartedly committed to his mission work. He didn’t play games or tolerate mediocrity. He challenged perpetually immature believers to grow-up in Christ. He called out sin and admonished the guilty to repent. He rebuked false teachers without hesitance or reservation. As such, he most certainly made many enemies - both outside and inside the church.
Nevertheless, Paul loved the Lord and His church with all of his being. Sure, he may have rubbed people the wrong way at times, but the sincerity of his heart was never in question. His service to God wasn’t merely a part of his life, it was his entire life. It consumed and defined him. The apostle Paul is a role model for Christians everywhere and in every generation.
Next Sunday morning we will read and discuss that second half of chapter 11. Paul will continue vigorously defending himself and his ministry. He will continue distinguishing himself from the false teachers and pretenders of his day. Until then, I urge you to get serious with God. Jesus doesn’t call us to a casual, superficial relationship with Him. Rather, he wants our complete devotion - heart, soul, mind, and strength. Fellow Christian, are you all in?