2 Corinthians 12: Content with Weakness

Transcription

1 SMALL GROUP STUDY GUIDES 2 Corinthians 12: Content with Weakness 2 Corinthians 12:9 My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness NOTE FOR LEADERS This document is intended to be used as a discussion guide, rather than a curriculum. As small group leaders, please feel free to lead through the topic as most appropriate for your group. HOUSEKEEPING Things going on at the moment to remind your group of: Combined Prayer Night Keperra Baptist Thursday 4 th June Prayer and Fasting Starting Thursday 4 th June & Concluding Friday Evening (5 th June) Project Lift Follow Up! This weekend, Mon 6 th June (Contact Tom B if you are able to help!) Significant Members Meeting 21 st June after morning tea Information Night for Membership 22 nd June 7pm (see Matt or Mike if you re interested!) Clothes Swap Save the Date Sat 29 th Aug

2 REFLECT This is a time to generate some discussion around the ideas in the sermon. Some ideas include: Ask the group to debrief for those who missed the sermon on Sunday. What stood out? Do you have any questions? Were there any special moments of clarity where God spoke to you clearly? Why is this important and worth discussion? THE BIG IDEA In the life of Paul we have a beautiful example of a humble and servant heart; a heart that had been so changed by the gospel that he could boast even in his weakness (v9). Paul has discovered the secret to contentment in all situations (Phil 4:11) and so could endure hardships, weakness and insults for the sake of Christ. In writing to the church in Corinth, although they had treated him shamefully and unfairly, Paul could still honestly say to them that he will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls (v15). Paul understood the sheer magnitude of the gospel and what it meant for how he saw himself, and others. Because of the work of grace in our lives, we too can have this peace and confidence in our hearts. Jesus has come to rescue us from our own strength, because it is only in our weakness that we are truly strong. Jesus came to rescues us from the tyranny of our need for success, because it is in our failure that we most clearly see his grace and power in us. Jesus has come to rescue us from our bitterness, anger and fear when faced with insults and rejection, because when I am weak, then I am strong (v 10). EXPLORE Let s dig a little deeper. Use the biblical text to discover what God reveals to us in his Word. RELEVANT SCRIPTURES 2 Corinthians 12:1-19 I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. 3 And I know that this man was caught up into paradise whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows 4 and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. 5 On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses 6 though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. 7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to

3 me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 11 I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing. 12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works. 13 For in what were you less favoured than the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong! 14 Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15 I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less? 16 But granting that I myself did not burden you, I was crafty, you say, and got the better of you by deceit. 17 Did I take advantage of you through any of those whom I sent to you? 18 I urged Titus to go, and sent the brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not act in the same spirit? Did we not take the same steps? 19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and all for your upbuilding, beloved. 2 Corinthians 11:16-28 I repeat, let no one think me foolish. But even if you do, accept me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little. 17 What I am saying with this boastful confidence, I say not as the Lord would but as a fool. 18 Since many boast according to the flesh, I too will boast. 19 For you gladly bear with fools, being wise yourselves! 20 For you bear it if someone makes slaves of you, or devours you, or takes advantage of you, or puts on airs, or strikes you in the face. 21 To my shame, I must say, we were too weak for that! But whatever anyone else dares to boast of I am speaking as a fool I also dare to boast of that. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they offspring of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one I am talking like a madman with far greater labours, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. 24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.

4 UNDERSTANDING 1. Getting Started: Read 2 Cor 11:16-28 (taking note especially of Paul s hardships v 24-28). What of Paul s experience surprises you most? 2. Paul says in 12:15 I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls to this church which had often treated him shamefully. a. Why could he say this? What changes a person s heart to be like this? b. What things get in the way of us reacting like this and having this attitude? 3. How can weakness be strength when those things are opposites? 4. What does it mean that God s power is made perfect in weakness? 5. What does it mean to boast of weakness? 6. The truth is that all of us will experience seasons of weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions and calamities. We will all experience animosity, loss and death. What does this passage give us to help us endure? What is Paul s attitude? 7. Why do we find this attitude so difficult to foster? What is it in us that wars against this contentment with weakness & suffering? APPLY Help your group identify how the truths from the Scriptures apply directly to their lives. Get group members to talk about the real life implications of the study. PRAY 1. Is there any immediate personal response to the sermon necessary for you? 2. Where is God calling you to spend and be spent for the sake of others souls? (e.g. humbling oneself in a hostile work environment, giving generously of your time and love to family who don t reciprocate etc.) 3. Is God calling you to any practical application? What positive steps can you take? Is there any active repentance necessary? 4. Matt said his reaction to insults and weakness was bitterness, unforgiveness & crippling depression. Do you resonate with this? What is you natural response to this kind of personal attack and failure? 5. What things get in the way for you personally for being spent gladly for the souls of others? 6. Consider deeply whether you are content with being weak (failure, mediocrity, rejection, significant personal loss, griefs of many kinds)? Consider this deeply in your heart. Remember, if you are not content with weakness, then you are not content with His grace! Close time in prayer. Praise Jesus that it is his strength at work in us, and that his power is displayed most clearly in our weakness. Pray that we would be content with that weakness and even boast of it as Paul did, so that we might see God s power at work in us. HELPFUL NOTES

5 2 Cor. 10:1 13:10 Paul s Appeal to the Rebellious Minority in Corinth. In the third major section of his letter, Paul directly appeals to those who are still rejecting his gospel and apostolic authority. For in his third visit, Paul will be forced to judge those who have not repented (10:6; 12:20 21; 13:1 10). 2 Cor. 11:16 18 In his arrogance the fool boasts in himself, not in the Lord (see 10:17 18), for which he is condemned (see, e.g., Ps. 14:1; 53:1 2; Prov. 9:13 18). Almost like a fool, Paul is about to boast a little in his own identity to make his point (see 2 Cor. 11:21b 23). Paul recognizes that he does so not as the Lord would (lit., not according to the Lord, i.e., not following out a direct command from the Lord) but as a result of the severe situation in Corinth in which many boast according to the flesh, i.e., according to a life lived devoid of the Spirit. But Paul s boasting is in what the Lord has done (2 Cor. 11:21b 12:21). 2 Cor. 11:20 21a strikes you in the face. A reference to the Jewish opponents insulting the Gentile Corinthians, probably by literally striking them (cf. John 18:22; Acts 23:2). All five actions listed in 2 Cor. 11:20 are signs of an arrogant, domineering attitude on the part of these false leaders. In another statement of irony or sarcasm, Paul says that he was too weak to act like his opponents. 2 Cor. 11:21b 33 Paul s Boast in His Service and Suffering. Although forced to boast by his opponents, and after a long justification of his doing so (vv. 1 21a), Paul finally and reluctantly boasts in his identity. In stark contrast to his opponents, however, Paul boasts at great length in his weakness as the appropriate way to glorify God s grace and power in one s life (v. 30; see 2:14 16a; 4:7 12; 6:3 10; 12:5 10). 2 Cor. 11:21b 23a Hebrews. A reference to Jewish ethnicity. Israelites. A reference to being God s chosen people under the old covenant. offspring of Abraham. A reference to being part of the new covenant people of God as well as being a true descendant of Abraham (see Rom. 9:6 9; 11:1 6; Gal. 3:8, 16, 29). Measured by his zeal for his heritage, Paul even claims to be a better servant of Christ than his opponents (see Gal. 1:14; Phil. 3:4 6). Because he is reluctant to speak of himself in this way, Paul downplays his qualifications, saying that he is speaking as a fool (2 Cor. 11:21b) and talking like a madman (v. 23a). In spite of his reluctance, however, Paul goes on to give a summary of what he has experienced, not for his own praise but for the upbuilding of the Corinthians (12:19), for the sake of the gospel (1 Cor. 9:23), and for the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31). 2 Cor. 11:25 26 beaten with rods. This was the Gentile punishment for disturbing the peace (Acts 16:22 23, 35 38; 22:25 29; 1 Thess. 2:2).Once, in Lystra, Paul was stoned (Acts 14:5 19), the most common form of execution in the Bible. three times I was shipwrecked. Of course, this would not include the shipwreck described in Acts 27, which occurred after Paul wrote this. Paul s description of shipwrecks and other dangerous aspects of his journeys aligns well with other ancient travel narratives, even if Paul s experiences were especially intense. Nautical archaeologists have identified many ancient shipwrecked boats around the Mediterranean. 2 Cor. 11:28 And, apart from other things summarizes the other physical sufferings Paul could have listed. anxiety for all the churches. See2:12 13.

6 2 Cor. 11:30 God triumphs amid human weakness, embodying the principle of Christ s crucifixion (1 Cor. 1:27; 2 Cor. 10:3; 12:5, 9; 13:4, 9). 2 Cor. 11:32 33 Paul s experience in Damascus shortly after encountering the risen Christ (Acts 9:8 25) took place under the Nabatean governor there during the reign of the Nabatean king Aretas IV (9 b.c. a.d. 40). Having to flee in a basket was a striking example of Paul s weakness (2 Cor. 11:30) as a result of being called to suffer for Christ s name (see Acts 9:16). 2 Cor. 12:1 13 Paul s Boast in His Heavenly Vision and Subsequent Weakness. Because his opponents boast in their spiritual experiences as well as in their ethnic identity, Paul is also forced to boast, however foolishly, in his own visions and revelations (see 11:1, 16; 12:11). But then in vv he returns one last time to boasting in his weakness, revealing the presence of a thorn in the flesh as the appropriate means for glorifying God s grace and power in his life and ministry. In vv he clearly states the principle behind this aspect of his self-commendation (1:3 11; 2:14 17; 4:7 12; 6:3 10; 11:23 33): Paul s earthly weaknesses, not his revelations, are to be the platform for demonstrating the Lord s power and grace. 2 Cor. 12:2 3 I know a man this man. Paul s hesitancy to boast of his visions is reflected in his use of the third person (as if it had happened to someone else). the third heaven (i.e., the highest; see 1 Kings 8:27; 2 Chron. 2:6; Neh. 9:6; Ps. 148:4). This phrase does not imply belief in a simplistic threestory universe but reflects a common sense distinction between (1) the atmosphere where birds can be seen to fly, (2) the higher area where the sun, moon, and stars can be seen, and (3) the unseen realm where God dwells. This third area is equated with paradise (Gk. paradeisos, a Persian loan-word used in the Septuagint to refer to the garden of Eden [see Gen. 2:8 10; 13:10; Isa. 51:3; Ezek. 28:13; 31:8 9] but in the NT to refer to a place of blessedness where God dwells [Luke 23:43; Rev. 2:7). Both terms would be recognized by Jewish readers as references to the realm of God s direct presence. fourteen years ago. Sometime between a.d , around Tarsus or Antioch, prior to his first missionary journey (Acts 9:29 30; 11:25 26). There is no other known record of this vision. 2 Cor. 12:7 a thorn was given me (by God, who is sovereign over all things) in the flesh, a messenger of Satan. The nature of this thorn or messenger is much disputed. The most frequently proposed possibilities include: (1) Paul s inner psychological struggles (such as grief over his earlier persecution of the church, or sorrow over Israel s unbelief, or continuing temptations); (2) Paul s opponents, who continued to persecute him (cf. Num. 33:55 and Ezek. 28:24, where thorns refer to Israel s enemies); (3) some kind of physical affliction (possibly poor eyesight, malaria fever, or severe migraine headaches); or (4) some kind of demonic harassment ( a messenger of Satan ). Most commentators cautiously prefer some form of the third view, since thorn in the flesh would seem to suggest a physical condition. 2 Cor. 12:8 Three times indicates that Paul has now finished praying for the thorn s removal, having received his answer from Christ (v. 9; cf. Jesus threefold prayer in Mark 14:32 41). 2 Cor. 12:9 10 My grace is sufficient. Paul says that God s grace is sufficient (in the present tense), underscoring the ever-present availability and sufficiency of God s grace, for Paul and for every

7 believer, regardless of how critical one s circumstances may be (cf. Rom. 8:31 39). my power is made perfect in weakness. Paul was not allowed to speak about his heavenly revelations (2 Cor. 12:4, 6) but he quotes Christ s declaration ( My grace is sufficient ) to underscore that his earthly weaknesses (not his revelations) would be the platform for perfecting and demonstrating the Lord s power. This is the main point of vv and the foundation of Paul s self-defence throughout 2 Corinthians. 2 Cor. 12:11 super-apostles. See note on 11:5 6. even though I am nothing. Paul was the least of the apostles, having persecuted the church (1 Cor. 15:8 9), and he owes everything to the grace and call of God in his life (1 Cor. 15:10; 2 Cor. 3:4 6). 2 Cor. 12:12 the signs of a true apostle among you with utmost patience. A reference to the work of the Spirit through Paul s ministry as seen in the conversion and gifting of the Corinthians (3:1 3), and seen too in Paul s Christlike behaviour, characterized by his endurance in adversity by the power of God (6:4; 10:1 12:10). with signs and wonders and mighty works. A threefold description of miraculous acts that accompanied and accredited the ministry of an apostle (see Rom. 15:18 19; Gal. 3:1 5). This triad ties God s saving work under the new covenant to the signs and wonders at the exodus, thus showing the continuity within redemptive history (e.g., Ex. 3:20; 7:3; 10:1 2; Num. 14:22; Deut. 4:34; Josh. 24:17; Ps. 105:27 36; Acts 7:36). 2 Cor. 12:13 With a kind of playful irony, Paul says that the only wrong he did the Corinthians was not asking them for money (see 11:9b 14 for the reason). 2 Cor. 12:14 13:10 Paul s Final Defense and Appeal to the Rebellious. In final preparation for his third visit (12:14; 13:1), Paul commends his apostleship one last time (12:14 21) and calls the rebellious to test the genuineness of their professed faith (13:1 10). 2 Cor. 12:14 15 for the third time I am ready to come to you. On his first visit Paul had planted the church at Corinth (Acts 18:1 18). His second visit was the painful visit (2 Cor. 2:1). Paul mentions one last time his refusal to burden the Corinthians financially (11:7 12; 12:13; see 1 Cor. 9:18) as the loving act of a spiritual parent for his children (1 Cor. 4:14 15; 2 Cor. 6:11 13; 11:11), since acting this way embodies his message and life as an apostle (2:17) and calls into question the claims of Paul s opponents (11:12, 20). 2 Cor. 12:16 18 crafty deceit take advantage. Paul emphatically rejects the idea that he used the collection to craftily take money from the Corinthians, since there is no evidence for such a charge. All of those who worked with Paul, including Titus, were men of unimpeachable integrity. 2 Cor. 12:19 Paul s self-defence is fundamentally for the Corinthians sake, not his own (see note on 10:8), and is pleasing to God, for he has been speaking in the sight of God. REFERENCE: Developed with the help of the following: ESV Study Bible, Crossway.