2 Cor 11:16-21 • From Accusation to Affection Pt. 4

Review & Overview

1. Previous Study’s Review

In Chps.10-13: Paul deals those who brought accusations against him because of his 1st letter that exposed their sins...

So far we’ve looked 3 accusations:

1. His Motive: you’re in the flesh...

2. His Authority: who do you think you are...

3. His Love: the thought was, Paul you don’t love us... you don’t care for us... or you wouldn’t write about us...

We saw that Paul answered this charge by comparing his love for them... to a father’s love for his children...

Point: If a father Loves his children he warns them... disciplines them... corrects them... because he does Loves them...

Paul dealt with 2 aspects of his Love:

1. Paul’s Jealous for the Church Vs. 1-4

2. Paul’s Service to the Church Vs. 5-11

3. Paul’s Warning to the Church Vs. 12-15

2. Current Study’s Overview

This brings us to vs.16 where Paul continues this idea of a Fathers Love for his Children. Read…

Now we see Paul proves his love for the Church in his Boasting.

That is the 4th way we see Paul’s love for the church: Through His Boasting Vs. 16-22

Paul’s Boasting is to Connect with the Church Vs. 16 & 18

Paul’s Boasting is Foolish Vs. 17

Paul’s Boasting Exposes the Fools Vs. 19-21

1. Paul’s Boasting is to Connect with the Church Vs. 16 & 18

4 times in these 3 verses Boast or Boasting is used: it’s translated... glory... glorying...

If you receive the foolishness & the boasting of the false apostles who only bring glory to themselves.

You might as well receive me too... because I have something to boast about too...

The false apostles were boasting in the flesh, they were boasting about how wonderful & spiritual they were

But Paul will boast in his infirmities... or weakness… vs.30 as to help the church... not himself...

So in Paul’s boasting, we see his motives were pure... & his heart was right...

Paul is addressing a situation in Corinth where false apostles boasted about their achievements and lineage to gain credibility and influence.

In response, Paul uses irony and what he calls "foolish boasting" to highlight the absurdity of the false apostles' claims and to draw attention to the true nature of apostolic ministry.

Paul's "boasting" is a rhetorical strategy to counter the false apostles.

He turns the boasting upside down by focusing on his weaknesses, sufferings, and the ways God has worked through his challenges, rather than his strengths or achievements.

This approach is meant to contrast the true Christian message with the false teachings and self-exalting of the others.

Paul is mimicking their methods and he aims to expose the falsehoods of the other teachers and redirect the focus to Christ's power in weakness, which is a central theme of his ministry.

You are going to see in the upcoming sections that Paul boasts in his weaknesses, in his trials, and in the ways God has worked through his hardships.

APPLICATION: In a world that often values strength, success, and conformity, Paul's message stands in contrast.

He reminds us that our faith is not a call to align with the expectations or norms of our surrounding culture. Rather, it is a call to truthfully represent the Gospel, which often means acknowledging our weaknesses and vulnerabilities.

This is a challenging but there is freedom to that truth.

In our weaknesses, we are not called to despair, but to rely on God's strength.

It's in our limitations that God's power is most vividly displayed. When we are weak, then we are strong – not by our own might, but through the grace and power of God working within us. Turn to…

2 Corinthians 12:9–10 “9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

APPLICATION: As believers, our journey is not about presenting ourselves as perfect or adapting our message to fit comfortably within the norms of our society.

It is about being authentic, about bearing witness to the transformative power of Christ in our lives, even – and especially – in our imperfections.

We should embrace the truth and find the courage to be vulnerable, to share our struggles and how God is working through them.

In doing so, we offer a compelling testimony of God's grace and power. Our lives become a living Gospel, not conforming to the world, but transforming it through the truth of Christ's love and power.

2. Paul’s Boasting is Foolish Vs. 17 & 21b

Paul is not speaking as an example set by the Lord... Paul is speaking to them as a fool...

Proverbs 26:5 NKJV

5 Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.

But is all boasting foolish? Is there a time to boast?

Jeremiah 9:23–24 NASB95

23 Thus says the Lord, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; 24 but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord.

Psalm 44:8 NKJV

8 In God we boast all day long, And praise Your name forever. Selah

APPLICATION: What about the Lord can you boast about? Are you creating experiences with the Lord to the point where you can boast of Him to your friends and family?

Because listen, I would rather 100% boast of the things God does in and around me than what I do.

ILLUSTRATION: Boast about the things the Lord has done for me and through me!

Salvation story

purpose

family

3. Paul’s Boasting Exposes Fools Vs. 19-21

It would seem there is a bit sarcasm here... look at vs.4...

The Corinthians were putting up with others as it pertains to what they were doing to them. 4 things:

vs.20a, Legalism: bondage: only 2... to in bondage... to be enslaved… speaks of adding works to the finish work of Jesus on the cross…

the very thing the false apostle & Judaizers were doing…

We need to be very careful not to put up with those who are adding works to the gospel...

vs.20b, Exploitation: devour & take from taking advantage… ripping them off…

devour is the same word in Luke 20:47 Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for devouring widows’ houses.

Luke 20:47 NKJV

47 who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”

APPLICATION: Don’t put up with those who take advantage of others... & don’t care about others...

vs.20c, Exaltation: the false apostle were building up themselves… exalting themselves…

They had holier then thou attitude & were lording over the people...

Matthew 20:25 NKJV

25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them.

vs.20d-21, Intimidation: Paul is probably not referring to physical abuse... but verbal abuse…

These false apostles were very abusive... barking out orders... very demanding...

APPLICATION: Paul was so concerned for them, he wasn’t going to put up with it… nor should we…

But like Paul we need to make sure our motives are pure... & our approach is right...

Not condemning & harsh like the false apostles who were holier then thou… / but with love...

ENDING….…