Greetings from Paul

Themes in the book of Galatians:

Salvation was available to the Gentiles.

Gentiles did not have to become Jews in order to become full members of God’s family.  They only had to put their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation.

Pass out maps of Paul’s 1^st missionary journey.

Locate Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia on a map.

Refer to Acts 13: 13-14 & Acts 14:1, 7

Upon arriving back in Antioch from his first missionary journey after eighteen months on the road, Paul received a report that the churches he had started in Galatia had been led away from the truth of the Gospel by a group of Judaizers.  Judaizers taught that all Christians were required to live under the Mosaic Law.

Galatians 1:1-2 NLT
Greetings from Paul
1 This letter is from Paul, an apostle. I was not appointed by any group of people or any human authority, but by Jesus Christ himself and by God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead.
² All the brothers and sisters here join me in sending this letter to the churches of Galatia.

Read Paul’s greeting to the churches in Rome, Corinth, Ephesus, Philippi, Colossi, and Thessalonica.

Romans 1:6-9 NLT
⁶ And you are included among those Gentiles who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ. ⁷ I am writing to all of you in Rome who are loved by God and are called to be his own holy people.
May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
⁸ Let me say first that I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith in him is being talked about all over the world. ⁹ God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by spreading the Good News about his Son.

1 Corinthians 1:1-4 NLT
¹ This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Sosthenes.
² I am writing to God’s church in Corinth, to you who have been called by God to be his own holy people. He made you holy by means of Christ Jesus, just as he did for all people everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.
³ May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
⁴ I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 1:1-2 & 15-16 NLT
¹ This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus.
I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus.
² May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
¹⁵ Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, ¹⁶ I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly,

Philippians 1:1-6 NLT
¹ This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus.
I am writing to all of God’s holy people in Philippi who belong to Christ Jesus, including the church leaders and deacons.
² May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
³ Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. ⁴ Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, ⁵ for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. ⁶ And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Colossians 1:1-4 NLT
¹ This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy.
² We are writing to God’s holy people in the city of Colosse, who are faithful brothers and sisters in Christ.
May God our Father give you grace and peace.
³ We always pray for you, and we give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁴ For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God’s people, 

Thessalonians 1:1-4 NLT
¹ This letter is from Paul, Silas, and Timothy.
We are writing to the church in Thessalonica, to you who belong to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
May God give you grace and peace.
² We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly. ³ As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.
⁴ We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people. 

Read Paul’s greeting to the churches in Galatia.

Galatians 1:1-5 NLT
Greetings from Paul
1 This letter is from Paul, an apostle. I was not appointed by any group of people or any human authority, but by Jesus Christ himself and by God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead.
² All the brothers and sisters here join me in sending this letter to the churches of Galatia.
³ May God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. ⁴ Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live. ⁵ All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.

What’s missing in this greeting to the Galatians?

• The usual expression of thanksgiving and praise for believers is totally absent.

Examine the scriptures:

Galatians 1:1-2 NLT
Greetings from Paul
1 This letter is from Paul, an apostle. I was not appointed by any group of people or any human authority, but by Jesus Christ himself and by God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead.
² All the brothers and sisters here join me in sending this letter to the churches of Galatia.

1 This letter is from Paul, 

• The book of Galatians was written by Paul

 an apostle.

Paul immediately defends his apostolic credentials.

When the Galatians fell away so quickly from the gospel of grace Paul had preached to them, they also made clear their disloyalty to Paul’s authority as an apostle.

• The Galatians were being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ. (Galatians 1:7)

Paul was accused of changing the Gospel message.

The Judaizers stated that his version of the Gospel had never received the apostles’ sanction.

The Judaizers also stated that Paul’s presentation of the Gospel was incomplete.

Paul begins the letter to the Galatians by spending two chapters defending that very issue. 

Paul’s apostolic credentials were being challenged.

Though not one of the original Twelve, Paul claimed equality with them as an apostle. Paul claimed the right to speak for God as His representative or delegate.

Ambassador

Messenger

• Paul felt a strong need to defend his authority as an apostle. 

I was not appointed by any group of people or any human authority, but by Jesus Christ himself and by God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead. 

But by Jesus Christ. That is, directly by Christ. He had been called by him, and commissioned by him, and sent by him, to engage in the work of the gospel.

Paul made the bold claim that his call was of heavenly origin, from God the Father and the risen Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul’s apostleship was not from men, that is, he was not appointed an apostle by any official body such as the leaders in Jerusalem or Antioch.

• Paul’s apostleship was not from men but from Jesus Christ himself and by God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead. 

² All the brothers and sisters here join me in sending this letter to the churches of Galatia.

Paul did not stand alone.  Paul was supported by others in the “church”.

The letter was sent to Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia

Acts 13: 13-14 & Acts 14:1, 7

• The recipients of the letter were the churches in Galatia.
• All the brothers and sisters in Antioch of Syria joined Paul in sending this letter to the churches of Galatia. (commentary)

 

Disclaimer
Note the difference between Scripture and commentary.
Scripture is God’s Word.  Commentary is man’s word.
Most of the content in this lesson is from the Scripture.  Some of the content is from commentaries.

Remember Your Mission.

Current events

When we examine current events: (Just to name a few.)

Coronavirus
Left wing policies – government spending – government defying the constitution.
Events in Afghanistan.
Support of Pro-abortion views.
An atheist is now Harvard’s head chaplain.
The modern revolt against marriage.
The breakdown of the Biblical “male” and “female” marriage.
Wide spread acceptance of alternate life styles.

We see the demise of America as we once knew it.

           We are surrounded by moral decay.

It’s easy to become discouraged.

It’s easy to lose focus.

We read about the rise and fall of nations (God’s people) in the Old Testament.

The outcome for America is predictable.

Don’t lose your focus.

Remember Your Mission.

Where do we start?

Philippians 4:6-9 NLT
⁶ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
⁸ And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. ⁹ Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

You all know a lot of scripture.  Focus on what you know.  Do the things you know you should be doing, and don’t be sidetracked by the things you don’t understand.

Actions:

Don’t worry about anything.

Pray about everything. – Tell God what you need.

Thank God for all He has done.

Fix your thoughts on Scripture.

Put into practice all you learned from scripture.

• Keep putting into practice all you learned.

Results:

You will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

• You know a lot of scripture. Focus on what you know.

What are some things that you know?

• God is Sovereign

God is the supreme authority.

God is sovereign over history and time.

Ephesians 1:11 NLT
¹¹ Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.

1 Timothy 6:15 NLT
¹⁵ For, At just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords.

Psalm 47:7-9 NLT
⁷ For God is the King over all the earth.
Praise him with a psalm.
⁸ God reigns above the nations,
sitting on his holy throne.
⁹ The rulers of the world have gathered together
with the people of the God of Abraham.
For all the kings of the earth belong to God.
He is highly honored everywhere.

• Some things never change.

• God never changes.

Malachi 3:6 (NLT)
⁶“I am the Lord, and I do not change. …

Hebrews 13:8 (NLT)
⁸Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 

 Numbers 23:19 (NLT)
God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?

•  God’s Word never changes.

Isaiah 40:8 (NLT)
⁸The grass withers and the flowers fade,
but the word of our God stands forever.”

Psalm 119:89 (NLT)
⁸⁹Your eternal word, O Lord,
stands firm in heaven.

Luke 21:33 (NLT)
³³Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.

John 10:34-35 (NLT)
³⁴Jesus replied … ³⁵And you know that the Scriptures cannot be altered. 

Matthew 5:18 (NLT)
¹⁸I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.

• Remember Your Mission.

Don’t forget!  Busy schedules!

What is something that God has called you to do?

Our mission. (from the scriptures)

Ephesians 2:10 NLT
⁸ God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. ⁹ Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. ¹⁰ For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

 

Ephesians 2:8-10 English Standard Version
⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not a result of works, so that no one may boast. ¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

 

 

Remember Your Mission. (Part 2)

Psalm 78 (NLT)
¹O my people, listen to my instructions.
Open your ears to what I am saying,
²for I will speak to you in a parable.
I will teach you hidden lessons from our past—
³stories we have heard and known,
stories our ancestors handed down to us.
⁴We will not hide these truths from our children;
we will tell the next generation
about the glorious deeds of the Lord,
about his power and his mighty wonders.
⁵For he issued his laws to Jacob;
he gave his instructions to Israel.
He commanded our ancestors
to teach them to their children,
⁶so the next generation might know them—
even the children not yet born—
and they in turn will teach their own children.
⁷So each generation should set its hope anew on God,
not forgetting his glorious miracles
and obeying his commands.

Actions

¹O my people, listen to my instructions.
Open your ears to what I am saying, (be receptive)

 YOU:

Listen – hear  (God speaks to us!)

Bible study is all important!

I will teach you …

I will speak to you …

• Listen to God’s instructions. Open your ears to what God is saying to you. (be receptive)

Tell

⁴We will not hide these truths from our children;
we will tell the next generation
about the glorious deeds of the LORD,
about his power and his mighty wonders.

Desired outcome

⁶so the next generation might know them—
even the children not yet born—
and they in turn will teach their own children.
⁷So each generation should set its hope anew on God,
not forgetting his glorious miracles
and obeying his commands.

• Help others (your students)

You want your students to:

Know God’s Story – Biblical truths

Trust in God.

Remember Biblical truths.

Obey Biblical truths.

• Repetition is good.

How

• Remember Your Mission.

Deuteronomy 6 (NLT)
⁴ “Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. ⁵ And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. ⁶ And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. ⁷ Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. ⁸ Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders.  ⁹ Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Repeat again and again.

• Start with yourself.

YOU:

You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. 

⁶ And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. 

• Repeat them (Biblical principles) again and again to your children.

Readily available resource.

2 Timothy 3:16-17
¹⁶All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. ¹⁷God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

Remember Your Mission.

• Building on a Solid Foundation

Luke 6:46-49 NLT
Building on a Solid Foundation
⁴⁶“So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? ⁴⁷I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. ⁴⁸It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. ⁴⁹But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house right on the ground, without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.”

Matthew 7:24-29 NLT
Building on a Solid Foundation
²⁴“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. ²⁵Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. ²⁶But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. ²⁷When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”
²⁸When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, ²⁹for he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law.

Foundation

Costly

Things people do not see

Hear and do

Rain came

Proverbs 22:6 NLT
⁶Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. (ESV)

1 Corinthians 10:31 (NLT)
So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Psalm 127:1 (NLT)
Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.

This lesson:

2 Corinthians 12:20-13:10      Paul’s Warning

2 Corinthians 13:11-14           Paul’s benediction

Paul’s letter is coming to an end.

Paul is hoping to see two responses from his letter.

• Repentance (involving obedience to God) for wrong. (Getting right with God.)
• An affirmation of loyalty to himself and his associates as authentic servants of Christ. (Getting right with Paul.)

This letter is not ending on a high note.

There are still issues in the church that need to be dealt with.

The letter (not including the benediction) ends with a warning from Paul.

 

2 Corinthians 12:20-13:14 NLT
Paul’s Warning
²⁰ For I am afraid that when I come I won’t like what I find, and you won’t like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior. ²¹ Yes, I am afraid that when I come again, God will humble me in your presence. And I will be grieved because many of you have not given up your old sins. You have not repented of your impurity, sexual immorality, and eagerness for lustful pleasure.

Paul’s Final Advice
13 This is the third time I am coming to visit you (and as the Scriptures say, “The facts of every case must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses”). ² I have already warned those who had been sinning when I was there on my second visit. Now I again warn them and all others, just as I did before, that next time I will not spare them.
³ I will give you all the proof you want that Christ speaks through me. Christ is not weak when he deals with you; he is powerful among you. ⁴ Although he was crucified in weakness, he now lives by the power of God. We, too, are weak, just as Christ was, but when we deal with you we will be alive with him and will have God’s power.
⁵ Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith. ⁶ As you test yourselves, I hope you will recognize that we have not failed the test of apostolic authority.
⁷ We pray to God that you will not do what is wrong by refusing our correction. I hope we won’t need to demonstrate our authority when we arrive. Do the right thing before we come—even if that makes it look like we have failed to demonstrate our authority. ⁸ For we cannot oppose the truth, but must always stand for the truth. ⁹ We are glad to seem weak if it helps show that you are actually strong. We pray that you will become mature.
¹⁰ I am writing this to you before I come, hoping that I won’t need to deal severely with you when I do come. For I want to use the authority the Lord has given me to strengthen you, not to tear you down.

Paul’s Final Greetings
¹¹ Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.
¹² Greet each other with a sacred kiss. ¹³ All of God’s people here send you their greetings.
¹⁴ May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Examine the scriptures:

2 Corinthians 12:20-13:14 NLT
²⁰ For I am afraid that when I come I won’t like what I find, and you won’t like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior. 

A description of division in the church.

²¹ Yes, I am afraid that when I come again, God will humble me in your presence. 

And I will be grieved because many of you have not given up your old sins. You have not repented of your impurity, sexual immorality, and eagerness for lustful pleasure.

A description of the lax morality in the church.

• Paul feared encountering renewed rebellion and resistance during his upcoming visit, with the Corinthians relapsed into their old ways.

• To find the Corinthians still living in unrepentant sin would both humiliate and sadden Paul.

Paul’s Final Advice
^13:1 This is the third time I am coming to visit you 

(and as the Scriptures say, “The facts of every case must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses”).  Deuteronomy 19:15 

Matthew 18:16 NLT (Jesus speaking)
¹⁶ But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses.

• Paul will practice Biblical principles when dealing with the Corinthians.

Paul wants to handle the situation correctly. 

² I have already warned those who had been sinning when I was there on my second visit. Now I again warn them and all others, just as I did before, that next time I will not spare them. 

• Paul promised discipline for the unrepentant.

³ I will give you all the proof you want that Christ speaks through me. Christ is not weak when he deals with you; he is powerful among you. ⁴ Although he was crucified in weakness, he now lives by the power of God. We, too, are weak, just as Christ was, but when we deal with you we will be alive with him and will have God’s power. 

• Paul relied on God’s strength, not his own, to deal with the Corinthians. 

Hebrews 12:5-11 NLT
⁵ And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said,
“My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and don’t give up when he corrects you.
⁶ For the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”
⁷ As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Whoever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? ⁸ If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. ⁹ Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?
¹⁰ For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. ¹¹ No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. 

⁵ Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves.

Turn your focus away from me and examine yourselves.

• Examine yourself.

Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith.

• If Jesus Christ is not living in you, you are not saved.

 ⁶ As you test yourselves, I hope you will recognize that we have not failed the test of apostolic authority. 

⁷ We pray to God that you will not do what is wrong by refusing our correction. I hope we won’t need to demonstrate our authority when we arrive. Do the right thing before we come

• Do the right thing by accepting correction.

—even if that makes it look like we have failed to demonstrate our authority.  

⁸ For we cannot oppose the truth, but must always stand for the truth.  

⁹ We are glad to seem weak if it helps show that you are actually strong.

• Paul is concerned with the Corinthians standing with God, not his reputation.

We pray that you will become mature. 

¹⁰ I am writing this to you before I come, hoping that I won’t need to deal severely with you when I do come. For I want to use the authority the Lord has given me to strengthen you, not to tear you down.

Paul’s purpose in writing this letter.

• Paul’s hope is that the Corinthians church repents of their sins before he arrives in Corinth.

Paul’s Final Greetings

A call for unity:

¹¹ Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words:

Be joyful.

Grow to maturity.

Encourage each other.

Live in harmony and peace.

Then the God of love and peace will be with you. 

¹² Greet each other with a sacred kiss. 

An expression of unity.

• Paul’s final greeting is a call for unity.

¹³ All of God’s people here 

• Paul is in Macedonia, about to travel to Corinth for a third visit. Paul is preparing the Corinthian Church for his visit. 

Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea are in Macedonia. 

 send you their greetings. 

¹⁴ May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 

Did the Corinthians respond positively to Paul’s warning?

2 Corinthians 10:15-16 NLT
¹⁵ Nor do we boast and claim credit for the work someone else has done. Instead, we hope that your faith will grow so that the boundaries of our work among you will be extended. ¹⁶ Then we will be able to go and preach the Good News in other places far beyond you, where no one else is working. Then there will be no question of our boasting about work done in someone else’s territory. 

4^th letter (2^nd Corinthians) From Macedonia A.D. 55/56 

3^rd visit  A.D. 56 -57

Acts 20:2-3 (NLT)
² While there, he encouraged the believers in all the towns he passed through. Then he traveled down to Greece, ³ where he stayed for three months. He was preparing to sail back to Syria when he discovered a plot by some Jews against his life, so he decided to return through Macedonia. 

                      While there Paul wrote to the Romans.

 Romans 15:23 NLT
Paul’s Travel Plans
²³ But now I have finished my work in these regions, and after all these long years of waiting, I am eager to visit you.

 

Ministry Can Be Very Difficult

Paul’s letter was coming to an end.

Paul was hoping to see two responses from his letter.

• • • Repentance (involving obedience to God) for wrong. (Getting right with God.)
    • An affirmation of loyalty to himself and his associates as authentic servants of Christ. (Getting right with Paul.)

This letter is not ending on a high note.

There are still issues in the church that need to be dealt with.

Paul is not the “bad guy”.

Paul is not the problem.

Paul’s intentions are right.

The letter (not including the benediction) ends with a warning from Paul.

2 Corinthians 12:11-20 NLT
Paul’s Concern for the Corinthians
Ministry Can Be Very Difficult
¹¹ You have made me act like a fool. You ought to be writing commendations for me, for I am not at all inferior to these “super apostles,” even though I am nothing at all. ¹² When I was with you, I certainly gave you proof that I am an apostle. For I patiently did many signs and wonders and miracles among you. ¹³ The only thing I failed to do, which I do in the other churches, was to become a financial burden to you. Please forgive me for this wrong!
¹⁴ Now I am coming to you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you. I don’t want what you have—I want you. After all, children don’t provide for their parents. Rather, parents provide for their children. ¹⁵ I will gladly spend myself and all I have for you, even though it seems that the more I love you, the less you love me.
¹⁶ Some of you admit I was not a burden to you. But others still think I was sneaky and took advantage of you by trickery. ¹⁷ But how? Did any of the men I sent to you take advantage of you? ¹⁸ When I urged Titus to visit you and sent our other brother with him, did Titus take advantage of you? No! For we have the same spirit and walk in each other’s steps, doing things the same way.
¹⁹ Perhaps you think we’re saying these things just to defend ourselves. No, we tell you this as Christ’s servants, and with God as our witness. Everything we do, dear friends, is to strengthen you. ²⁰ For I am afraid that when I come I won’t like what I find, and you won’t like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior.

Examine the scriptures:

2 Corinthians 12:11-20 NLT
Paul’s Concern for the Corinthians
Ministry Can Be Very Difficult

¹¹ You have made me act like a fool.

… listen to me, as you would to a foolish person, while I also boast a little. ¹⁷ Such boasting is not from the Lord, but I am acting like a fool. ¹⁸ And since others boast about their human achievements, I will, too.  (2 Corinthians 11:16-18 NLT)

¹¹ You (the Corinthian church) have made me act like a fool.

You ought to be writing commendations for me,

• The Corinthian church had not come to Paul’s defense against the innuendos (a remark that suggests something but does not refer to it directly) of the false apostles.

for I am not at all inferior to these “super apostles,” 

• Paul knows that he is not inferior to the “super apostles”. 

even though I am nothing at all. 

1 Corinthians 15:10 NLT
¹⁰ But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me—and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace.

2 Corinthians 3:4-6 NLT
⁴ We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ. ⁵ It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God. ⁶ He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant. 

• Paul always credits God for his accomplishments. 

¹² When I was with you, I certainly gave you proof that I am an apostle.

• Paul was able to give proof of his apostleship.

First and foremost:

2 Corinthians 3:1-3 NLT
¹ Are we beginning to praise ourselves again? Are we like others, who need to bring you letters of recommendation, or who ask you to write such letters on their behalf? Surely not! ² The only letter of recommendation we need is you yourselves. Your lives are a letter written in our hearts; everyone can read it and recognize our good work among you. ³ Clearly, you are a letter from Christ showing the result of our ministry among you. This “letter” is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts.

• The conversion and gifting of the Corinthians are proof of Paul’s apostleship.

Secondly: 

For I patiently did

• Paul was able to deal patiently with difficult people.

many signs and wonders and miracles among you. 

All these are the evidence that mark an apostle.

Acts 2:22 NLT
²² “People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know.

Acts 14:3
³ But the apostles stayed there (Iconium) a long time, preaching boldly about the grace of the Lord. And the Lord proved their message was true by giving them power to do miraculous signs and wonders.

Romans 15:18-19 NLT
¹⁸ Yet I dare not boast about anything except what Christ has done through me, bringing the Gentiles to God by my message and by the way I worked among them. ¹⁹ They were convinced by the power of miraculous signs and wonders and by the power of God’s Spirit. In this way, I have fully presented the Good News of Christ from Jerusalem all the way to Illyricum.

 Hebrews 2:4 NLT
⁴ And God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose. 

• The many signs and wonders and miracles Paul did among the Corinthians are proof of Paul’s apostleship.

 ¹³ The only thing I failed to do, which I do in the other churches, was to become a financial burden to you. Please forgive me for this wrong!

Tongue in cheek – a touch of irony

¹⁴ Now I am coming to you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you. 

Paul is planning a third visit with the Corinthian Church. 

I don’t want what you have—I want you.

• Paul’s concern was for the Corinthian people, not their money.

After all, children don’t provide for their parents. Rather, parents provide for their children.  

¹⁵ I will gladly spend myself and all I have for you,

• Paul was willing to sacrificially serve the church.

even though it seems that the more I love you, the less you love me. 

¹⁶ Some of you admit I was not a burden to you. 

But others still think I was sneaky and took advantage of you by trickery. 

Paul’s opponents circulated a vicious rumor that he was using craftiness and cunning to deceive the Corinthian church.

• Apparently the false apostles were suggesting that Paul was planning to take from the funds the Corinthian Church had collected for the church in Jerusalem.

¹⁷ But how? Did any of the men I sent to you take advantage of you?  

¹⁸ When I urged Titus to visit you and sent our other brother with him, did Titus take advantage of you? No!

2 Corinthians 8:16-22 NLT
Titus and His Companions
¹⁶ But thank God! He has given Titus the same enthusiasm for you that I have. ¹⁷ Titus welcomed our request that he visit you again. In fact, he himself was very eager to go and see you. ¹⁸ We are also sending another brother with Titus. All the churches praise him as a preacher of the Good News. ¹⁹ He was appointed by the churches to accompany us as we take the offering to Jerusalem—a service that glorifies the Lord and shows our eagerness to help.
²⁰ We are traveling together to guard against any criticism for the way we are handling this generous gift. ²¹ We are careful to be honorable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to see that we are honorable.
²² We are also sending with them another of our brothers who has proven himself many times and has shown on many occasions how eager he is. He is now even more enthusiastic because of his great confidence in you.

• Paul rejects the idea that he used the collection to take money from the Corinthians.

For we have the same spirit and walk in each other’s steps, doing things the same way. 

• The credentials of all of Paul’s coworkers were good. 

¹⁹ Perhaps you think we’re saying these things just to defend ourselves. 

No, we tell you this as Christ’s servants, and with God as our witness.

• Paul understood that he was accountable to God, not to the Corinthian church.

Everything we do, dear friends, is to strengthen you. 

• Paul’s goal was to strengthen the Corinthian church, not exonerate himself.

• Paul loved the Corinthians and was looking out for the well-being of the church.

²⁰ For I am afraid that when I come I won’t like what I find, and you won’t like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior. 

• Ministry Can Be Difficult

Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh

A short, but powerful passage of scripture.

You may want to be asking yourself how this lesson applies to you personally.

Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh
2 Corinthians 12:7b-10 NLT
⁷ …. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.
⁸ Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. ⁹ Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. ¹⁰ That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Examine the scriptures:

Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh
2 Corinthians 12:7b-10 NLT
⁷ …. So to keep me from becoming proud,

• It’s not good to be proud. (This is not a given in today’s secular society.)

Pride: a preoccupation with self and one’s own importance, achievements, status, or possessions.

Note how many of today’s current commercials focus on one’s own importance, achievements, status, or possessions.

Proverbs 16:5 NLT
⁵ The Lord detests the proud;
they will surely be punished.

Proverbs 16:18 NLT
¹⁸ Pride goes before destruction,
and haughtiness before a fall.

Pride leads to one’s downfall.

1 Corinthians 13:4 NLT
⁴ Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud …

Romans 12:3 NLT
³ Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. 

• The Lord detests the proud.

• God did what He had to do to keep pride from hindering Paul’s ministry. 

I was given a thorn in my flesh,

We do not know what the thorn was, but we do know that it was to keep Paul from becoming proud.

A thorn in the flesh suggests some sort of physical condition.

Some even think this thorn was a (demon-possessed) person.

A constant reminder. 

• Paul was given a thorn in his flesh to keep him from becoming proud.
  

a messenger from Satan

God permitted Satan to do this. (However, Satan’s plan backfired and Satan was defeated.)

Romans 8:28 NLT
²⁸ And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 

 to torment me

Thorns are certainly a deterrent.

Numbers 33:55 NLT
⁵⁵ But if you fail to drive out the people who live in the land, those who remain will be like splinters in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will harass you in the land where you live.

Ezekiel 28:24 NLT
²⁴ No longer will Israel’s scornful neighbors
prick and tear at her like briers and thorns.
For then they will know
that I am the Sovereign Lord.

Hosea 2:6 NLT
⁶ “For this reason I will fence her in with thornbushes.
I will block her path with a wall
to make her lose her way. 

• Thorns are certainly a deterrent. 

 and keep me from becoming proud. (repeated)

We do not know what the thorn was, we know it was to keep Paul from becoming proud. 

⁸ Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 

Paul prayed three times for its removal and each time He said “no”. 

⁹ Each time he said, “My grace is all you need.

James 4:6 NLT
⁶ And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say,
“God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble.” 

Philippians 4:13 NLT
¹³ For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

Colossians 1:29 NLT
²⁹ That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me. 

• God’s grace is all we need.

• Grace rules out all human merit.

Ephesians 2:8 NLT
⁸ God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.

My power works best in weakness.” 

1 Corinthians 1:27 NLT
²⁷ Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.

Paul’s human weakness was an opportunity for the power of Christ to work through him.

John 3:30 NLT
³⁰ He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. 

Isaiah 55:8 NLT
⁸ “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.

• God’s power works best in weakness.

• God’s ways are far beyond anything we can imagine.

So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 

• Paul’s affliction brought glory to God and allowed Paul to experience the mighty power of God in his life.

Christ’s strength showed itself through Paul’s weakness.

“It must be God at work in my life because I know it sure isn’t me.” (My quote)

¹⁰ That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. 

For when I am weak, then I am strong.

• When I am weak, the stage is set for God to display his power (through me). 

• A proud person is not a good ambassador for Christ. 

 

 

 

 

Introduction:

 Paul is back to the “foolish boasting” the Corinthian church forced him into.

… listen to me, as you would to a foolish person, while I also boast a little. ¹⁷ Such boasting is not from the Lord, but I am acting like a fool. ¹⁸ And since others boast about their human achievements, I will, too.  (2 Corinthians 11:16-18 NLT)

The Necessity for Paul’s Boasting

Paul’s Boasting (continued)

Paul’s Vision

2 Corinthians 12:1-7a NLT
¹ This boasting will do no good, but I must go on. I will reluctantly tell about visions and revelations from the Lord. ² I was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don’t know—only God knows. ³ Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know ⁴ that I was caught up to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell.
⁵ That experience is worth boasting about, but I’m not going to do it. I will boast only about my weaknesses. ⁶ If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, ⁷ even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God.

Examine the scriptures:

2 Corinthians 12:1-7a NLT

Paul’s Boasting (continued)

Paul’s Vision
¹ This boasting will do no good,

• Paul is back to the “foolish boasting” the Corinthian church forced him into.

… listen to me, as you would to a foolish person, while I also boast a little. ¹⁷ Such boasting is not from the Lord, but I am acting like a fool. ¹⁸ And since others boast about their human achievements, I will, too.  (2 Corinthians 11:16-18 NLT)

• This boasting will not build up the church. 

but I must go on. I will reluctantly tell about visions and revelations from the Lord.  

Six of Paul’s visions are recorded in Acts:

Acts 9:12, 16:9-10, 18:9, 22:17-18, 23:11, 27:23-24.  (Due to the timing and content of these visions, these visions can’t be the visions Paul is referring to in these verses.)

Paul also talks about visions in Galatians 1:12, 2:2, and Ephesians 3:3. (The content in these verses is very “general”.

As a boast, it was crucial that the Corinthians know that he was outmatched by no one in revelations and visions.

He did it to silence his critics and enable him to minister freely.

… listen to me, (2 Corinthians 11:16 NLT)

2 Corinthians 12:11 NLT (next lesson)
¹¹ You have made me act like a fool. You ought to be writing commendations for me, for I am not at all inferior to these “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing at all.

• Paul boasted to silence his critics and enable him to minister freely. 

² I was caught up to the third heaven

A Jewish expression for the immediate presence of God.

When Paul says that he went to the third heaven, he means that he went to the place where God dwells.

fourteen years ago.

AD 43 (After his conversion and prior to his 1^st missionary journey.)

Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don’t know—only God knows. 

• Paul wasn’t sure whether he was in a trance or actually taken to heaven, but he did know that he was in the presence of God.

³ Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know ⁴ that I was caught up to paradise (into the presence of Jesus) and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell.

• Paul experienced something we will not experience until Christ returns and takes us home to be with him.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 NLT
¹⁷ Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.

This experience may have been similar to what John experienced in Revelation 1.

Revelation 1:12-19 NLT
¹² When I (John) turned to see who was speaking to me, I saw seven gold lampstands. ¹³ And standing in the middle of the lampstands was someone like the Son of Man. He was wearing a long robe with a gold sash across his chest. ¹⁴ His head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow. And his eyes were like flames of fire. ¹⁵ His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and his voice thundered like mighty ocean waves. ¹⁶ He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from his mouth. And his face was like the sun in all its brilliance.
¹⁷ When I saw him, I fell at his feet as if I were dead. But he laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last. ¹⁸ I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.
¹⁹ “Write down what you have seen—both the things that are now happening and the things that will happen.

⁵ That experience is worth boasting about, but I’m not going to do it. 

• Paul’s experience was certainly something many of us would be tempted to boast about.

In addition to the boasting Paul did about

his physical struggles,

his long and hard work,

and his spiritual struggles (discussed in the previous lesson)

Paul states that he could boast about his experience of being caught up to paradise and hearing things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words. 

• Paul did not share the details of his experience. 

• Paul believed that this boasting would not build up the church. 

I will boast only about my weaknesses. 

2 Corinthians 11:30
³⁰ If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am. 

• Paul wanted to point away from himself and toward God.

John 15:5 NLT
⁵ “Yes, I (Jesus) am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

⁶ If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth.

But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message,

• Paul doesn’t want anyone to give him credit beyond what they could see in his life or hear in his message, (certainly not some mystical experience). 

 ⁷ even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. 

Redeemer Day School verses are Psalm 78:4-7, “We will… tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord… so that they should set their hope in God.” The entire fourth verse reads, “We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders he has done.” Verses 6 and 7 go on to say, “that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God.” Our prayer is that all of our students “set their hope” in Christ. This hope is what we are all about. What a privilege we have in our obedience to the Lord to plant seeds in the hearts of these little ones! We pray that the Lord would cause those seeds to grow!

What do these verses NOT include?

Boasting about the achievements of individuals in the school.

Paul’s Boasting (continued)

Introduction:

 Paul is back to the “foolish boasting” the Corinthian church forced him into.

… listen to me, as you would to a foolish person, while I also boast a little. ¹⁷ Such boasting is not from the Lord, but I am acting like a fool. ¹⁸ And since others boast about their human achievements, I will, too.  (2 Corinthians 11:16-18 NLT)

Paul’s Boasting (continued)
2 Corinthians 11:21-33 NLT
²¹ … But whatever they dare to boast about—I’m talking like a fool again—I dare to boast about it, too. ²² Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. ²³ Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. ²⁴ Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. ²⁵ Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. ²⁶ I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. ²⁷ I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.
²⁸ Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches. ²⁹ Who is weak without my feeling that weakness? Who is led astray, and I do not burn with anger?
³⁰ If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am. ³¹ God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, who is worthy of eternal praise, knows I am not lying. ³² When I was in Damascus, the governor under King Aretas kept guards at the city gates to catch me. ³³ I had to be lowered in a basket through a window in the city wall to escape from him.

 Examine the scriptures:

Paul’s Boasting (continued)
2 Corinthians 11:21-33 NLT

²¹ … But whatever they dare to boast about—I’m talking like a fool again—I dare to boast about it, too. 

Paul is ready to begin comparing the external qualifications apparently believed by the Corinthians and false apostles to be matters of great importance.

1 Samuel 16:7 NLT (from the previous lesson)
… The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

• Paul’s boasting continues.

²² Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. 

Philippians 3:4-6 NLT
⁴ …  I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more!
⁵ I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. ⁶ I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault. 

• From a human viewpoint, Paul’s credentials were impeccable.

Genesis 17:7 NLT
⁷ “I (God) will confirm my covenant with you (Abraham) and your descendants after you, from generation to generation. This is the everlasting covenant: I will always be your God and the God of your descendants after you. 

²³ Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! 

I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. ²⁴ Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. 

Synagogue’s punishment.
Deuteronomy 25
39 lashes were given so as not to violate this Old Testament law.

 ²⁵ Three times I was beaten with rods.

This was a Roman punishment administered in public. As a Roman citizen, Paul sometimes avoided being beaten in this way. Citizens were supposed to be given a trial first. Here, though, Paul shows that he did not always escape it.

History indicates that many men died from these Roman beatings!

Acts 16:22-24 NLT
²² A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. ²³ They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. ²⁴ So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.

Once I was stoned. 

Acts 14:19 NLT
¹⁹ Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowds to their side. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead.

Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. (Acts 27) ²⁶ I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles.

• Paul faced danger from the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. 

I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not.

• The apostle Paul suffered more than most as a follower of Christ. 

²⁷ I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.

1 Thessalonians 2:9 NLT
⁹ Don’t you remember, dear brothers and sisters, how hard we worked among you? Night and day we toiled to earn a living so that we would not be a burden to any of you as we preached God’s Good News to you.

2 Thessalonians 3:8 NLT
⁸ We never accepted food from anyone without paying for it. We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to any of you. 

• Paul worked hard and long, sometimes without adequate food, clothing, or shelter. 

²⁸ Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches. ²⁹ Who is weak without my feeling that weakness? Who is led astray, and I do not burn with anger?

• Paul’s spiritual struggles were even a greater burden than his physical hardships.

1 Corinthians 12:26 NLT
²⁶ If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.

1 Corinthians 9:22 NLT
²² When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. 

³⁰ If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am.  

³¹ God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, who is worthy of eternal praise, knows I am not lying.  

• Paul understood his total dependence on God.

Colossians 1:28-29 NLT
²⁸ So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. ²⁹ That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me.

Philippians 4:19 NLT
¹⁹ And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. 

Paul’s hardships started early in his ministry. 

³² When I was in Damascus, the governor under King Aretas kept guards at the city gates to catch me. ³³ I had to be lowered in a basket through a window in the city wall to escape from him. 

Started early in his ministry.
Acts 9:19-25 early in his ministry.
Some of the Jews plotted together to kill him. 

• Paul’s hardships started early in his ministry.

Philippians 4:19 NLT
¹⁹ And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

The Necessity for Paul’s Boasting

Introduction:

In previous verses (7-12) Paul discussed the issue of financial support for himself.

 In verses 13-15, Paul described the false teachers in the Corinthian church as servants of Satan.

• • • Paul described the false apostles at Corinth as servants of Satan.
    • Paul was fighting a spiritual battle to protect the Corinthian church from corruption.

 Now he is back to the “foolish boasting” the Corinthian church forced him into.

2 Corinthians 11:16- 21 NLT
The Necessity for Paul’s Boasting
¹⁶ Again I say, don’t think that I am a fool to talk like this. But even if you do, listen to me, as you would to a foolish person, while I also boast a little. ¹⁷ Such boasting is not from the Lord, but I am acting like a fool. ¹⁸ And since others boast about their human achievements, I will, too. ¹⁹ After all, you think you are so wise, but you enjoy putting up with fools! ²⁰ You put up with it when someone enslaves you, takes everything you have, takes advantage of you, takes control of everything, and slaps you in the face. ²¹ I’m ashamed to say that we’ve been too “weak” to do that!
But whatever they dare to boast about—I’m talking like a fool again—I dare to boast about it, too.

Examine the scriptures:

2 Corinthians 11:16- 21 NLT
The Necessity for Paul’s Boasting

¹⁶ Again I say, don’t think that I am a fool to talk like this. 

Some of the Corinthians were comparing Paul unfavorably to the false apostles.

“don’t think that I am a fool”

• Some of the Corinthians thought that Paul was a fool.

Foolish here means ignorant. (Lacking in knowledge, education, or experience. Uninformed.)

Who is being foolish? 

• The Corinthians were viewing these false apostles (false teachers) from a human perspective.

1 Samuel 16:7 NLT
⁷ But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

• People judge by outward appearance, but the Lordlooks at the heart.

• By rejecting Paul in favor of the false apostles, the Corinthiasn would be rejecting the true gospel for a false gospel.

But even if you do (think that I am a fool), listen to me, as you would to a foolish person, while I also boast a little. 

2 Corinthians 11:1 NLT
¹ I hope you will put up with a little more of my foolishness. Please bear with me. 

• Paul plays the part of a boastful fool so that he may present his true credentials (as a suffering apostle).

• Paul was fighting a spiritual battle to protect the Corinthian church from corruption. (repeated point) 

¹⁷ Such boasting is not from the Lord,

Jesus would not talk this way.

In his arrogance the fool boasts in himself, not in the Lord.

2 Corinthians 10:17-18 NLT
¹⁷ As the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”
¹⁸ When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them.

Jeremiah 9:24 NLT
²⁴ But those who wish to boast
should boast in this alone:
that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord
who demonstrates unfailing love
and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth,
and that I delight in these things.
I, the Lord, have spoken! 

but I am acting like a fool. 

Acting like a fool in order to counter the false doctrine threatening the Coriinthian church.

 ¹⁸ And since others boast about their human achievements, I will, too. 

 BE CAREFUL if you choose to imitate Paul with this behavior.

• Paul is using this approach out of necessity.

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 NLT
¹⁹ Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. ²⁰ When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. ²¹ When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.
²² When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. ²³ I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.

• Paul’s motive was to correct the Corinthian church.

¹⁹ After all, you think you are so wise,

Sarcasism

The Corinthians were viewing themselves as being wise.

1 Corinthians 4:10 NLT
¹⁰ Our dedication to Christ makes us look like fools, but you claim to be so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are so powerful! You are honored, but we are ridiculed.

but you enjoy putting up with fools! 

• Those who are truly wise would not put up with fools. 

²⁰ You put up with it when someone enslaves you, takes everything you have, takes advantage of you, takes control of everything, and slaps you in the face. 

• A description of the actions of the false teachers.

¹ Someone enslaves you,
² takes everything you have,
³ takes advantage of you,
⁴ takes control of everything,
⁵ and slaps you in the face.

Paul is describing the actions of the false teachers.

(Who else does this describe?)

Mark 12:38-40 NLT
³⁸ Jesus also taught: “Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. ³⁹ And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets. ⁴⁰ Yet they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property and then pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public. Because of this, they will be more severely punished.”

• Beware of false teachers!

²¹ I’m ashamed to say that we’ve been too “weak” to do that!

Paul was too weak to exploit the Corinthian church.

Ironic, tongue-in cheek, or sarcastic statement.

• Paul knew how wrong it was for the false teachers to treat the church as they were doing.

But whatever they dare to boast about—I’m talking like a fool again—I dare to boast about it, too.

Paul is ready to “take on” his opponents.

Paul is about to boast a little in his own identity to make his point.

In Corinth many boast according to the flesh.

Repeat:

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 NLT
¹⁹ Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. ²⁰ When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. ²¹ When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law,^[a] I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.
²² When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. ²³ I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings. 

• Quoting Paul, “Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.”

Paul and the False Apostles (Part 2)

Introduction:

In this passage, Paul continues to defend his position as the spiritual authority in the Corinthian church.

Generally speaking, it’s wrong to boast.

There is a Time for Boasting if it is Done Correctly.

Paul continues to boast (in the Lord) in this passage.

In order to compare his own ministry with that of the false apostles who have invaded the Corinthian church, Paul has to speak about himself, which inevitably seems like foolish boasting.

 

2 Corinthians 11:7-15 NLT
Paul and the False Apostles (Part 2)
⁷ Was I wrong when I humbled myself and honored you by preaching God’s Good News to you without expecting anything in return? ⁸ I “robbed” other churches by accepting their contributions so I could serve you at no cost. ⁹ And when I was with you and didn’t have enough to live on, I did not become a financial burden to anyone. For the brothers who came from Macedonia brought me all that I needed. I have never been a burden to you, and I never will be. ¹⁰ As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, no one in all of Greece will ever stop me from boasting about this. ¹¹ Why? Because I don’t love you? God knows that I do.
¹² But I will continue doing what I have always done. This will undercut those who are looking for an opportunity to boast that their work is just like ours. ¹³ These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. ¹⁴ But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. ¹⁵ So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.

Examine the scriptures:

2 Corinthians 11:7-15 NLT

Paul and the False Apostles (Part 2)

⁷ Was I wrong when I humbled myself

Greek culture measured the importance of a teacher by the fee he could command.

and honored you by preaching God’s Good News to you without expecting anything in return? 

Normal practice

Luke 10:4-7 NLT (Instructions from Jesus)
⁴ Don’t take any money with you, nor a traveler’s bag, nor an extra pair of sandals. And don’t stop to greet anyone on the road.
⁵ “Whenever you enter someone’s home, first say, ‘May God’s peace be on this house.’ ⁶ If those who live there are peaceful, the blessing will stand; if they are not, the blessing will return to you. ⁷ Don’t move around from home to home. Stay in one place, eating and drinking what they provide. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve their pay. 

1 Corinthians 9:4 NLT (Paul)
⁴ Don’t we have the right to live in your homes and share your meals?

 1 Corinthians 9:13-14 NLT
¹³ Don’t you realize that those who work in the temple get their meals from the offerings brought to the temple? And those who serve at the altar get a share of the sacrificial offerings. ¹⁴ In the same way, the Lord ordered that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it. 

• The normal practice, at the time when Paul was an apostle, was that those who preached the Good News were supported by those who benefited from the teaching.

Paul’s choice

1 Thessalonians 2:9 NLT
⁹ Don’t you remember, dear brothers and sisters, how hard we worked among you? Night and day we toiled to earn a living so that we would not be a burden to any of you as we preached God’s Good News to you.

2 Thessalonians 3:8 NLT
⁸ We never accepted food from anyone without paying for it. We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to any of you.

Acts 18:1-3 NLT
Paul Meets Priscilla and Aquila in Corinth
¹ Then Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. ² There he became acquainted with a Jew named Aquila … (and) his wife, Priscilla. … ³ Paul lived and worked with them, for they were tentmakers just as he was. 

• Paul preached God’s Good News to the Corinthians without expecting anything in return. 

⁸ I “robbed” other churches by accepting their contributions so I could serve you at no cost. 

Paul said it was like robbery when he took money from poor people (churches).

• Paul accepted financial contributions from other churches so that he could serve the Corinthian church at no cost to them.

⁹ And when I was with you and didn’t have enough to live on, I did not become a financial burden to anyone.

Philippians 4:11-13 NLT
¹¹ Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. ¹² I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. ¹³ For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. 

Learn how to be content with whatever you have. 

For the brothers who came from Macedonia (Silas and Timothy) brought me all that I needed. I have never been a burden to you, and I never will be. 

Philippians 4:15 NLT
¹⁵ As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. 

• Paul did not want to be a financial burden to the Corinthian church.

God provided.

¹⁰ As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, no one in all of Greece will ever stop me from boasting about this. 

 2 Corinthians 8:9 NLT
⁹ You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich. 

Review from the previous lesson:

Generally speaking, it’s wrong to boast.

However, if necessary, Paul will boast about his ministry (Paul’s boasting was in the Lord.)  to keep the Corinthian church from becoming corrupted. There is a Time for Boasting if it is Done Correctly.

In order to compare his own ministry with that of the false apostles who have invaded the Corinthian church, Paul has to speak about himself, which inevitably seems like foolish boasting.

• If necessary, Paul will boast about his ministry to keep the Corinthian church from becoming corrupted. 

¹¹ Why? Because I don’t love you? God knows that I do.

Paul’s refusal to accept financial support from the Corinthians may have embarrassed the Corinthians.

This verse suggests that the Corinthians felt that Paul did not love them.

Paul certainly loved the Corinthians.

Paul was the loving “spiritual” father wanting to protect his children. (Previous lesson)

¹² But I will continue doing what I have always done. 

• Paul stood his ground (refusing financial support from the Corinthians), which may not have felt like love to the Corinthians. 

This will undercut those who are looking for an opportunity to boast that their work is just like ours. 

• Unlike Paul, the false apostles were being supported by the Corinthian church. This made their work different from Paul’s work.

 ¹³ These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. ¹⁴ But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 

Don’t be surprised by false teachers.  They are deceitful workers disguised as apostles of Christ.

¹⁵ So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness.

• Paul described the false apostles at Corinth as servants of Satan.
• Paul was fighting a spiritual battle to protect the Corinthian church from corruption. 

In the end, they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.