The Rebuke of Paul

A Study on II Corinthians

The Rebuke of Paul

II Cor. 12:11-21

Introduction: Paul has been very patient with the Corinthians. He has written with a great love and concern for them. The first part of chapter 12, they were reminded of the ministry and what God done in Paul’s life. Chapter 11 they had forced Paul to be compared to the Judaizers who were false teachers. Paul was being forced to bend to their lowly state of spiritual maturity to answer their questions. Now Paul wants to instruct them on what is right.

There are times we listen to people in their spiritual immaturity but then God wants us to instruct them on to maturity. Not in a condescending way but loving.

The maturing process involves encouragement and rebuke. The church should be told both and how we can correct them.

There are three infractions.

I. Their disloyalty vv. 11-13

A. To principles v. 11

1. They should have been boasting about him rather than compelling him to boast.

“Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; A stranger, and not thine own lips.” (Proverbs 27:2)

2. Rather than requiring Paul to have to defend himself, they should have defended him.

3. The church should have given him the benefit of the doubt-the problem with many people today-they seem to never give others the courtesy of this truth.

4. The Corinthians knew him and his record quite well-though Paul made it clear he was nothing except God’s servant.

5. The principle is that we should defend God’s people and give them the benefit of the doubt.

B. To truth v. 12

1. God vindicated the work and message of Paul by doing amazing things which they saw.

2. These were sign gifts that pointed to the work of God in Paul’s ministry-they were no longer needed once the New Testament was completed.

3. They could identify him as an apostle because of these gifts.

C. To leadership v. 13

1. Paul had to persevere in the ministry at Corinth in spite of external persecution and internal problems.

2. He had cost the church nothing and they needed to understand that Paul’s heart was out of love and not for money.

3. By being inferior to other churches means they were different in that he would not receive any form of remuneration-this was a lighthearted to communicate to them.

II. Their ingratitude vv. 14-18

A. For his dedication vv. 14-15

1. They had gotten so accustomed to Paul’s ministry and the blessing of God working through him, they took advantage of him.

2. Nothing in Paul’s ministry was going to change, he did not choose to receive their money and support, but he does want them to be surrendered to the Lord.

3. In spite of his difficulties in Corinth, Paul had been faithful to visit them and he was now about to make his third visit.

4. Instead of being grateful, they criticized him for changing his plans-he felt the more he loved them and did for them, the less they loved him.

5. Paul was willing to spend and be spent for the church, and he was rebuking them for not being willing to pay the price for serving Christ in the ministry.

6. Paul was saying that as a father loves his children and wants children to love him back-Paul wanted them to love him back as a spiritual father.

B. For his sacrifice vv. 16-18

1. Paul was saying in v. 16 I am not after what you have but want them to serve Christ-an un grateful Christian struggles if he thinks all the preacher wants is money-giving is not to get your money but to get your heart.

2. Though some were accusing Paul of misusing the offering, he was making it clear that this was for the church of Jerusalem.

3. Neither he nor Titus has taken anything for themselves.

4. He was willing to make a sacrifice for the ministry.

III. Their carnality vv. 19-21

A. Unrepentant vv. 19-20a

1. Paul was coming to correct their sinfulness, but he expected them to still be unrepentant.

2. He wanted them to know that his visit was intended to strengthen them and help them.

3. This unrepentant spirit was going to destroy them.

4. He wanted them to understand that he would help them correct their problems-fear to deal with problems never repair problems.

B. Sins of the spirit v. 20b

1. Debates refer to quarreling-comes when a church is ingrown.

2. Wrath refers to sudden explosions of anger.

3. Envying refer to wanting something your way-my way or the highway.

4. Wrath refers to internal anger or grudge.

5. Strife is that which seeks to gain a following around a personal viewpoint.

6. Backbiting and whisperings -each seems to be a progression of a bad spirit-back biting tears down.

7. Swellings refer to proud Christians.

8. Tumult is the trouble that comes from groups of people in the church who are creating problems.

C. Sins of the flesh v. 21

1. Paul states they were letting their old life take over and he would come to correct it.

2. Uncleanness refers to moral impurity.

3. Fornication refers to all sexual immorality.

4. Lasciviousness means unbridled passions, those who have given up restraints to go into all types of sin.

5. Their understanding of God affected their morality.

Conclusion; Preaching is what God uses to show us our pathway and direction.