Slices
Prepare
‘Glorify the Lord with me: let us exalt his name together’ (Psalm 34:3).
Bible passage
7 You are judging by appearances. If anyone is confident that they belong to Christ, they should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as they do. 8 So even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of it. 9 I do not want to seem to be trying to frighten you with my letters. 10 For some say, ‘His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing.’ 11 Such people should realise that what we are in our letters when we are absent, we will be in our actions when we are present.
12 We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. 13 We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the sphere of service God himself has assigned to us, a sphere that also includes you. 14 We are not going too far in our boasting, as would be the case if we had not come to you, for we did get as far as you with the gospel of Christ. 15 Neither do we go beyond our limits by boasting of work done by others. Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our sphere of activity among you will greatly expand, 16 so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. For we do not want to boast about work already done in someone else’s territory. 17 But, ‘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.
Explore
When Samuel was sent to anoint the future king of Israel, he thought Eliab looked the part, but God said, ‘The Lord does not look at the things people look at’ (1 Samuel 16:7). Some Corinthians made a similar mistake in assessing Paul’s outward appearance (v 10). Paul continues his defence against the criticisms of the ‘super-apostles’ (see 2 Corinthians 11:5) who had become influential in Corinth. They were experts in self-promotion (v 12) but did not look beyond their own circle. They gave the impression of being authoritative but only looked to each other. They dismissed Paul because he was not outwardly impressive.
There have always been false teachers, full of self-importance. What characteristics would enable you to identify an authentic God-ordained teacher? While some wanted to belittle him, Paul’s aim is to build up others (v 8). If Paul is going to boast about any part of his ministry, it is about the Corinthians (v 13). If they criticise Paul’s work, what does it say about the church in Corinth, a product of his labours?
In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14–30) the two servants who have wisely used treasure entrusted to them receive the commendation, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’ The only commendation which matters to Paul is that from the Lord, not self- commendation (v 18).
Respond
Look out today for opportunities to ‘boast in the Lord’. What would you tell others about him?
Deeper Bible study
...but let those who boast boast about this: that they understand and know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness.’1
We should always remember that every story has two sides. As regards all that was happening in Corinth we only have one side – Paul’s. We entertain the possibility that Paul may be being a tad unfair. This said, we incline towards giving him the benefit of the doubt, not least because he was clearly the target of serious misrepresentation.
We learn more here about the accusation that in person Paul was unimpressive and ineffectual (v 10). He also stands accused of using threatening language (v 9). Perhaps it is even being claimed that he is not a proper Christian (v 7) and that he is sinfully boastful. He does indeed own up to a certain kind of boasting, but it is boasting in the Lord (v 17) of what God has achieved through him, not least in reaching Corinth with the gospel (v 14). In making it clear that he had a commission from the risen Lord and the authority that went with it (v 8), Paul could easily be accused of a form of self-aggrandisement – but he was also stating a fact. Paul is clear about his limits. He was not going to take the credit for what others had achieved (unlike his opponents) and was looking forward to boasting about new regions opening up beyond Corinth (vs 15,16). Good boasting!
Sadly, here in the early origins of the Christian church we find evidence of a competitive and factional spirit. We would like to report that this was swiftly and decisively overcome, but even the powerful words of Paul’s hymn to love previously addressed to Corinth2 could not avert it. For all that we go on reading Paul’s letters, this factional spirit continues to this day. The remedy will not be found until the time comes when each of us resolves never to be part of it.
‘Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.’3
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: 2 Chronicles 6,7; Galatians 6
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray for the North staff team as they work with churches and volunteers over a busy summer as people start and restart local projects, holiday clubs, missions and residentials. Pray that many children and young people will hear about Jesus as a result.
