Paul’s Boasting (continued)
Introduction:
Paul is back to the “foolish boasting” the Corinthian church forced him into.
… listen to me, as you would to a foolish person, while I also boast a little. 17 Such boasting is not from the Lord, but I am acting like a fool. 18 And since others boast about their human achievements, I will, too. (2 Corinthians 11:16-18 NLT)
Paul’s Boasting (continued)
2 Corinthians 11:21-33 NLT
21 … But whatever they dare to boast about—I’m talking like a fool again—I dare to boast about it, too. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. 24 Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. 26 I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. 27 I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.
28 Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak without my feeling that weakness? Who is led astray, and I do not burn with anger?
30 If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am. 31 God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, who is worthy of eternal praise, knows I am not lying. 32 When I was in Damascus, the governor under King Aretas kept guards at the city gates to catch me. 33 I had to be lowered in a basket through a window in the city wall to escape from him.
Examine the scriptures:
Paul’s Boasting (continued)
2 Corinthians 11:21-33 NLT
21 … But whatever they dare to boast about—I’m talking like a fool again—I dare to boast about it, too.
Paul is ready to begin comparing the external qualifications apparently believed by the Corinthians and false apostles to be matters of great importance.
1 Samuel 16:7 NLT (from the previous lesson)
… The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
- Paul’s boasting continues.
22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I.
Philippians 3:4-6 NLT
4 … I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more!
5 I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. 6 I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault.
- From a human viewpoint, Paul’s credentials were impeccable.
Genesis 17:7 NLT
7 “I (God) will confirm my covenant with you (Abraham) and your descendants after you, from generation to generation. This is the everlasting covenant: I will always be your God and the God of your descendants after you.
23 Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more!
I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. 24 Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes.
Synagogue’s punishment.
Deuteronomy 25
39 lashes were given so as not to violate this Old Testament law.
25 Three times I was beaten with rods.
This was a Roman punishment administered in public. As a Roman citizen, Paul sometimes avoided being beaten in this way. Citizens were supposed to be given a trial first. Here, though, Paul shows that he did not always escape it.
History indicates that many men died from these Roman beatings!
Acts 16:22-24 NLT
22 A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. 23 They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. 24 So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.
Once I was stoned.
Acts 14:19 NLT
19 Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowds to their side. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead.
Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. (Acts 27) 26 I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles.
- Paul faced danger from the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles.
I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not.
- The apostle Paul suffered more than most as a follower of Christ.
27 I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.
1 Thessalonians 2:9 NLT
9 Don’t you remember, dear brothers and sisters, how hard we worked among you? Night and day we toiled to earn a living so that we would not be a burden to any of you as we preached God’s Good News to you.
2 Thessalonians 3:8 NLT
8 We never accepted food from anyone without paying for it. We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to any of you.
- Paul worked hard and long, sometimes without adequate food, clothing, or shelter.
28 Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak without my feeling that weakness? Who is led astray, and I do not burn with anger?
- Paul’s spiritual struggles were even a greater burden than his physical hardships.
1 Corinthians 12:26 NLT
26 If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.
1 Corinthians 9:22 NLT
22 When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.
30 If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am.
31 God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, who is worthy of eternal praise, knows I am not lying.
- Paul understood his total dependence on God.
Colossians 1:28-29 NLT
28 So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. 29 That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me.
Philippians 4:19 NLT
19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
Paul’s hardships started early in his ministry.
32 When I was in Damascus, the governor under King Aretas kept guards at the city gates to catch me. 33 I had to be lowered in a basket through a window in the city wall to escape from him.
Started early in his ministry.
Acts 9:19-25 early in his ministry.
Some of the Jews plotted together to kill him.
- Paul’s hardships started early in his ministry.
Philippians 4:19 NLT
19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
