Paul's defense comes to an end

Does your life demonstrate your faith? Does your life reveal your heart and your love? Paul’s does and even when it is hard words it is said and done in love.

I think that we have seen as we have studied these letters (epistles) to the Corinthians that Paul found it necessary to defend his and the other apostles authority as apostles.

He did so in:

Demonstrating his sacrificial ministry

Demonstrated by not using God given authority at times

Demonstrated by speaking the truth in love, even when it was difficult.

In that day the authority of Paul and the Apostles was challenged. In these days authority of scripture itself is challenged as well as matters of faith, the necessity and eternal nature of faith and of eternal life.

Here is what we are going to attempt to accomplish this morning.

A look and a pull from the text (2Cor12:11-21)

Signs of an apostle

Paul’s love for the church

A look at the text

As we look at the text I think you will notice Paul’s words show love and concern for the church and maybe even a little angst as he prepares to visit them again.

2 Corinthians 12:11–12 NASB95

11 I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me. Actually I should have been commended by you, for in no respect was I inferior to the most eminent apostles, even though I am a nobody. 12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles.

2 Corinthians 12:13–14 NASB95

13 For in what respect were you treated as inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not become a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong! 14 Here for this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I do not seek what is yours, but you; for children are not responsible to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.

2 Corinthians 12:15–16 NASB95

15 I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less? 16 But be that as it may, I did not burden you myself; nevertheless, crafty fellow that I am, I took you in by deceit.

2 Corinthians 12:17–18 NASB95

17 Certainly I have not taken advantage of you through any of those whom I have sent to you, have I? 18 I urged Titus to go, and I sent the brother with him. Titus did not take any advantage of you, did he? Did we not conduct ourselves in the same spirit and walk in the same steps?

2 Corinthians 12:19–20 NASB95

19 All this time you have been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you. Actually, it is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ; and all for your upbuilding, beloved. 20 For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps there will be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances;

2 Corinthians 12:21 NASB95

21 I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, immorality and sensuality which they have practiced.

What do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you?

What is the problem that Paul identifies in (v.11)? (hint something they should have done)

They should have commended him, and in stead they have made him foolish.

In (v.12) Paul identifies the marks of a true apostle that they were all aware of, what are they?

They are with all perseverance, signs, wonders and miracles.

What does Paul seek for them, and why (v.14)?

Seeks for them, not from them.

For parents look out and save up for their children.

Now there is more in here and we will get more into it, but jump down now a few verses

In (v.20) Paul speaks of his fear, can you see what it is?

They they would not be what you wish and then gives a list of sinful qualities.

In (v.21) Paul gives more fears, this time regarding himself, what are they?

That God would humiliate him.

That He may come to mourn those who have not repented

I think the key verse in this section is found in (v.20) let me give you another version of it

2 Corinthians 12:20 NKJV

20 For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults;

(Transition) so with all that in mind may we move on to our next section the signs of a true apostle.

Signs of an apostle

Paul’s defense, his argument is laced with sarcasm due to the nature of the accusations he has been defending throughout the letter. Look at his argument in this section.

Point one: You have compelled me to boast (defend) myself (v.11)

Paul is flabbergasted that he is having to even defend himself, they are making a fool out of him, causing him to boast when they should be commending.

Point two: I have done all the things as the other apostles, I bear the same marks (v.12)

Paul knows the marks, the distinguishing marks of a true apostle and knows they were done before them

Point three: Inferior, you treated inferior? No way!

Then in sarcasm he he states if inferior it was he was not burdensome to them. So, forgive me for this wrong?

Remember Paul worked, labored when he was there night and day so not to be a burden on them.

(Transition) So, Paul is a little frustrated in all of this, having to spend time defending himself to the Corinthians when he could be carrying the gospel further.

Now it does not change his love for them as a spiritual father to them. He has love, care, concern and worry too as any parent would. It comes as he prepares to come to them again.

Paul’s love for the church

Paul wraps up his defense by displaying, expounding on his love, his care, and yes some concern he has for them.

As I think I mentioned earlier there is not much new information found in this passage. what we do see is his preparation for his 3rd visit to them and he has love, care and concern for them. he is afraid for them

2 Corinthians 12:20 NASB95

20 For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps there will be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances;

I told you that was a key verse in this passage and we are going to break apart that verse in a minute, but first look at Paul’s heart in the preceding verses.

I seek you! (v.14)

2 Corinthians 12:14 LEB

14 Behold, this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you. For I am not seeking your possessions, but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.

I will give it all for you (v.15)

2 Corinthians 12:15 LEB

15 But I will spend and be expended most gladly for your lives. If I love you much more, am I to be loved less?

Paul was willing to die for them, to give everything he had for them.

I have not taken advantage of you (vv.16-17)

2 Corinthians 12:16–17 LEB

16 But let it be. I have not been a burden to you, but because I was crafty, I took you by cunning. 17 I have not taken advantage of you through anyone whom I sent to you, have I?

Paul here is using irony, sarcasm to make the point of his love. He did not trick them or use any crafty means to get them to respond to the gospel. He taught the gospel and they believed it and responded to it.

I sent you messengers with the same spirit (v.18)

2 Corinthians 12:18 LEB

18 I urged Titus to go, and I sent the brother with him. Titus did not take advantage of you, did he? Did we not conduct ourselves in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same footsteps?

Titus and the brother sent with him walked the same way we did and he did not take advantage of you either.

I do not do it in defense but in Christ for your edification (v.19)

2 Corinthians 12:19 LEB

19 Have you been thinking all this time that we are defending ourselves to you? We are speaking in Christ before God, and all these things, dear friends, are for your edification.

All this was really for their good not to make himself or the other apostles to look good but for them to learn and to grow in Christ before God.

(Transition) Now that brings us to Paul being afraid, maybe having some angst for them as he prepares to go see them again.

(Do not read the verse, have done that previously, but put on the screen and leave it there as go on)

2 Corinthians 12:20 NKJV

Oh, how he lest to come and find them as I wish (v.20)

Paul lists some possible vises he is in fear of finding and hoping he does not find in them when he comes. These things are personal things that can destroy the church. These are things that are contrary to the characteristics of the first church born on Pentecost that you can read about in (Act2:40-47) you can read that passage on your own.

I would like to look at these vises for just a few minutes.

Contentions: (N) A struggling together in opposition, a striving in rivalry (conflict, combat, disagreement, dissension)

Jealousy: (N) resentment, zeal against a rival, mental uneasiness. in the Greek it is the twin word for strife (one who has zeal for oneself, one’s own side)

Outbursts of wrath: (N) strong, stern, or fierce anger; deeply resentful indignation, This outburst is not just the deep settled resentment this is the anger of a short-fused person who acts out in the slightest provocation.

Selfish-ambition: the background of this combination word describes a self-seeking political candidate. In looking more into this here is what I found.

The word most commonly translated into occurrences of the English word “ambition” is actually a Greek word denoting selfish-ambition. eritheia: a desire to put one's self forward; self-seeking pursuit of political office by unfair means

backbiting: (V) to attack the character or reputation of someone who is not present; to speak unfavorably or slanderously.

Whispering: (N) rumor, hearsay, gossip

Conceits: (N) an excessively favorable opinion of one's own ability, importance; in other words to be puffed up, swelled up in one’s self

Tumults: (N) violent and noisy commotion or disturbance of a crowd or mob; uproar; a general outbreak, riot, uprising, or other disorder:

What a list and Paul was genuinely concerned that he may show up and find these things. Then he finish’s off with this.

2 Corinthians 12:21 NLT

21 Yes, I am afraid that when I come again, God will humble me in your presence. And I will be grieved because many of you have not given up your old sins. You have not repented of your impurity, sexual immorality, and eagerness for lustful pleasure.

The heart of a true apostle has been displayed as uncomfortable as I’m sure him writing this to them, it was for their good. His hope, his desire was that when he got there, there would be none of these things there. All of these things can destroy a church that should be united and of one mind and heart as seen in act2.

Acts 2:40–41 NASB95

40 And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” 41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.

Acts 2:42–43 NASB95

42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.

Acts 2:44–45 NASB95

44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.

Acts 2:46–47 NASB95

46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

(expand)

If they have all things in common, they will not have the things we just listed. Look at the results of having all things in common again.

They all had the same belief, Jesus is the Christ and in Him there is forgiveness of sins for the one who repents and is baptized (v.38)

They did not have need for everyone looked out for each other.

They continued with one mind, daily, spending time with one another with gladness and sincerity of heart.

Because they did those things above they had favor with all people.

And the Lord adds to the numbers daily those being saved, why? Because they had all things in common and that all things was Jesus who made everything else possible.