-9-
Who's the Boss?
Chapter 10:1-18
10: 1Now I am going to appeal to you personally, by the gentleness and kindness of Christ himself. Yes, I, Paul, the one who is “humble enough in our presence but outspoken when away from us”, (2) am begging you to make it unnecessary for me to be outspoken and stern in your presence.
After Paul's unique and powerful centerpiece in this letter … his talk about generosity, love for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are struggling financially, his talk about a Christian being one who keeps their word, he now turns to a topic that has been touched on from the beginning, but now he will deal with it in full force.
Paul discovered from Titus that many of the Corinthians, after reading Paul's first letter, had made a complete turn around. Paul was over-joyed at the news … he was so relieved from his fears that perhaps they had not obeyed his first letter. He was able to express joy for their attitude.
But he knew that not all of them had responded positively toward it. There was still a spirit of denominationalism going on. We don't know how large it was. We can assume that many of the 'Apollos' followers were guilty of this. But it was not only them … there were also those (probably those who used to be part of the Jewish faith) who believed that Paul was not an apostle. Their belief was that all apostles had to have been personally taught by Jesus1. Some likely believed that the number was to include only the original 12.
As far as they were concerned, Paul was neither. He came on the scene after Jesus had already completed his ministry and returned to heaven. Further, the number of Apostles was still 12. Judas, the betrayer had been replaced just before Pentecost … so, case closed... Paul was not an apostle.
The critics were cruel. The things they said about Paul and the way they said it … makes a person wonder if they really were truly born again believers. They criticized everything about him. They said that Paul could really sound brave and authoritative in a letter … but face to face … not so much. They called him weak. They probably even criticized his looks. There will be a bit more about this later.
Paul leads into this subject by 'explaining' his style of talking. He begins with ...
10: 1Now I am going to appeal to you personally, by the gentleness and kindness of Christ himself. Yes, I, Paul, the one who is “humble enough in our presence but outspoken when away from us”, (2a) am begging you to make it unnecessary for me to be outspoken and stern in your presence.
Paul is well aware of the remarks of these critics. He refers to them in the previous verse by quoting the words they used to describe him. Paul will mention later why he was gentle when he was with them in person. But here he is making it very clear … that he does not want to be forceful but if he has to .. he will.
As a kid I knew full well my mother's words … “Don't make me get the wooden spoon!” She was a quiet and gentle mother. But I felt the business end of that spoon more than once. Paul is saying the same things to the Corinthians who need to have their attitudes adjusted.
He goes on ...
(2b) For I am afraid otherwise that I shall have to do some plain speaking to those of you who will persist in reckoning that our activities are on the purely human level.
Paul alludes to another criticism here. These men were accusing Paul of being a 'nobody' when it comes to being connected with God. 'He is nothing, a nobody … just a human like anyone else, clearly not an apostle'.
He acknowledges being human … 3 The truth is that, although we lead normal human lives, … but he takes this opportunity to talk about what is really going on behind the scenes. the battle we are fighting is on the spiritual level.
He says, 4 The very weapons we use are not those of human warfare but powerful in God’s warfare for the destruction of the enemy’s strongholds.
It takes two to have an argument. A one-sided fight always seems so unfair. It would be like bullying. The critics of the apostle Paul would probably like a good fight. They are goading him with their remarks, but he is not throwing any mud back at them. If he used their tactics and fought back … that would be human warfare.
He explains that there is a much larger battle going on than just mincing words with his critics. What is making these so-called Christian men act out so hatefully against Paul? There is a 'spirit' involved - an invisible force, that even we Christians can be affected by … without ever knowing it. He says,
5 Our battle is to bring down every deceptive fantasy and every imposing defence that men erect against the true knowledge of God. We even fight to capture every thought until it acknowledges the authority of Christ.
We have heard, and perhaps often said, Hate the sin, but love the sinner. This is a little bit like that. Paul recognizes that deceptive thoughts and fantasies can have their origin with a demonic spirit. He primarily blames that spirit. But secondarily, he is saying that a person is responsible for listening – or not listening - to demonic spirits.
He also admits to the possibility that some of his critics are, as yet, unsaved. He will refer to them later as being false apostles. So, to 'separate the sheep from the goats', he says this:
6 Once we are sure of your obedience we shall not shrink from dealing with those who refuse to obey.
Once Paul arrives and begins dealing with the ones who are opposing him, even though he is dealing with invisible spirits, he is going to address the people right in the face. He is saying, 'Once we are sure of your obedience' … in other words, as soon as I find out how many of you will listen to what I am telling you right now, and as soon as I know that you have repented … I would like you to step out of the way, because I am going to face the rest of them and let them have it.
So this tells us that, even when evil spirits affect us, there is no time that we can say, “But it wasn't my fault! The Devil made me do it!” The truth is, we are responsible for what we allow to affect us. We can resist Satan and have him flee from us2. If we get tricked into listening to Satan, then we need a Christian brother or sister to come along side of us and tell what we are doing.
Those that do not repent … he will let them have it. How will he be able to tell who has or has not repented? Does he have to be a mind-reader? Not really, Jesus said: You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Mt 7:16
James said: Blessing and curses come out of the same mouth — surely, my brothers, this is the sort of thing that never ought to happen! Have you ever known a spring to give sweet and bitter water from the same source?
Have you ever seen a fig-tree with a crop of olives, or seen figs growing on a vine? It is just as impossible for salt water to produce fresh. Jas 3:10 -12
Paul said: 7 ¶ Do look at things which stare you in the face! So-and-so considers himself to belong to Christ. All right; but let him think again about himself, for we belong to Christ every bit as much as he.
Paul tell his critics, before they judge Paul, to take a look at themselves. He is asking them to ask and answer the question, What is salvation? Is it something earned? Is it something deserved? No. It is all by God's grace or favor which none of us deserved. We had all committed the sin of non-belief . We are all classed as unbelievers as long as we continue to think we can be decent enough or good enough to make it to heaven. It is a sin to think that way. It is a fatal sin to think that way.
If these enemies of Paul will do some honest self-evaluation and remember and admit that they were saved by God's undeserving grace, then they will be forced to admit that Paul is every bit as much saved as they are. Their attitude would need to shift as they acknowledge that Paul is their brother in Christ.
It is sad that Paul has to 'stand up for himself'. Where are some of the other Apostles? Why are they not here sticking up for Paul and setting the record straight? I suppose that they were all busy elsewhere. But in our present time, with all of the resources that we have, I think it is required of us 'stick up' for a brother or sister who is under attack … especially if they are under attack by some other Christian. Here is how it should be:
For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Ecclesiastes 4:10 ESVWe can speak words of comfort to those are really feeling put down, or pushed down.
Say to those who have an anxious heart, "Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you." Isa 35:4
Paul wants to make sure that the Corinthian brothers have a balanced conception of just who he is. He is a man with a gentle spirit at times … but he is an apostle with authority to correct and discipline as well.
Paul continues to talk to his Corinthian critics:
8 You may think that I have boasted unduly of my authority (which the Lord gave me, remember, to build you up not to break you down), but I don’t think I have done anything to be ashamed of. 9 Yet I don’t want you to think of me merely as the man who writes you terrifying letters. 10 I know my critics say, “His letters are impressive and moving but his actual presence is feeble and his speaking beneath contempt.” 11 Let them realize that we can be just as “impressive and moving” in person as they say we are in our letters.
In the previous chapter Paul used 'tongue in cheek' expressions. We might even say he used words that bordered on being sarcastic. The sarcasm that he uses now becomes even more apparent.By the way, Paul's 'critics' in the Corinthian church are given a name in most Bible commentaries. The name, or term given is 'Judaizers'. Judaizers are Christians who teach it is necessary to adopt Jewish customs and practices, especially those found in the Law of Moses, to be saved.
These Judaizers living in Corinth were probably those that Paul includes in his words about the divisions that were in the church. Some claimed to loyal followers of Paul, some of Apollos, some were a segment that just called themselves followers of Christ, and a fourth group who called themselves followers of Cephas. Cephas is a name given to the Apostle Peter. As far as we know, Peter never was a church leader in Corinth. So why is their a group of Cephas churches? These Cephas(Peter)/Judaizer groups would have come into being as one or several self-appointed Christian men came from Jerusalem to 'correct' the teachings of Paul.
News had filtered back to Jerusalem about this 'Paul guy' who was planting churches based on the teaching that the Law of Moses was fulfilled, completed, replaced by New Testament teaching that one is save by grace through faith … only. These self-appointed men did not represent what all Christians believed in Jerusalem. Many would have believed the same as Paul. But there were those who had their own view of the gospel. As was already mentioned, in their view, good works (Observing O.T. Laws) were required for salvation. They took it on themselves to 'fix' the wrong gospel that Paul was preaching. Corinth was not the only city that the Judaizers infested. They literally made missionary journeys along the same route that Paul had taken and systematically infected every church.
So what method of approach would a Judaizer make when attempting infiltrate a church? The Judaizers had formed an elite 'in-group' and written their own standard of credentials. This would be something like a doctrinal statement that they could sign their name to. They would appear with this letter as their credential. Their demeanor would be one of superior knowledge, and of using skilled speech and words. In a short time they would undermine Paul by suggesting that Paul had never measured up and had no letter of commendation. No credentials.
Paul sarcastically says, 12 ¶ Of course we shouldn’t dare include ourselves in the same class as those who write their own testimonials, or even to compare ourselves with them! All they are doing, of course, is to measure themselves by their own standards or by comparisons within their own circle, and that doesn’t make for accurate estimation, you may be sure.
Paul has been criticized for his being strong in his letter writing, but being weak in actual presence. In his writing of words, they agreed, Paul comes off as being strong. I think Paul is playing on that when he says 'we shouldn't dare ...'
It is like he is implying …. “I'm really brave in my letter writing? Yes, I suppose so … but I am not so brave as to do what they are doing! That would really take guts! The very idea scares me!”
13 No, we shall not make any wild claims, but simply judge ourselves by that line of duty which God has marked out for us, and that line includes our work on your behalf. 14 We do not exceed our duty when we embrace your interests, for it was our preaching of the gospel which brought us into contact with you.
Paul is addressing two extremes in this and the next verse. On the one hand he is saying that he is no 'Super Apostle' with fantastic success stories from all over the world. (Who knows what kind of resumes the Judaizers were presenting).
He says, “No, maybe not the whole world but … my sphere of influence, such as it is, includes you.”
But on the other side says, “Although some are saying that I have no right here, that I am overstepping my bounds … and why don't I just stay home … I want to affirm … my area does include Corinth.”
Paul says, it was our preaching of the gospel which brought us into contact with you. This is in contrast to the Judaizers … that is NOT what brought them here. They came as leaches bearing credentials.
He continues: 15 Our pride is not in matters beyond our proper sphere nor in the labours of other men. No, our hope is that your growing faith will mean the expansion of our proper sphere of action,
We are right where we belong, Paul says, and our 'territory' will grow as you grow. (By the way, they are already known as, not just Corinth, but as the churches of Achaia.) Our pride, he said, is not in the labours of other men … unlike the Judaizers whose ONLY claim to fame is to hone in on someone else's work.
Verse 15 ended with a comma. So let's get the whole thought …
your growing faith will mean the expansion of our proper sphere of action,
16 so that before long we shall be preaching the gospel in districts beyond you, instead of being proud of work that has already been done in someone else’s province.
Paul is criticizing the so-called ministry of the Judaizers. Paul says there is no comparison of his mission work and that of his critics… one group goes to existing churches and 'fixes' (actually ruins) them, while Paul and his group are breaking new ground.
17 But, He that glories, let him glory in the Lord. I like how 'the Message' says it; 2Co 10:17 "If you want to claim credit, claim it for God."
The Judaizers claimed credit for their achievements. It had something to do with their education, experience, training etc. Their charge was … “Paul doesn't have any background like we have”.
But Paul says, 18 It is not self-commendation that matters, it is winning the approval of God.
In another place Paul says, 1Co 9:27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
Paul worked hard at what he did … and he worked hard at what he should refrain from doing. It was for the simple reason that he did not want to be 'set-aside' at the end of the road. The King James version used the wording … lest I become a cast-away.
Paul wanted to serve well, right down to the end of his days. He called it running a race. “I run the race with determination. I am no shadow-boxer, I really fight!” 1Co 9:26
The writer of Hebrews said, Heb 12:1 ¶ Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Jesus said, Lu 19:12 "A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return.(this would be Jesus)
13 Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’
14 But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’
15 When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. 16 The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.’
17 And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’
18 And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.’
19 And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’
20 Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; 21 for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’
22 He said to him, ‘I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’
24 And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’
25 And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’
26 ’I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 27 But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.’"
This is quite a parable! These are Jesus' own words, given to make 'the end of our trail' have some meaning. Jesus included some severity. How the Christ-rejectors will be treated is severe. And how the servant who 'did nothing' will be treated also sounds very serious.
Serving well does not make you a servant. Accepting Jesus as Lord and Saviour makes you a servant. Serving well brings the commendation of Jesus at judgment day.
Paul looked at his ministry this way For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, Romans 11:13
He took his service to Jesus very seriously. And we should as well. Paul is not through talking about the Judaizers. He will have some things to say about them that will come to be very useful when we have to sort through the maze of so-called present day media Bible teachers and preachers.
But for now, we leave off recognizing that, as far as Corinth was concerned, Paul was the Boss. God put him in that position when He called him into service and said ... this man is my chosen instrument to bear my name before the gentiles and their kings, as well as to the sons of Israel. Acts 9:15
1 Ac 1:21 "Judas must now be replaced. The replacement must come from the company of men who stayed together with us from the time Jesus was baptized by John up to the day of his ascension, designated along with us as a witness to his resurrection."
2 James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
After Paul's unique and powerful centerpiece in this letter … his talk about generosity, love for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are struggling financially, his talk about a Christian being one who keeps their word, he now turns to a topic that has been touched on from the beginning, but now he will deal with it in full force.
Paul discovered from Titus that many of the Corinthians, after reading Paul's first letter, had made a complete turn around. Paul was over-joyed at the news … he was so relieved from his fears that perhaps they had not obeyed his first letter. He was able to express joy for their attitude.
But he knew that not all of them had responded positively toward it. There was still a spirit of denominationalism going on. We don't know how large it was. We can assume that many of the 'Apollos' followers were guilty of this. But it was not only them … there were also those (probably those who used to be part of the Jewish faith) who believed that Paul was not an apostle. Their belief was that all apostles had to have been personally taught by Jesus1. Some likely believed that the number was to include only the original 12.
As far as they were concerned, Paul was neither. He came on the scene after Jesus had already completed his ministry and returned to heaven. Further, the number of Apostles was still 12. Judas, the betrayer had been replaced just before Pentecost … so, case closed... Paul was not an apostle.
The critics were cruel. The things they said about Paul and the way they said it … makes a person wonder if they really were truly born again believers. They criticized everything about him. They said that Paul could really sound brave and authoritative in a letter … but face to face … not so much. They called him weak. They probably even criticized his looks. There will be a bit more about this later.
Paul leads into this subject by 'explaining' his style of talking. He begins with ...
10: 1Now I am going to appeal to you personally, by the gentleness and kindness of Christ himself. Yes, I, Paul, the one who is “humble enough in our presence but outspoken when away from us”, (2a) am begging you to make it unnecessary for me to be outspoken and stern in your presence.
Paul is well aware of the remarks of these critics. He refers to them in the previous verse by quoting the words they used to describe him. Paul will mention later why he was gentle when he was with them in person. But here he is making it very clear … that he does not want to be forceful but if he has to .. he will.
As a kid I knew full well my mother's words … “Don't make me get the wooden spoon!” She was a quiet and gentle mother. But I felt the business end of that spoon more than once. Paul is saying the same things to the Corinthians who need to have their attitudes adjusted.
He goes on ...
(2b) For I am afraid otherwise that I shall have to do some plain speaking to those of you who will persist in reckoning that our activities are on the purely human level.
Paul alludes to another criticism here. These men were accusing Paul of being a 'nobody' when it comes to being connected with God. 'He is nothing, a nobody … just a human like anyone else, clearly not an apostle'.
He acknowledges being human … 3 The truth is that, although we lead normal human lives, … but he takes this opportunity to talk about what is really going on behind the scenes. the battle we are fighting is on the spiritual level.
He says, 4 The very weapons we use are not those of human warfare but powerful in God’s warfare for the destruction of the enemy’s strongholds.
It takes two to have an argument. A one-sided fight always seems so unfair. It would be like bullying. The critics of the apostle Paul would probably like a good fight. They are goading him with their remarks, but he is not throwing any mud back at them. If he used their tactics and fought back … that would be human warfare.
He explains that there is a much larger battle going on than just mincing words with his critics. What is making these so-called Christian men act out so hatefully against Paul? There is a 'spirit' involved - an invisible force, that even we Christians can be affected by … without ever knowing it. He says,
5 Our battle is to bring down every deceptive fantasy and every imposing defence that men erect against the true knowledge of God. We even fight to capture every thought until it acknowledges the authority of Christ.
We have heard, and perhaps often said, Hate the sin, but love the sinner. This is a little bit like that. Paul recognizes that deceptive thoughts and fantasies can have their origin with a demonic spirit. He primarily blames that spirit. But secondarily, he is saying that a person is responsible for listening – or not listening - to demonic spirits.
He also admits to the possibility that some of his critics are, as yet, unsaved. He will refer to them later as being false apostles. So, to 'separate the sheep from the goats', he says this:
6 Once we are sure of your obedience we shall not shrink from dealing with those who refuse to obey.
Once Paul arrives and begins dealing with the ones who are opposing him, even though he is dealing with invisible spirits, he is going to address the people right in the face. He is saying, 'Once we are sure of your obedience' … in other words, as soon as I find out how many of you will listen to what I am telling you right now, and as soon as I know that you have repented … I would like you to step out of the way, because I am going to face the rest of them and let them have it.
So this tells us that, even when evil spirits affect us, there is no time that we can say, “But it wasn't my fault! The Devil made me do it!” The truth is, we are responsible for what we allow to affect us. We can resist Satan and have him flee from us2. If we get tricked into listening to Satan, then we need a Christian brother or sister to come along side of us and tell what we are doing.
Those that do not repent … he will let them have it. How will he be able to tell who has or has not repented? Does he have to be a mind-reader? Not really, Jesus said: You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Mt 7:16
James said: Blessing and curses come out of the same mouth — surely, my brothers, this is the sort of thing that never ought to happen! Have you ever known a spring to give sweet and bitter water from the same source?
Have you ever seen a fig-tree with a crop of olives, or seen figs growing on a vine? It is just as impossible for salt water to produce fresh. Jas 3:10 -12
Paul said: 7 ¶ Do look at things which stare you in the face! So-and-so considers himself to belong to Christ. All right; but let him think again about himself, for we belong to Christ every bit as much as he.
Paul tell his critics, before they judge Paul, to take a look at themselves. He is asking them to ask and answer the question, What is salvation? Is it something earned? Is it something deserved? No. It is all by God's grace or favor which none of us deserved. We had all committed the sin of non-belief . We are all classed as unbelievers as long as we continue to think we can be decent enough or good enough to make it to heaven. It is a sin to think that way. It is a fatal sin to think that way.
If these enemies of Paul will do some honest self-evaluation and remember and admit that they were saved by God's undeserving grace, then they will be forced to admit that Paul is every bit as much saved as they are. Their attitude would need to shift as they acknowledge that Paul is their brother in Christ.
It is sad that Paul has to 'stand up for himself'. Where are some of the other Apostles? Why are they not here sticking up for Paul and setting the record straight? I suppose that they were all busy elsewhere. But in our present time, with all of the resources that we have, I think it is required of us 'stick up' for a brother or sister who is under attack … especially if they are under attack by some other Christian. Here is how it should be:
For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Ecclesiastes 4:10 ESVWe can speak words of comfort to those are really feeling put down, or pushed down.
Say to those who have an anxious heart, "Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you." Isa 35:4
Paul wants to make sure that the Corinthian brothers have a balanced conception of just who he is. He is a man with a gentle spirit at times … but he is an apostle with authority to correct and discipline as well.
Paul continues to talk to his Corinthian critics:
8 You may think that I have boasted unduly of my authority (which the Lord gave me, remember, to build you up not to break you down), but I don’t think I have done anything to be ashamed of. 9 Yet I don’t want you to think of me merely as the man who writes you terrifying letters. 10 I know my critics say, “His letters are impressive and moving but his actual presence is feeble and his speaking beneath contempt.” 11 Let them realize that we can be just as “impressive and moving” in person as they say we are in our letters.
In the previous chapter Paul used 'tongue in cheek' expressions. We might even say he used words that bordered on being sarcastic. The sarcasm that he uses now becomes even more apparent.By the way, Paul's 'critics' in the Corinthian church are given a name in most Bible commentaries. The name, or term given is 'Judaizers'. Judaizers are Christians who teach it is necessary to adopt Jewish customs and practices, especially those found in the Law of Moses, to be saved.
These Judaizers living in Corinth were probably those that Paul includes in his words about the divisions that were in the church. Some claimed to loyal followers of Paul, some of Apollos, some were a segment that just called themselves followers of Christ, and a fourth group who called themselves followers of Cephas. Cephas is a name given to the Apostle Peter. As far as we know, Peter never was a church leader in Corinth. So why is their a group of Cephas churches? These Cephas(Peter)/Judaizer groups would have come into being as one or several self-appointed Christian men came from Jerusalem to 'correct' the teachings of Paul.
News had filtered back to Jerusalem about this 'Paul guy' who was planting churches based on the teaching that the Law of Moses was fulfilled, completed, replaced by New Testament teaching that one is save by grace through faith … only. These self-appointed men did not represent what all Christians believed in Jerusalem. Many would have believed the same as Paul. But there were those who had their own view of the gospel. As was already mentioned, in their view, good works (Observing O.T. Laws) were required for salvation. They took it on themselves to 'fix' the wrong gospel that Paul was preaching. Corinth was not the only city that the Judaizers infested. They literally made missionary journeys along the same route that Paul had taken and systematically infected every church.
So what method of approach would a Judaizer make when attempting infiltrate a church? The Judaizers had formed an elite 'in-group' and written their own standard of credentials. This would be something like a doctrinal statement that they could sign their name to. They would appear with this letter as their credential. Their demeanor would be one of superior knowledge, and of using skilled speech and words. In a short time they would undermine Paul by suggesting that Paul had never measured up and had no letter of commendation. No credentials.
Paul sarcastically says, 12 ¶ Of course we shouldn’t dare include ourselves in the same class as those who write their own testimonials, or even to compare ourselves with them! All they are doing, of course, is to measure themselves by their own standards or by comparisons within their own circle, and that doesn’t make for accurate estimation, you may be sure.
Paul has been criticized for his being strong in his letter writing, but being weak in actual presence. In his writing of words, they agreed, Paul comes off as being strong. I think Paul is playing on that when he says 'we shouldn't dare ...'
It is like he is implying …. “I'm really brave in my letter writing? Yes, I suppose so … but I am not so brave as to do what they are doing! That would really take guts! The very idea scares me!”
13 No, we shall not make any wild claims, but simply judge ourselves by that line of duty which God has marked out for us, and that line includes our work on your behalf. 14 We do not exceed our duty when we embrace your interests, for it was our preaching of the gospel which brought us into contact with you.
Paul is addressing two extremes in this and the next verse. On the one hand he is saying that he is no 'Super Apostle' with fantastic success stories from all over the world. (Who knows what kind of resumes the Judaizers were presenting).
He says, “No, maybe not the whole world but … my sphere of influence, such as it is, includes you.”
But on the other side says, “Although some are saying that I have no right here, that I am overstepping my bounds … and why don't I just stay home … I want to affirm … my area does include Corinth.”
Paul says, it was our preaching of the gospel which brought us into contact with you. This is in contrast to the Judaizers … that is NOT what brought them here. They came as leaches bearing credentials.
He continues: 15 Our pride is not in matters beyond our proper sphere nor in the labours of other men. No, our hope is that your growing faith will mean the expansion of our proper sphere of action,
We are right where we belong, Paul says, and our 'territory' will grow as you grow. (By the way, they are already known as, not just Corinth, but as the churches of Achaia.) Our pride, he said, is not in the labours of other men … unlike the Judaizers whose ONLY claim to fame is to hone in on someone else's work.
Verse 15 ended with a comma. So let's get the whole thought …
your growing faith will mean the expansion of our proper sphere of action,
16 so that before long we shall be preaching the gospel in districts beyond you, instead of being proud of work that has already been done in someone else’s province.
Paul is criticizing the so-called ministry of the Judaizers. Paul says there is no comparison of his mission work and that of his critics… one group goes to existing churches and 'fixes' (actually ruins) them, while Paul and his group are breaking new ground.
17 But, He that glories, let him glory in the Lord. I like how 'the Message' says it; 2Co 10:17 "If you want to claim credit, claim it for God."
The Judaizers claimed credit for their achievements. It had something to do with their education, experience, training etc. Their charge was … “Paul doesn't have any background like we have”.
But Paul says, 18 It is not self-commendation that matters, it is winning the approval of God.
In another place Paul says, 1Co 9:27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
Paul worked hard at what he did … and he worked hard at what he should refrain from doing. It was for the simple reason that he did not want to be 'set-aside' at the end of the road. The King James version used the wording … lest I become a cast-away.
Paul wanted to serve well, right down to the end of his days. He called it running a race. “I run the race with determination. I am no shadow-boxer, I really fight!” 1Co 9:26
The writer of Hebrews said, Heb 12:1 ¶ Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Jesus said, Lu 19:12 "A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return.(this would be Jesus)
13 Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’
14 But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’
15 When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. 16 The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.’
17 And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’
18 And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.’
19 And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’
20 Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; 21 for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’
22 He said to him, ‘I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’
24 And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’
25 And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’
26 ’I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 27 But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.’"
This is quite a parable! These are Jesus' own words, given to make 'the end of our trail' have some meaning. Jesus included some severity. How the Christ-rejectors will be treated is severe. And how the servant who 'did nothing' will be treated also sounds very serious.
Serving well does not make you a servant. Accepting Jesus as Lord and Saviour makes you a servant. Serving well brings the commendation of Jesus at judgment day.
Paul looked at his ministry this way For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, Romans 11:13
He took his service to Jesus very seriously. And we should as well. Paul is not through talking about the Judaizers. He will have some things to say about them that will come to be very useful when we have to sort through the maze of so-called present day media Bible teachers and preachers.
But for now, we leave off recognizing that, as far as Corinth was concerned, Paul was the Boss. God put him in that position when He called him into service and said ... this man is my chosen instrument to bear my name before the gentiles and their kings, as well as to the sons of Israel. Acts 9:15
1 Ac 1:21 "Judas must now be replaced. The replacement must come from the company of men who stayed together with us from the time Jesus was baptized by John up to the day of his ascension, designated along with us as a witness to his resurrection."
2 James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.