Paul has been the object of much scorn, ridicule, abuse and evil criticism.

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1 Introduction Paul has been the object of much scorn, ridicule, abuse and evil criticism. In this chapter Paul points to his sincerity and service (vv.1-15); and now his sincerity and suffering (vv.16-33). In the first half of the chapter Paul recounts his motives for service (vv.1-6) and the rewards of service (vv.7-11); and a brief look at the counterfeits of service (vv.12-15). Paul now adopts the arguments of the critics and turns them on their head. Paul s critics are master s of ridicule! The critics of Paul were proud, immature, carnal, bragging and boasting, making every effort to raise themselves up--and put Paul down! Paul points out--do they have something to boast about? So does he. Do they have a record of accomplishment? So does he. The critics of Paul bragged about their credentials (vv.16-21a). Paul argues they used their credentials to harm the believers in Corinth. Paul used his credentials to help the believers (v. 21b-22). How did Paul characterize his credentials? Jealousy for the church (vv.1-6); generosity towards the church (vv.7-21); and sufferings for the church (vv.22-33). The Minister s Appeal To Be Received And Heard (vv.16-21) The Minister s Heritage (v.22) The Minister s Labor And Suffering (vv.23-29) The Minister s Close Call (vv.32-33) The Minister s Appeal To Be Received And Heard (vv.16-21) 2 Corinthians 11: (NKJV)16 I say again, let no one think me a fool. If otherwise, at least receive me as a fool, that I also may boast a little. Paul hopes the reader will not think him a fool; but in case the reader decides to allow for the possibility he might be a fool--paul begs indulgence. Who are Paul s critics? They are Jews (see v.22). They claim impressive credentials and outstanding resumes. They were more attractive than Paul--better preachers than Paul. Paul will do what Paul hates to do--boast about himself. He apologizes up front. But verse 20 explains why it is necessary. 17What I speak, I speak not according to the Lord, but as it were, foolishly, in this confidence of boasting. There are two possible meanings to this passage; (1) Paul s words are truly inspired but these words were not given by command of the Lord or (2) Paul s boasting--is not what Jesus would 1

2 do--the Lord never boasts. I think it more likely that Paul is acting in what seems like foolishness engaging in self-glory--but it is a necessary exercise in order to help the Corinthians spot phony teachers. 18Seeing that many boast according to the flesh, I also will boast. Paul will adopt the strategy of his critics--but with a twist. 19For you put up with fools gladly, since you yourselves are wise! Yes--Paul is not above adopting satire or irony or ridicule to make a point. The Corinthians considered themselves to wise to be taken in by foolishness! 20For you put up with it if one brings you into bondage, if one devours you, if one takes from you, if one exalts himself, if one strikes you on the face. What kind of a person (teacher minister) were the Corinthians willing to put up with? It s obvious from the texts both before and after--these are the Judaizers! The false apostles-- putting them in bondage--the bondage of the law (Acts 15:10). These false teachers were teaching that Jesus was not enough--they needed something more than Christ to insure salvation--the people must obey the law of Moses! What does Paul mean by, if one devours you? I think it means swallow them--financially! I think it means making financial demands--material demands. The false teachers were not motivated by a deep love for the saints--but rather for financial gain. The expression if one takes from you reads literally if he takes you captive --this is a metaphor from hunting or fishing--the way a hunter bags game or the fisherman has the fish on the line--these men were predators--and the Corinthians were their prey! Paul writes if one strikes you (slaps you) on the face--is this a literal slap? Perhaps not literally--but the idea is the Corinthians--were willing to be insulted--abused--in the false teachers willingness to assert authority or take authority--an authority never given by Jesus! The Corinthians were being mislead and mistreated! Why in the world would these Corinthians put up with this kind of abuse from false teachers and yet they were unwilling to heed the tender warnings--the loving warnings--the truthful warnings from the Apostle Paul? Doesn t in amaze you that people will put up with these kind of abuses from those who embrace false doctrine and false teachers? 2

3 Why do people allow abuse? How could the Corinthians have been so deceived? The Judaizers seemed to have all the elements of a sincere and biblical faith! Today s false teachers seem to incorporate elements of Biblical Christianity! But they are wolves in sheep s clothing! 21To our shame I say that we were too weak for that! But in whatever anyone is bold I speak foolishly I am bold also. Do you see the irony? The satire? To our shame I say that we were too weak for that? For what? To abuse the Corinthians! Phillips translates this; I am almost ashamed to say that I never did brave strong things like that to you. Paul in effect is saying; Is that really strength? Then let me be weak. Were the false teachers bold? Then let me be bold! Moffat translates this; But let them vaunt as they please, I am equal to them (mind, this is the role of a fool!) Can you imagine a congregation saying to their pastor--go ahead--hurt us! Abuse us! Take advantage of us! Just don t leave us! Remember the challenge Paul faces-- is Paul a true apostle? What are your credentials? How do you confirm your calling? Show me your diploma? Paul show me your letter from Peter or James or John. Show me your Bible certificate or Seminary diploma. Paul does not give a laundry list of his ministerial accomplishments, skills, journeys, testimony s of changed lives or a list of church plants! The Minister s Heritage (v.22) 2 Corinthians 11:22 33 (NKJV)22Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. On the surface the critics seemed to have all the right credentials. But they do not have the most important credentials--the ones that matter in the sight of God. The false teachers left the Corinthians with the impression that Jewish ancestry is a big deal. Jewish roots are more likely to bring God s favor. Does Jewish ancestry make ministry more legitimate? Were these Jewish teachers holding on to Jewish practices a little too tight? 3

4 Was it useless to boast in Jewish ancestry? As far as God was concerned was there any difference between Jew and Gentile? Slave or free? Are all equally sinners saved by grace through faith in Christ alone? Did the lineage of the false teachers give them a superior standing to the Corinthians? If so-- there was no advantage over Paul! Are these the things that prove apostolic authority? They did not have a proper understanding of the Gospel of Grace and the Word of God. There was no evidence of sincere hearts and a true love for God and for the people of God! Paul continues with a series of proof for his ministerial credentials. And none of them include his outstanding achievements! Why doesn t Paul talk about a personal appearance from Jesus? How about the author of inspired Scripture? Paul speaks of pain--suffering and hardship! Look at Paul s resume. He includes--defeat, disappointment, pressure, pain, weakness, need, hurt--lots of hurt. What in the world is Paul doing? Why in the world would Paul---wanting to help the Corinthians abandon their associations with the charismatic characters from Judea incorporate this line of thinking? Paul isn t trying to impress the reader--he is trying to illustrate a point! Paul is painting a picture of that the true servant of Christ looks like--so the Corinthians will not be taken in by the phony substitute! What does that include? Paul does not deny the fact that ministry involves pain and pressure! Paul does not market his misery. The critics pressed him--and that s what leaked out. We get the impression that Paul is reluctant to speak of these things. Paul doesn t give us a theological treatise on they whys of suffering. He doesn t analyze or moralize or apologize. The Minister s Labor And Suffering (vv.23-29) 23Are they ministers of Christ? I speak as a fool I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. What does it mean to be a minister? Does it include labor? Yes. And suffering? Yes. Paul points to labor and suffering. Meaningful, practical committed labor goes a long way to silencing the critics. Paul never forgot that he was a follower of the suffering Servant Jesus. Paul never forgot that he must expect the same treatment as his Master. William McDonald writes; Paul reckoned that the more faithfully he served Christ and reproduced the Savior, the more abundantly he would suffer at the hands of men. To him 4

5 suffering was the mark or badge of Christ s servants. Though he felt like a fool in thus boasting, necessity demanded that he speak the truth, and the truth was that these false teachers were not noted for their suffering. They chose the easy path. They avoided reproach and persecution and dishonor (p.131). McDonald points out that perhaps Paul felt for these reasons the critics in Corinth were in a poor position to attack him as a servant of Christ. The Minister s Resume (v.23b-29) in labors more abundant --this includes the scope of his missionary journeys--he traveled everywhere to make Jesus know. is stripes above measure these are beatings from which Paul received from Jew--Roman-- Greek--heathen--pagan. in prisons more frequent --the only imprisonments recorded--at least at this point in Paul s career--is Acts 16:23--where Paul and Silas are thrown into prison in Philippi. Now we learn-- that wasn t the only time. Paul was no stranger to incarceration--and dungeons. in deaths often --What is Paul thinking? How many times--did I barely escape with my life? Paul had a close call in Lystra--(Acts 14:19). How many times was Paul beaten and left for dead? 24From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. The Jewish Law required that corporeal punishment could not exceed forty strips (Deut.25:3). In order to not break the Law--it was not uncommon for the Jews to inflict 39 lashes. This punishment was only given to those the Government officials deemed guilty of grave crimes. 25Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; The only case mentioned in the New Testament was the punishment at Philippi (Acts 14:9). The stoning was so severe--that Paul s body was dragged out of the city--and he was left for dead. Three times--ship wrecked--not all the trials were at the hands of men--some were overwhelming circumstances--none of the shipwrecks are recorded--and the shipwreck recorded in Acts 27--is yet to take place as of this writing! A night and a day I have been in the deep --Paul gives no explanation. Does the deep refer to a dungeon or the sea? If means the ocean was Paul literally in the deep or on a raft? It would appear that however he managed to survive it was a miracle of God! 26in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 5

6 Look at the small phrase in journeys often All you have to do is look at the back of your Bible and look at the maps of Paul s missionary journeys! What we sometimes forget was just how primitive travel conditions were in the first century. The Perils Of Paul Paul goes on and lists different types of perils which he encountered. (1) Perils of waters--swollen rivers and streams (2) Perils of robbers--the routes Paul travelled were infested with highway robbers (3) Perils from countrymen--jews--as well as heathens committed to impeding Paul s ministry (4) Perils in the city--lystra, Philippi, Corinth, Ephesus-- (5) Perils in the wilderness--those thinly populated areas of Syria--and Asia Minor Turkey-- (6) Perils in the seas--storms, hidden rocks, perhaps pirates. (7) Perils from false brethren--jewish legalists posing as Christian teachers 27in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness The list continues; weariness--fatigue--toil--real work--tentmaking--jobs along the way. 28besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. What other things? Paul has spoken of the things--on the outside--and now Paul speaks of the things on the inside. The steady burden of all the Christian churches that God had placed in his care. Do you find it odd that Paul places this at the end of his list? Paul is a Pastor. He loves and cares for the congregation. He is no hireling. He is a true undershepherd of Jesus Christ. Someone has said, Church making is heart breaking. Church mending is never ending. 29Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation? What is Paul saying? When he hears about the infirmity and weakness of someone in trouble it makes him weak. When he hears about someone who has been stumbled, he himself is stumbled. He endures the sufferings of others with a profound sympathy. If he learns that some brother or sister has been stumbled--he burns with indignation! What affects the people of God affects him. He sorrows in their tragedies and rejoices in their triumphs. 6

7 30If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity. And all of these things takes its toll. And so Paul choses not to boast in his apostolic accomplishments; not in dreams and visions; not in writings and converts, not in gifts or abilities. He will boast in weakness, in reproach, indignities, imprisonments, scars. How are we to think about the perils of Paul? 31The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. It is easier to suffer in silence if you are sure someone is watching. Some are familiar with the story of Adoniram Judson--the famous missionary to Burma. He endured unspeakable hardships in trying to reach people for Jesus Christ. For 7 heartbreaking years he suffered hunger and deprivation. During this time he was thrown into Ava Prison and for 17 months was subjected to incredible mistreatment. As a result, for the rest of his life he carried the ugly marks made by the chains and iron shackles which had cruelly bound him. The hardships did not serve to dissuade Judson. Upon his release he asked for permission to enter another province where he might resume the preaching of the Gospel. The godless ruler indignantly denied his request, saying, My people are not fools enough to listen to anything a missionary might say, but I fear they might be impressed by your scars and turn to your religion (Henry G. Bosch). The Minister s Close Call (vv.32-33) 32In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me; 33but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands. Why does Paul bring up this brush with death? Why does Paul bring up this close encounter of the terminal kind? It might of been the most humiliating episode in Paul s life up to that point. The whole incident is recorded in Acts 9: After Paul s conversion near Damascus Paul took it upon himself to preach the gospel to the synagogues in the city. At first his preaching aroused curiosity--than outrage. The Jews plotted to kill him. They set a watch at the gates day and night hoping to apprehend him. 7

8 The disciples took the apostle, put him in a basket--and lowered him over the wall of the city where he was able to make his escape. It was a source of shame and ridicule. Paul was willing to be viewed as a coward--in order to serve the Lord Jesus. Did the critics accuse of Paul of cowardice? After all who wants to follow a coward? Paul could be accused of many things but the charge of cowardice does not ring true. Paul may have simply pointed out that very powerful people were interested in making it impossible for Paul to minister. God in grace and mercy allowed Paul to be delivered from the hands of people intent on permanently stopping Paul s ministry. Paul does not point to meetings with kings and governors. Conclusion Hast Thou No Scar by Amy Carmichael Hast thou no scar? No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand? I hear thee sung as mighty in the land, I hear them hail thy bright ascendant star, Hast thou no scar? Hast thou no wound? Yet, I was wounded by the archers, spent. Leaned me against the tree to die, and rent By ravening beasts that compassed me, I swooned: Hast thou no wound? No wound? No scar? Yet as the Master shall the servant be, And pierced are the feet that follow Me; But thine are whole. Can he have followed far Who has no wound nor scar? 8