Paul's Defense
Lessons From 2 Corinthians • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Introduction
Introduction
Greetings…
Paul, having concluded his discussion on the collection for the saints Paul now turns his attention to his own defense here in our text for today, in 2 Corinthians 10.
This is especially pertaining to his conduct and authority as an apostle of Jesus Christ and then sets forth a direct response to those who where is detractors.
Paul’s Explanation
Paul’s Explanation
In Meekness & Gentleness.
In Meekness & Gentleness.
Let’s read 2 Corinthians 10:1-2.
2 Corinthians 10:1 (ESV)
1 I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away!
With great emphasis Paul stresses that he himself is pleading with them by the meekness and gentleness of Christ.
Apparently some of them seem to have misread Paul’s humility in person as weakness, and that only when he was away from them he was bold.
However, Paul sets that straight by explaining that the reason he was so bold in his last letter was that he was hoping “not to have to be bold” in person then.
2 I beg of you that when I am present I may not have to show boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh.
The apostle then points out that though he “walks in the flesh” like everyone else his weapons are not of the flesh but of the spirit.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 6 being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.
Paul has laid down the gauntlet so to speak, as those who would challenge his apostleship must be prepared to fight the spiritual war Paul is willing fight.
In other words, if people were going to challenge Paul’s apostleship, they would be challenging the truth of God’s word which had confirmed he was indeed an apostle.
When people challenge the truth of God’s word today we don’t need to use silver speech or cunning remarks.
We have the truth and it is sufficient to destroy the lies on its own.
The weapon of truth is sufficient to destroy strongholds (well established lies).
The weapon of truth is sufficient to destroy arguments and opinions that exalt things above God.
The weapon of truth is sufficient to bring every thought captive and into obedience to Christ.
The weapon of truth is sufficient to bring punishment to every disobedience.
Summary
Summary
The apostle Paul wasn’t worried about what these men, he would call “false apostles” later in chapter 11, thought.
Paul had the truth on this side.
This is why he then sets for his defense.
His Response
His Response
Judging Outward Appearances.
Judging Outward Appearances.
Some were apparently judging Paul on his outward appearance.
That while he sounded “big and tough” in his writings he was physically weak and contemptible.
7 Look at what is before your eyes. If anyone is confident that he is Christ’s, let him remind himself that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we. 8 For even if I boast a little too much of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be ashamed.
2 Corinthians 10:9–11 (ESV)
9 I do not want to appear to be frightening you with my letters. 10 For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account.” 11 Let such a person understand that what we say by letter when absent, we do when present.
Imagine the arrogance these particular brethren had.
Because they did not like “Paul’s tone” they laughed, mocked, and belittled an apostle of the Lord’s church.
Paul makes it clear that he is the same person whether in their presence or in their absence.
Again, Paul makes it clear that he does not wish to be bold to their face but if necessary he will “withstand them to their face as he did Peter.”
Paul then makes it evident some of the other things his detractors were doing.
They were…
Boasting About Accomplishments.
Boasting About Accomplishments.
It would appear that these men and maybe women took pride in comparing themselves with others.
Not only is this unwise and simply not biblically sound it is foolish to boot.
There will always be someone more accomplished then us.
Paul certainly fit that mold.
He worked harder than everyone for the Lord including but not limited the other apostles.
10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.
Let’s read 2 Corinthians 10:12-18 now.
2 Corinthians 10:12–13 (ESV)
12 Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding. 13 But we will not boast beyond limits, but will boast only with regard to the area of influence God assigned to us, to reach even to you.
14 For we are not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach you. For we were the first to come all the way to you with the gospel of Christ. 15 We do not boast beyond limit in the labors of others. But our hope is that as your faith increases, our area of influence among you may be greatly enlarged,
15 We do not boast beyond limit in the labors of others. But our hope is that as your faith increases, our area of influence among you may be greatly enlarged, 16 so that we may preach the gospel in lands beyond you, without boasting of work already done in another’s area of influence.
2 Corinthians 10:17–18 (ESV)
17 “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 18 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
Boasting about one’s accomplishments was a waist of time against the apostle not only for its foolishness but because this is the apostle Paul after all.
Notice Paul starts by pointing out that there boasting was “without understanding.”
12 Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.
He then points out that his boasting needs to look no further than his coming to Corinth and teaching them the saving gospel.
They are his boasting in the Lord.
Imagine trying to make yourself look better in arrogance than the apostle Paul and he turns around and says to you…
My boasting is in that fact that I so thankful I was able to teach you the gospel, that I am able to try and help you get to heaven by increasing your faith with my influence, and that you will help me help others find what you found.
2 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)
13 But we will not boast beyond limits, but will boast only with regard to the area of influence God assigned to us, to reach even to you.
2 Corinthians 10:14 (ESV)
14 For we are not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach you. For we were the first to come all the way to you with the gospel of Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:15–16 (ESV)
15 We do not boast beyond limit in the labors of others. But our hope is that as your faith increases, our area of influence among you may be greatly enlarged, 16 so that we may preach the gospel in lands beyond you, without boasting of work already done in another’s area of influence.
Summary
Summary
What a defense of his apostleship.
Conclusion
Conclusion
What a model for us to use.
When someone gets angry at us for telling the truth, let us simply as the apostle Paul say…
My only hope is in your salvation and that you will help me help others find salvation as well!!!
Invitation
1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; 2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.
6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.