Explore the Bible Lesson Preview August 29, 2010 "Relationships: The Improvement Factor" Background: 2 Corinthians 10:1-13:13 Lesson: 2 Corinthians 10:1-3, 15-18; 12:14-21 Motivation: What is required to serve God? Paul lists a reputation worth defending, a warfare worth engaging and a calling worth suffering. O ur ministry must be a spiritual ministry that requires spiritual warfare; spiritual weapons and a spiritual work ethic. Examination: I. Seeking to Build Up (10:1-18) A. Paul's Defense of His Integrity (10:1-11) 1. Attitudes "meekness and gentleness of Christ" (1) Answering one's critics in a Christian manner requires the proper attitudes. 2. Actions "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh " (3) a. Spiritual Warfare Requires Spiritual Weapons "For the weapons of our warfare 1 / 17
are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds." 1. Carnal weapons include the desire for control, the tendency to contrast with others and the desire to co mplain. 2. Spiritual weapons are listed by Bruce Wilkinson of Walk Thru the Bible: a) Surrender (Rom. 6:13) b) Supplication (Jer. 33:3) c) Spirit (John 14:26) d) Scripture (Heb. 4:12) (Eph. 6:17 "Sword of the Spirit") e) Speaking the Truth (Eph. 4:15) b. Spiritual Warfare Requires Spiritual Soldiers 1. "pulling down strongholds" (4) - Bruce Wilkinson in his seminar "Teaching for Lifechange" defines a hold as "a castle that protects a lie that the person believes to be the truth." strong Bible teachers have an import mission to "speak the truth in love" (Eph. 4:15). 2 / 17
In order to pull down strongholds of deceit, Jesus said "... you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32, 36; Gal. 5:1) 2. "casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God." (5) - Our spiritual weapons are able to overcome the arguments that rationalize wrong behavior. In order to become conformed to His image, we must have our way of thinking transformed. (Rom. 12:2) 3. "bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" (5) - Jesus talked about the power of imagination in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:22, 27-28). Taking thoughts captive with our spiritual weapons is a whole lot easier if we don't allow reinforcements to bolster those wrong thoughts! 4. "being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled" (6) Pa ul paints a vivid word picture of a soldier in the heat of battle: pulling down...casting down...taking captives...and punishing disobedience. Military law during times of war can be quite harsh. Deserters are shot; disobeying an order becomes a much more serious crime. Paul instructs Timothy to " "endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ " (2 Tim. 2:3). We are soldiers under authority in a spiritual war; obedience must be a top priority! 3. Appearances "Do you look at things according to outward appearance?" (7) Bel 3 / 17
iever's Study Bible, p. 1659: " 10:10 Opponents of Paul at Corinth had engaged in an abusive attack against the apostle. While the Corinthians admitted that Paul's letters were weighty and powerful, they noted that his bodily presence was less than imposing, and his speech was not at all compelling. However, Paul assures his critics that his actual presence would be as profound as were his epistles (v. 11)." (2 Cor. 5:12; I. Sam. 16:7) B. Paul's Desire for the Lord's Commendation (10:12-18) 1. Comparisons "For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. " (12) The false teachers were always ready to build themselves up and to tear Paul's reputation down. To his credit, Paul is not willing to stoop to their level. In fact, he subtly reminds us that the only valid comparison is to Jesus Christ. 2. Calling "within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us" (13) Paul understands who he is and what God has called him to do. (5:20) For his ministry, Paul gives God the glory (I Cor. 10:31). Knowing that the ministry is God's, Paul sees no reason to exaggerate what has been accomplished. 3. Commendation "For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends " (18) Paul is constantly aware that Christ is his judge (5:9-11). Ultimately, he writes, the judgment of the false teachers on Paul or on themselves really doesn't matter. The only approval we need is that of our Lord. 4 / 17
II. Conveying Concerns (11:1-20) A. Paul's Defense and Counterattack (11:1-15) "a little folly" (1) sets the tone for Paul's defense. His discourse is laden with irony, sarcasm and parody. (Jude 3) As much as he dislikes taking up for himself, he feels compelled to do so in order to defend the true gospel. For the false teachers have attacked Paul in order to undermine the gospel he preached. 1. Paul as a Spiritual Father (2-4) (Jude 24-25; I Cor. 2:14) 2. Paul as a Servant (5-11) a. Modest "untrained in speech" (6) Paul sat at the feet of Gamaliel (Acts 22:3) and received excellent training. Judging by the churches he established, he was an accomplished communicator. Yet, a servant never tries to build his own reputation but rather that of his Master. b. Humble "humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge?" (7) Paul accepted support from other churches (8-9); however, in the battle with the greedy false teachers of Corinth, he felt led to accept no compensation. c. Motivated "Why? Because I do not love you? God knows!" (11) Paul had previously declared "... the love of Christ compels us 5 / 17
." Paul acted as a servant, not to advance his own agenda, but because of his overwhelming love for the Corinthians and for God. 3. Paul as an Apostle "But what I do, I will also continue to do." (12) cf. 5 B. Paul's Struggle Against False Teachers (11:16-20) - Believer's Study Bible, p. 1660: 1 1:16-21 "Paul resumes an argument here similar to that of vv. 1-4. The text is again full of ironic sarcasm, especially when Paul recounts the abuse the Corinthians endured from the false teachers, for which he himself was too weak. They were: (1) brought into bondage, (2) devoured, (3) abused, (4) subjected to the observation of arrogant false apostles, and (5) struck on the face. This last imposition may be metaphorical, though some take it literally (cf. I Tim. 3:2, 3)." III. Appealing to Logic (11:21-12:13) A. Hardships Suffered by Paul (11:23-29). This is the third of three "hardship lists." B. Paul's Boasting of His Weakness (11:30-33) As opposed to the false teachers who boasted of their accomplishments, Paul writes " must boast, I will boast of the things which concern my infirmity " (30) The example of his Damascus rescue that follows (cf. Acts 9:10-19) seems to provide a word picture of a helpless Paul rather embarrassingly escaping his enemies in a basket (sort of like a dumb waiter). If I Many have talked or written concerning Noah's ark as a picture of grace (Gen. 6:8, first mention 6 / 17
of grace); along the same line of reasoning, Paul's basket could also be a picture of grace : C. Paul's Special Vision (12:1-6) Although written in the third person, this passage refers to Paul's experience in heaven. D. Paul's Thorn in the Flesh (12:7-9) 1. Sin "lest I should be exalted above measure" (7) Notice that the thorn was not caused by sin but rather was allowed to prevent sin. Paul believed that this besetting problem actually prevented him from being caught up in pride. 2. Source "a messenger of Satan" - The Bible sometimes attributes physical illness to Satanic attacks (Job 2:7; Luke 13:16). N ote that this is not the norm and that it does not make the recipient less spiritual. 3. Symptoms "to buffet me" - The serious nature of this "thorn in the flesh " is demonstrated by Paul's language. The very word " thorn " ("stake") implies severe pain. Early church historians Jerome and Tertullion believed that Paul's ailment was "severe and prostrating headaches" (Barclay, 258). The word "buffet" is also translated " discipline " or " bruise 7 / 17
" and describes serious consequences. Many have theorized that it had something to do with his eyes (Acts 23:2-5; Galatians 4:14-15, 6:11). Various commentators have also suggested hysteria, depression, malaria, leprosy or a speech impediment (10:10) (I Cor. 2:1-7). 4. Supplication "Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me " (8) - Many people teach that sufficient faith always heals, so illness is always lack of faith. Example and teaching show the heresy of that position. (2 Tim 4:20) Three truths: a. God can provide healing - Paul went to Him as his source. (James 5:14-15) b. God honors multiple requests - Going back a second and third time did not demonstrate a lack of faith in Paul's first prayer. (Luke 18:7) c. God Always answers prayer - Sometimes the answer is "no," sometimes "slow," and sometimes its "grow" and sometimes "go." 5. Strength "My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness " (9) The silence concerning Paul's "thorn" is significant. God's Word doesn't want us to think that His grace is only sufficient for that one " thorn." Looking at Paul's life, this becomes an amazing statement. 8 / 17
E. The Lesson Paul Learned (12:9-10) "Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. " Here may be the perspective that marks the truly mature Christian: " My strength is made perfect in weakness... for when I am weak, then I am strong ". (9b-10b) James writes " My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." (James 1:2) Paul described the maturation of our faith: tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope." (Rom. 5:3-4) Bad things will happen to good people. Too often we want to dwell on "Why?" The more appropriate question is "What now?" Consider tribulations to be a lab session in the deeper spiritual life. As we've often said, circumstances either make you bitter or better. What does not kill you makes you stronger. (Matt. 6:33-34; John 16:33) F. Final Defense of Integrity (12:11-13) 1. Character Does Not Boast of Itself "I have become a fool in boasting; you have compelled me " (11) Beware of the person who is eager to tell you how great they are. Paul defends himself reluctantly feeling that the Corinthians should have taken up for him against the false prophets. (Ps. 75:5-7) 9 / 17
2. Character is Ultimately Revealed by Deeds "signs and wonders and mighty deeds " (12) Paul's walk backed his talk. 3. Character Goes the Extra Mile "I myself was not burdensome to you" (13) - Paul states that he did everything in Corinth that was expected of an apostle except one thing - he didn't receive an offering. Paul went the extra mile to prove to the Corinthians that his heart was right toward them (as opposed to the greedy false prophets). That this act of generosity could be turned against him by the false prophets ("You get what you pay for"), has now caused him grief. " Forgive me for this wrong?" (13) IV. Establishing Issues (12:14-21) A. Parental Concern for the Corinthians (12:14-18) Paul makes one last attempt to answer his critics in these verses. Paul had already invested two visits in the Corinthians; now he will be with them a " third time " (14). Critics we will have with us always. In Paul's example, we have an excellent resource in answering our own critics. 1. Answer Critics By Going the Extra Mile "And I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. " ; (14) When someone criticizes us, our first reaction is to withdraw. 10 / 17
In a defensive reaction, we often recoil from the pain of criticism and then plan a means of retaliation. Jesus provided a new strategy: " But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also... And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two... " (Matthew 5:39, 41) As far as we know, Corinth is the only church from which Paul refused financial support. Paul supported himself only because he wanted to avoid being classified with the greedy false teachers. He answered critics by going the extra mile. 2. Answer Critics with Christ-like Love "For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls. " (14b-15) Long after people forget what you say or do, they'll remember the spirit in which you do it. The most disarming thing we can do toward our critics is to always react with love. Paul literally says that he's like a father to the Corinthians. He treated them like a parent and gave to them as a parent would. Paul is only following his own instructions to love which he had previously written in I Corinthians 13. 3. Answer Critics with the Understanding That They May Never be Satisfied "Tho ugh the more I love you, the less I am loved " (15) Something of the human emotions Paul was feeling comes out in these verses. Earlier he had written " our heart is wide open " (6:11) and had issued the plaintive plea " 11 / 17
open your hearts to us " (7:2). One of the most difficult things in the Christian life is to love unconditionally with no hope of returned love. It's much easier to go the second mile and to love if we feel we will win our critics over. Paul had learned that the harder he tried, the less he seems to have to show for it. In spite of this, he continued to love! 4. Answer Critics for Those Who Represent You "Did Titus take advantage of you? " (18) B. Fear of Persistent Sinning (12:19-21) In our initial week of study, we learned of the sinfulness of Corinth. It was a major center of trade, and the site of a major temple of Aphrodite, the pagan goddess of love. In I Corinthians 6:9-11, Paul wrote " Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortionists will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you..." (Eph. 2:1-7) The rampant sinful culture was a constant challenge to the Corinthian church. (Gen. 6:5-11; Matt. 24:37) The " were " of I Corinthians becomes " be " of verse 20. Paul was afraid of a relapse into past sins. (Ps. 19:12-13; Heb. 12:1-2) 1. Sins of Division - Whereas most of the sins of I Corinthians had to do with the external culture, the emphasis here is on attacks upon internal unity such as contentions and selfish ambitions. 12 / 17
2. Sins of Reproach - To the sins of division, Paul adds three other sins that would bring dishonor not only on the individual Christian but also to the church as a whole such as fornication and lewdness. V. Willing to Confront (13:1-13) A. Warning to the Impertinent (13:1-4) Paul writes of the discipline that would be administered to sinful members. It would not be based on gossip but on the testimony of " two or three witnesses " (1). If the Corinthian church felt him to be weak, his visit would show the power of Christ in him. Notice Paul's paradigm for ministry: "crucified in weakness" - Christ's ministry was one of submission to His Father's will. (Phil. 2:8) "He lives by the power of God" - The resurrected Christ claimed "all power ". (Matt. 28:18 "For we are weak in Him" - Paul wrote of this in the context of his "thorn&q uot;. (12:7-10) "but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you." - This is a restatement of " I but Christ " in Gal. 2:20. not 13 / 17
As Andrae Crouch wrote "All I am or ever hope to be, I owe it all to Thee." (Eph. 3:20) B. Challenge to Examine Themselves (13:5-6) Believer's Study Bible, p. 1663: 13:5 "This verse is not intended to rob believers of the assurance and security of their salvation. It is, however, intended as a warning to those who would follow false teaching and adopt a life-style that is inconsistent with the message of reconciliation (cf. 12:20, 21). To persist in either activity is a cause for serious introspection and a testing to see whether or not one is truly in the faith.' "One must be a possessor rather than a mere professor. C. Prayer That They Do Right (13:7-10) Three prayer requests for the Corinthians: 1. "Refrain from Sin "do no evil" - Sin destroys our fellowship 2. Request for Honor "do what is honorable" Gary Smalley defines honor as "love put into action." 3. Rely on Jesus "you may be made complete" Paul assures them in verse 10 that his goal is " edification&qu ot; not " destruction " (Col. 2:9-10) D. Final Appeals and benediction (13:11-14) 14 / 17
1. Blessing "Become complete" - Don't be half-hearted; don't be lopsided. Become well rounded in Christ. "Be of good comfort" - This was the opening theme in 1:3-7 aimed at many suffering Christians. "Be of one mind" - Right thinking comes from transformation (Romans 12:2) Christians can be of one mind when that mind is Christ's. (Phil. 2:5) "God...be with you" - Jesus promised this in Matt. 28:20. (Heb. 13:5) 2. Badge "Greet one another with a holy kiss" - Kenneth Taylor paraphrases it " Greet each other warmly in the Lord ". Christians should genuinely be glad to see one another! 3. Benediction - Jehovah Witnesses deny the Trinity and argue that it only exists in a couple of New Testament verses. To the contrary, a Trinitarian view is interwoven throughout Scripture: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ" "The love of God" 15 / 17
"The communion of the Holy Spirit" Herein we have three wonderful blessings available to all believers: grace, love and fellowship. Application: 1. The reputation of a Christian is to be defended against criticism. 2. The repentance of a Christian is to be demonstrated against sin. 3. The review of a Christian is in God's hands. Leader Pack Item 20: Poster: Improving Relationships; Illustrator: p. 64, "Paul & Boasting" Notes: **You may access David's Lesson Preview in MP3 format at: http://www.hfbcbiblestud y.org/ ; Dates: 2010 Dates: 8/25-11/17 - Fall Midlink; 8/29 - Summit Up; 9/5 - Labor Day Weekend - Normal Sched. w/ SBS; 9 /6 - Church Offices Closed; 9/6 - Summit Field Day; 9/7 - Living Proof Bible Study; 16 / 17
9/10 - Summit First Things First; 9/11 - Faithful Fathering; 9/12 - New & Pros. Mbr. Orient. FSC am / CC pm; 9/17 - HFBC Night at the Astros; 9/17-18 - Single Parent Family Camp; 9/18 - Shaping Your Child's Sexual Character; 9/19 - Parent Commitment; 9/24 - Celebrate Recovery Concert; 9/26 - SBS Leadership Lunch; 10/3 - Lord's Supper in Services. 17 / 17