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.

The Necessity for Paul’s Boasting

Introduction:

In previous verses (7-12) Paul discussed the issue of financial support for himself.

 In verses 13-15, Paul described the false teachers in the Corinthian church as servants of Satan.

• • • Paul described the false apostles at Corinth as servants of Satan.
    • Paul was fighting a spiritual battle to protect the Corinthian church from corruption.

 Now he is back to the “foolish boasting” the Corinthian church forced him into.

2 Corinthians 11:16- 21 NLT
The Necessity for Paul’s Boasting
¹⁶ Again I say, don’t think that I am a fool to talk like this. But even if you do, 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. ¹⁹ After all, you think you are so wise, but you enjoy putting up with fools! ²⁰ You put up with it when someone enslaves you, takes everything you have, takes advantage of you, takes control of everything, and slaps you in the face. ²¹ I’m ashamed to say that we’ve been too “weak” to do that!
But whatever they dare to boast about—I’m talking like a fool again—I dare to boast about it, too.

Examine the scriptures:

2 Corinthians 11:16- 21 NLT
The Necessity for Paul’s Boasting

¹⁶ Again I say, don’t think that I am a fool to talk like this. 

Some of the Corinthians were comparing Paul unfavorably to the false apostles.

“don’t think that I am a fool”

• Some of the Corinthians thought that Paul was a fool.

Foolish here means ignorant. (Lacking in knowledge, education, or experience. Uninformed.)

Who is being foolish? 

• The Corinthians were viewing these false apostles (false teachers) from a human perspective.

1 Samuel 16:7 NLT
⁷ But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

• People judge by outward appearance, but the Lordlooks at the heart.

• By rejecting Paul in favor of the false apostles, the Corinthiasn would be rejecting the true gospel for a false gospel.

But even if you do (think that I am a fool), listen to me, as you would to a foolish person, while I also boast a little. 

2 Corinthians 11:1 NLT
¹ I hope you will put up with a little more of my foolishness. Please bear with me. 

• Paul plays the part of a boastful fool so that he may present his true credentials (as a suffering apostle).

• Paul was fighting a spiritual battle to protect the Corinthian church from corruption. (repeated point) 

¹⁷ Such boasting is not from the Lord,

Jesus would not talk this way.

In his arrogance the fool boasts in himself, not in the Lord.

2 Corinthians 10:17-18 NLT
¹⁷ As the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”
¹⁸ When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them.

Jeremiah 9:24 NLT
²⁴ But those who wish to boast
should boast in this alone:
that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord
who demonstrates unfailing love
and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth,
and that I delight in these things.
I, the Lord, have spoken! 

but I am acting like a fool. 

Acting like a fool in order to counter the false doctrine threatening the Coriinthian church.

 ¹⁸ And since others boast about their human achievements, I will, too. 

 BE CAREFUL if you choose to imitate Paul with this behavior.

• Paul is using this approach out of necessity.

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 NLT
¹⁹ Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. ²⁰ When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. ²¹ When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.
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. ²³ I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.

• Paul’s motive was to correct the Corinthian church.

¹⁹ After all, you think you are so wise,

Sarcasism

The Corinthians were viewing themselves as being wise.

1 Corinthians 4:10 NLT
¹⁰ Our dedication to Christ makes us look like fools, but you claim to be so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are so powerful! You are honored, but we are ridiculed.

but you enjoy putting up with fools! 

• Those who are truly wise would not put up with fools. 

²⁰ You put up with it when someone enslaves you, takes everything you have, takes advantage of you, takes control of everything, and slaps you in the face. 

• A description of the actions of the false teachers.

¹ Someone enslaves you,
² takes everything you have,
³ takes advantage of you,
⁴ takes control of everything,
⁵ and slaps you in the face.

Paul is describing the actions of the false teachers.

(Who else does this describe?)

Mark 12:38-40 NLT
³⁸ Jesus also taught: “Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. ³⁹ And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets. ⁴⁰ Yet they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property and then pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public. Because of this, they will be more severely punished.”

• Beware of false teachers!

²¹ I’m ashamed to say that we’ve been too “weak” to do that!

Paul was too weak to exploit the Corinthian church.

Ironic, tongue-in cheek, or sarcastic statement.

• Paul knew how wrong it was for the false teachers to treat the church as they were doing.

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 “take on” his opponents.

Paul is about to boast a little in his own identity to make his point.

In Corinth many boast according to the flesh.

Repeat:

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 NLT
¹⁹ Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. ²⁰ When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. ²¹ When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law,^[a] I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.
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. ²³ I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings. 

• Quoting Paul, “Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.”

Paul and the False Apostles (Part 2)

Introduction:

In this passage, Paul continues to defend his position as the spiritual authority in the Corinthian church.

Generally speaking, it’s wrong to boast.

There is a Time for Boasting if it is Done Correctly.

Paul continues to boast (in the Lord) in this passage.

In order to compare his own ministry with that of the false apostles who have invaded the Corinthian church, Paul has to speak about himself, which inevitably seems like foolish boasting.

 

2 Corinthians 11:7-15 NLT
Paul and the False Apostles (Part 2)
⁷ Was I wrong when I humbled myself and honored you by preaching God’s Good News to you without expecting anything in return? ⁸ I “robbed” other churches by accepting their contributions so I could serve you at no cost. ⁹ And when I was with you and didn’t have enough to live on, I did not become a financial burden to anyone. For the brothers who came from Macedonia brought me all that I needed. I have never been a burden to you, and I never will be. ¹⁰ As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, no one in all of Greece will ever stop me from boasting about this. ¹¹ Why? Because I don’t love you? God knows that I do.
¹² But I will continue doing what I have always done. This will undercut those who are looking for an opportunity to boast that their work is just like ours. ¹³ These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. ¹⁴ But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. ¹⁵ So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.

Examine the scriptures:

2 Corinthians 11:7-15 NLT

Paul and the False Apostles (Part 2)

⁷ Was I wrong when I humbled myself

Greek culture measured the importance of a teacher by the fee he could command.

and honored you by preaching God’s Good News to you without expecting anything in return? 

Normal practice

Luke 10:4-7 NLT (Instructions from Jesus)
⁴ Don’t take any money with you, nor a traveler’s bag, nor an extra pair of sandals. And don’t stop to greet anyone on the road.
⁵ “Whenever you enter someone’s home, first say, ‘May God’s peace be on this house.’ ⁶ If those who live there are peaceful, the blessing will stand; if they are not, the blessing will return to you. ⁷ Don’t move around from home to home. Stay in one place, eating and drinking what they provide. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve their pay. 

1 Corinthians 9:4 NLT (Paul)
⁴ Don’t we have the right to live in your homes and share your meals?

 1 Corinthians 9:13-14 NLT
¹³ Don’t you realize that those who work in the temple get their meals from the offerings brought to the temple? And those who serve at the altar get a share of the sacrificial offerings. ¹⁴ In the same way, the Lord ordered that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it. 

• The normal practice, at the time when Paul was an apostle, was that those who preached the Good News were supported by those who benefited from the teaching.

Paul’s choice

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.

Acts 18:1-3 NLT
Paul Meets Priscilla and Aquila in Corinth
¹ Then Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. ² There he became acquainted with a Jew named Aquila … (and) his wife, Priscilla. … ³ Paul lived and worked with them, for they were tentmakers just as he was. 

• Paul preached God’s Good News to the Corinthians without expecting anything in return. 

⁸ I “robbed” other churches by accepting their contributions so I could serve you at no cost. 

Paul said it was like robbery when he took money from poor people (churches).

• Paul accepted financial contributions from other churches so that he could serve the Corinthian church at no cost to them.

⁹ And when I was with you and didn’t have enough to live on, I did not become a financial burden to anyone.

Philippians 4:11-13 NLT
¹¹ Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. ¹² I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. ¹³ For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. 

Learn how to be content with whatever you have. 

For the brothers who came from Macedonia (Silas and Timothy) brought me all that I needed. I have never been a burden to you, and I never will be. 

Philippians 4:15 NLT
¹⁵ As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. 

• Paul did not want to be a financial burden to the Corinthian church.

God provided.

¹⁰ As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, no one in all of Greece will ever stop me from boasting about this. 

 2 Corinthians 8:9 NLT
⁹ You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich. 

Review from the previous lesson:

Generally speaking, it’s wrong to boast.

However, if necessary, Paul will boast about his ministry (Paul’s boasting was in the Lord.)  to keep the Corinthian church from becoming corrupted. There is a Time for Boasting if it is Done Correctly.

In order to compare his own ministry with that of the false apostles who have invaded the Corinthian church, Paul has to speak about himself, which inevitably seems like foolish boasting.

• If necessary, Paul will boast about his ministry to keep the Corinthian church from becoming corrupted. 

¹¹ Why? Because I don’t love you? God knows that I do.

Paul’s refusal to accept financial support from the Corinthians may have embarrassed the Corinthians.

This verse suggests that the Corinthians felt that Paul did not love them.

Paul certainly loved the Corinthians.

Paul was the loving “spiritual” father wanting to protect his children. (Previous lesson)

¹² But I will continue doing what I have always done. 

• Paul stood his ground (refusing financial support from the Corinthians), which may not have felt like love to the Corinthians. 

This will undercut those who are looking for an opportunity to boast that their work is just like ours. 

• Unlike Paul, the false apostles were being supported by the Corinthian church. This made their work different from Paul’s work.

 ¹³ These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. ¹⁴ But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 

Don’t be surprised by false teachers.  They are deceitful workers disguised as apostles of Christ.

¹⁵ So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness.

• Paul described the false apostles at Corinth as servants of Satan.
• Paul was fighting a spiritual battle to protect the Corinthian church from corruption. 

In the end, they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.

Paul and the False Apostles (Part 1)

Introduction:

In this passage, Paul continues to defend his position as the spiritual authority in the Corinthian church.

Generally speaking, it’s wrong to boast.

There is a Time for Boasting, if it is Done Correctly.

Paul continues to boast (in the Lord) in this passage.

In order to compare his own ministry with that of the false apostles who have invaded the Corinthian church, Paul has to speak about himself, which inevitably seems like foolish boasting.

2 Corinthians 11:1-6 NLT
Paul and the False Apostles (Part 1)
¹ I hope you will put up with a little more of my foolishness. Please bear with me. ² For I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself. I promised you as a pure bride to one husband—Christ. ³ But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent. ⁴ You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed.
⁵ But I don’t consider myself inferior in any way to these “super apostles” who teach such things. ⁶ I may be unskilled as a speaker, but I’m not lacking in knowledge. We have made this clear to you in every possible way.

Examine the scriptures:

2 Corinthians 11:1-6 NLT
Paul and the False Apostles (Part 1)
¹ I hope you will put up with a little more of my foolishness. Please bear with me. 

Generally speaking, it’s wrong to boast.

However, if necessary, Paul will boast about his ministry (Paul’s boasting was in the Lord.)  to keep the Corinthian church from becoming corrupted. (“Put up with my foolishness.”) There is a Time for Boasting, if it is Done Correctly.

In order to compare his own ministry with that of the false apostles who have invaded the Corinthian church, Paul has to speak about himself, which inevitably seems like foolish boasting.

• If necessary, Paul will boast about his ministry to keep the Corinthian church from becoming corrupted.

² For I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself.

One definition of jealous.

Fiercely protective or vigilant of one’s rights or possessions.

• Paul could not bear the thought that there might be any rival to Christ and his gospel.

I promised you as a pure bride to one husband—Christ. 

I promised you as a pure bride to one husband—Christ.

In Jewish culture, when a daughter was betrothed, her father would guarantee that he would present her as a pure virgin at her wedding.

• The Church is called to be a pure bride to one husband – Christ.

A pure bride exhibits exclusive devotion to Christ.

Ephesians 5:23-27 NLT
²³ For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. ²⁴ As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything.
²⁵ For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her ²⁶ to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. ²⁷ He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault.

• Paul viewed himself as the spiritual father of the Corinthian church.

1 Corinthians 4:15 NLT
¹⁵ For even if you had ten thousand others to teach you about Christ, you have only one spiritual father. For I became your father in Christ Jesus when I preached the Good News to you.

• As the spiritual father of the Corinthian church, Paul wanted to present the Corinthian believers to Christ as pure virgins, undefiled by the doctrines of false teachers.

³ But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent. 

The false teachers were pulling the Corinthian believers away from pure and undivided devotion to Christ.  In this, they were doing the work of Satan, just as the serpent did in Eden.

• The false teachers were doing the work of Satan by corrupting the Corinthian church. (Keeping her from being a pure bride.)

⁴ You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed.

Paul uses repetition, so it should be o.k. for me to use repetition.

• • Don’t be fooled by false teachers.

Colossians 2:8 NLT
⁸ Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. 

• • False teachers are good at what they do.

Romans 16:17-18 NLT
¹⁷ And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. ¹⁸ Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people.

• • Stay away from false teachers.

2 John 10-11 NLT
¹⁰ If anyone comes to your meeting and does not teach the truth about Christ, don’t invite that person into your home or give any kind of encouragement. ¹¹ Anyone who encourages such people becomes a partner in their evil work.

• • People look for teachers who tell them what they want to hear.

2 Timothy 4:3-4 NLT
³ For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. ⁴ They will reject the truth and chase after myths.

• • It is possible to identify false teachers.

Matthew 7:15-17 NLT
¹⁵ “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. ¹⁶ You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? ¹⁷ A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit.

• • Don’t take false teaching lightly.

Galatians 1:7-8 NLT
⁷ (false teaching) is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ.
⁸ Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you.

• • Study the scriptures daily.

Acts 17:11 NLT
¹¹ And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.

⁵ But I don’t consider myself inferior in any way to these “super apostles” who teach such things. ⁶ I may be unskilled as a speaker, but I’m not lacking in knowledge. We have made this clear to you in every possible way. 

2 Corinthians 10:10 NLT
¹⁰ For some say, “Paul’s letters are demanding and forceful, but in person he is weak, and his speeches are worthless!”

I may be unskilled as a speaker, but I’m not lacking in knowledge. 

• What we say is more important than how we say it. 

Ephesians 4:14-15 NLT
¹⁴ … we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. ¹⁵ Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, …

There is a Time for Boasting, if it is Done Correctly.

In this passage, Paul continues to defend his position as the spiritual authority in the Corinthian church.

Generally speaking, it’s wrong to boast.

1 Corinthians 13:4 NLT
⁴ Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud.

However

Paul boasted.

There is a time for boasting if it is done correctly.

 

2 Corinthians 10:13-18 NLT
Paul Defends His Authority (continued)
¹³ We will not boast about things done outside our area of authority. We will boast only about what has happened within the boundaries of the work God has given us, which includes our working with you. ¹⁴ We are not reaching beyond these boundaries when we claim authority over you, as if we had never visited you. For we were the first to travel all the way to Corinth with the Good News of Christ.
¹⁵ Nor do we boast and claim credit for the work someone else has done. Instead, we hope that your faith will grow so that the boundaries of our work among you will be extended. ¹⁶ Then we will be able to go and preach the Good News in other places far beyond you, where no one else is working. Then there will be no question of our boasting about work done in someone else’s territory. ¹⁷ As the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”
¹⁸ When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them.

Examine the scriptures:

2 Corinthians 10:13-18 NLT
Paul Defends His Authority (continued)
¹³ We will not boast about things done outside our area of authority. We will boast only about what has happened within the boundaries of the work God has given us, which includes our working with you.  

• Paul only boasted about what had happened within the boundaries of the work God had given him. 

Paul knew that God had given him a job to do.

Galatians 1:1 NLT
¹ This letter is from Paul, an apostle. I was not appointed by any group of people or any human authority, but by Jesus Christ himself and by God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead. 

1 Corinthians 1:1 NLT
¹ This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus,

Acts 18 NLT
¹ Then Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.  

⁹ One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! ¹⁰ For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me.” ¹¹ So Paul stayed there for the next year and a half, teaching the word of God. 

1 Corinthians 3:6 NLT
⁶ I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. 

• Paul knew his ministry in Corinth was given to him by God.

We will limit our boasting to the work God gave us, 

Romans 15:18 NLT
¹⁸ Yet I dare not boast about anything except what Christ has done through me, bringing the Gentiles to God by my message and by the way I worked among them.

• Do not boast about anything except what Christ has done through you.

¹⁴ We are not reaching beyond these boundaries when we claim authority over you, as if we had never visited you. For we were the first to travel all the way to Corinth with the Good News of Christ.

Paul was the first person to share the good news of Christ with the Corinthians.  His opponents visited the church much later, so their claim to Corinth as their territory was empty.

Romans 15:20 NLT
²⁰ My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else.

• Paul knew that he was the first person to share the good news of Christ with the Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 4:15 NLT
¹⁵ For even if you had ten thousand others to teach you about Christ, you have only one spiritual father. For I became your father in Christ Jesus when I preached the Good News to you.

Paul was defending his spiritual authority in the Corinthian church. (continued)

¹⁵ Nor do we boast and claim credit for the work someone else has done.

The false teachers in Corinth

2 Corinthians 11:4 NLT
⁴ You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed.

Apparently the false teachers were taking credit for the work Paul had done.  Paul was saying that he would never take credit for something someone else had done.

• Don’t boast and claim credit for the work other people have done.

Instead, we hope that your faith will grow so that the boundaries of our work among you will be extended.  

1 Corinthians 11:1 NLT
¹ And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.

Paul wanted the Corinthians to be more mature in their faith.

1 Corinthians 3:1-3 NLT
¹ Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to spiritual people. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in Christ. ² I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready, ³ for you are still controlled by your sinful nature. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature? Aren’t you living like people of the world?

¹⁶ Then we will be able to go and preach the Good News in other places far beyond you, where no one else is working. 

After the crisis in Corinth was resolved, Paul could, with the help of the Corinthians, move on to new areas. 

Then there will be no question of our boasting about work done in someone else’s territory. ¹⁷ As the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”

There is a place for boasting if it is done correctly.

Jeremiah 9:23-24 NLT
²³ This is what the Lord says:
“Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom,
or the powerful boast in their power,
or the rich boast in their riches.
²⁴ But those who wish to boast
should boast in this alone:
that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord
who demonstrates unfailing love
and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth,
and that I delight in these things.
I, the Lord, have spoken! 

1 Corinthians 1:30-31 NLT
³⁰ God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. ³¹ Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”

This doesn’t leave much for us to say about ourselves.

• If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.

Psalm 78:4
We will tell the next generation
about the glorious deeds of the Lord,
about his power and his mighty wonders.

Tell what Christ has done for you.

Romans 5:6-11 NLT
⁶ When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. ⁷ Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. ⁸ But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. ⁹ And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. ¹⁰ For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. ¹¹ So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. 

¹⁸ When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. 

Proverbs 27:2 NLT
² Let someone else praise you, not your own mouth—
a stranger, not your own lips.

Proverbs 26:12 NLT
¹² There is more hope for fools
than for people who think they are wise. 

The important thing is for the Lord to commend them.

2 Corinthians 5:10 NLT
¹⁰ For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.

Matthew 25:23 NLT
²³ “The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’

• What people say about themselves means nothing. What counts is whether the Lord says they have done well.

Paul Defends His Authority (Ministry) (continued)

Learning, From Paul’s Example, How to Defend Your Ministry.

Defending your ministry.

Knowing that you in fact have a ministry.

2 Corinthians 10:7-12 NLT
Paul Defends His Authority (continued)
⁷ Look at the obvious facts. Those who say they belong to Christ must recognize that we belong to Christ as much as they do. ⁸ I may seem to be boasting too much about the authority given to us by the Lord. But our authority builds you up; it doesn’t tear you down. So I will not be ashamed of using my authority.
⁹ I’m not trying to frighten you by my letters. ¹⁰ For some say, “Paul’s letters are demanding and forceful, but in person he is weak, and his speeches are worthless!” ¹¹ Those people should realize that our actions when we arrive in person will be as forceful as what we say in our letters from far away.
¹² Oh, don’t worry; we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant!

Examine the scriptures:

2 Corinthians 10:7-12 NLT
Paul Defends His Authority (continued)
⁷ Look at the obvious facts. Those who say they belong to Christ must recognize that we belong to Christ as much as they do.  

We can know that we belong to Christ.

Romans 10:9-10 NLT
⁹ If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.

Romans 10:13 NLT
¹³ For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

John 3:16 NLT
¹⁶ “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

John 5:24 NLT
²⁴ “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.

This is all a part of God’s plan for us.

Ephesians 1:5 NLT
⁵ God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.

No one can snatch us away from Christ.

John 10:28-29 NLT
²⁸ I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, ²⁹ for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.

• We can be certain of our salvation. 

⁸ I may seem to be boasting too much about the authority given to us by the Lord. 

1 Corinthians 12 NLT
One Body with Many Parts
¹² The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. ¹³ Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.
¹⁴ Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. …

²⁷ All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. ²⁸ Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church:
first are apostles,
second are prophets,
third are teachers,
then those who do miracles,
those who have the gift of healing,
those who can help others,
those who have the gift of leadership,
those who speak in unknown languages.

Romans 12:3-8 NLT
³ Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. ⁴ Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, ⁵ so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
⁶ In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. ⁷ If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. ⁸ If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

• God has given us different gifts (different roles) for doing certain things well. 

But our authority builds you up; it doesn’t tear you down.

The responsibility of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church.

Ephesians 4:11-13 NLT
¹¹ Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. ¹² Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. ¹³ This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.

Build others up

1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT
¹¹ So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

Ephesians 4:29 NLT
²⁹  Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT
²⁴ Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. ²⁵ And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

Romans 14:19 NLT
¹⁹ So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.

2 Corinthians 13:11 NLT
¹¹ Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.

John 17:23 NLT
²³ I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.

• Aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.

• Our role is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church. 

So I will not be ashamed of using my authority.

Use the gift God has given you.

1 Peter 4:10-11 NLT
¹⁰ God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. ¹¹ Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

Matthew 5:13-16
¹³ “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

• Use the gift God has given you.

⁹ I’m not trying to frighten you by my letters. ¹⁰ For some say, “Paul’s letters are demanding and forceful, but in person he is weak, and his speeches are worthless!” ¹¹ Those people should realize that our actions when we arrive in person will be as forceful as what we say in our letters from far away. 

• Actions can be as forceful as what we say.

¹² Oh, don’t worry; we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are!

God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise.

1 Corinthians 1:19-21 NLT
¹⁹ As the Scriptures say,
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise
and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.”
²⁰ So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. ²¹ Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe.

• You do not have to be important and “wonderful” to share Biblical truths with other people. Rely on the Holy Spirit to give you the words to say. 

But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant!

• Don’t compare yourself with other people. (They are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant!)

Paul Defends His Authority

Learning, From Paul’s Example, How to Defend Yourself (defend the faith).

2 Corinthians 10:1-6 NLT
Paul Defends His Authority
¹ Now I, Paul, appeal to you with the gentleness and kindness of Christ—though I realize you think I am timid in person and bold only when I write from far away. ² Well, I am begging you now so that when I come I won’t have to be bold with those who think we act from human motives.
³ We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. ⁴We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. ⁵ We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. ⁶ And after you have become fully obedient, we will punish everyone who remains disobedient.

Examine the scriptures:

2 Corinthians 10:1-6 NLT
Paul Defends His Authority

¹ Now I, Paul, appeal to you with the gentleness and kindness of Christ—

About Jesus:

Matthew 11:29 NLT
²⁹ Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 

• Jesus described himself as humble and gentle.

• Paul appealed to the Corinthians with the gentleness and kindness of Christ.

About us:

What does scripture say about the way we should treat others?

1 Peter 3:14-16 NLT
¹⁴ But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. ¹⁵ Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. ¹⁶ But do this in a gentle and respectful way.  Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.

2 Timothy 2:24-25 NLT
²⁴ A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. ²⁵ Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth.

1 Timothy 6:11-12 NLT
Paul’s Final Instructions
¹¹ But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. ¹² Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses.

Ephesians 4:1-3 NLT
Unity in the Body
4 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. ² Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. ³ Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.

Ephesians 4:32 NLT
³² Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Galatians 5:22-23 NLT
²² But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! 

• Make your appeal (defending the faith) to others with the gentleness and kindness of Christ 

though I realize you think I am timid in person and bold only when I write from far away.  

The Corinthians mistook Paul’s gentleness and meekness as weakness.

They accused him of cowardice.

Meekness epitomizes the strength that comes from loving others rather than self.

Meekness is patient endurance of unfair treatment, not bitter or angry, not seeking revenge.

• Don’t mistake gentleness and meekness as weakness.

² Well, I am begging you now so that when I come I won’t have to be bold with those who think we act from human motives.

Paul could and would confront wrong behaviors when necessary. (refer to verse 6)

Hebrews 12:11 NLT
¹¹ No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. 

Paul’s preference was that the Corinthians Church would become fully obedient to his teachings before he arrived in Corinth.

• Confront wrong behaviors when necessary, but focus on teaching right behaviors.

Paul Defends His Authority

The underlying principle of Ephesians 6:1-3 or Romans 13:1-5 fits here.

Paul was both a spiritual father and a spiritual authority.

1 Corinthians 4:14 NLT
¹⁴ I am not writing these things to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children. 

Galatians 1:1 NLT
¹ This letter is from Paul, an apostle. I was not appointed by any group of people or any human authority, but by Jesus Christ himself and by God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead. 

1 Corinthians 14:37 NLT
³⁷ If you claim to be a prophet or think you are spiritual, you should recognize that what I am saying is a command from the Lord himself.

Ephesians 6:1-3 NLT
Children and Parents
¹ Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. ² “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: ³ If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.” 

Romans 13:1-5 NLT
Respect for Authority
¹ Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. ² So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. ³ For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. ⁴ The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. ⁵ So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.

• Teach obedience, honor, and respect.

³ We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 

2 Corinthians 4: 4 NLT
⁴ Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. 

 Ephesians 6:12 NLT
¹² For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 

First:
Know the enemy.

• Know your enemy.

⁴ We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 

1 Corinthians 2:1 NLT
Paul’s Message of Wisdom
¹ When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan.

Human ingenuity
Worldly wisdom
Clever methodologies
A show of power
Wealth
Personal influence (athletes or TV personalities)

All of the above will not work against satanic attacks.

What works?

The Word of God, the power of the Holy Spirit, and prayer

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT
¹⁶ All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. ¹⁷ God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. 

Hebrews 4:12 NLT
¹² For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

Luke 12:11-12 NLT
¹¹ “And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, ¹² for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.”

1 Corinthians 2:4-5 NLT
⁴ And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. ⁵ I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God. 

• Use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.

• Use the Word of God, the power of the Holy Spirit, and prayer to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.

⁵ We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.  

⁵ We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, (ESV)

• Destroy human reasoning and false arguments (not people).

• Teach truth. 

⁶ And after you have become fully obedient,

When the Corinthian Church demonstrates loyalty to Paul.

we will punish everyone who remains disobedient.

With the support of the church, Paul will deal with the false apostles.

The Blessings of Obedience

Review previous lessons on “giving”.

The call to generous giving

Do what you say you will do.

Finish what you start.

2 Corinthians 9:8-15 NLT
⁸ And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. ⁹ As the Scriptures say,
“They share freely and give generously to the poor.
Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”
¹⁰ For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.
¹¹ Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. ¹² So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.
¹³ As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. ¹⁴ And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. ¹⁵ Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!

Examine the scriptures:

The Blessings of Obedience.

If you give generously …

2 Corinthians 9:8-15 NLT
⁸ And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.  

2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV (Another translation that was helpful to me.)
⁸ And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 

• God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.              WOW! 

2 Corinthians 4:7 NLT
⁷ We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. 

Philippians 1:6
⁶ And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Philippians 4:11-13 NLT
¹¹ Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. ¹² I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. ¹³ For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. 

It’s not ours, it all belongs to God.  He allows us to use it.

 ⁹ As the Scriptures say, (Psalm 112:9)
“They share freely and give generously to the poor.
Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”

Psalm 112:1 & 9 NLT
¹ Praise the Lord!
How joyful are those who fear the Lord
and delight in obeying his commands. …
⁹ They share freely and give generously to those in need.
Their good deeds will be remembered forever.
They will have influence and honor.

Proverbs 19:17 NLT
¹⁷ If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord—
and he will repay you!

Matthew 25:40 NLT
⁴⁰ “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

• As the Scriptures say, our good deeds will be remembered forever.

¹⁰ For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.

God provides.
God increases your resources.
God produces a great harvest.

• God provides. God increases your resources. God produces a great harvest.

¹¹ Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. 

• As you give you will be enriched, as you are enriched you can give more and more.

And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. ¹² So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God. 

Two results:

Physical needs are being met.

God is being praised.

¹³ As a result of your ministry, they (the Jerusalem Church) will give glory to God. 

• Two good things will result from your ministry of giving to believers—the needs of the believers will be met, and the believers will joyfully express their thanks to God (God will be praised). 

For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ.  

• Your generosity is a display of obedience to the good news of Christ.

James 2:14-18 NLT
Faith without Good Deeds Is Dead
¹⁴ What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? ¹⁵ Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, ¹⁶ and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?
¹⁷ So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.
¹⁸ Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”

John 13:35 NLT
³⁵ Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.

• The generosity of the Corinthian Church is seen, by the Jerusalem Church, as evidence of a genuine relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

¹⁴ And they (the Jerusalem Church) will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you.  

Overflowing grace – eternal salvation – spiritual riches.

Others will pray for you.

• The Jerusalem Church prayed for the Corinthian Church with deep affection 

¹⁵ Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!

• Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!

An indescribable gift!

How do we thank God for all He has done for us?

We love Him because He first loved us.

We serve the Lord

Psalm 100:2 NLT
²     Worship (serve) the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing with joy. 

We don’t hesitate to bless others with material gifts.

• How do we thank God for all He has done for us?
  • We love Him because He first loved us.
  • We serve Him.
  • We don’t hesitate to bless others with material gifts.

The Collection for Christians in Jerusalem

A continuation, and some repetition, of chapter 8.

Do what you say you will do.

 

2 Corinthians 9:1-7 NLT
The Collection for Christians in Jerusalem
¹ I really don’t need to write to you about this ministry of giving for the believers in Jerusalem. ² For I know how eager you are to help, and I have been boasting to the churches in Macedonia that you in Greece were ready to send an offering a year ago. In fact, it was your enthusiasm that stirred up many of the Macedonian believers to begin giving.
³ But I am sending these brothers to be sure you really are ready, as I have been telling them, and that your money is all collected. I don’t want to be wrong in my boasting about you. ⁴ We would be embarrassed—not to mention your own embarrassment—if some Macedonian believers came with me and found that you weren’t ready after all I had told them! ⁵ So I thought I should send these brothers ahead of me to make sure the gift you promised is ready. But I want it to be a willing gift, not one given grudgingly.
⁶ Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. ⁷ You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”

Examine the scriptures:

2 Corinthians 9:1-7 NLT
The Collection for Christians in Jerusalem
¹ I really don’t need to write to you about this ministry of giving for the believers in Jerusalem. 

Repetition can be used to emphasize the importance of a point a person is trying to communicate.

Scripture frequently uses repetition.

Philippians 4:4 NIV
⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Paul is repeating instructions from chapter 8.

2 Corinthians 8:11 NLT
¹¹ Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to what you have.

Go all the way back to 1 Corinthians 16:1-3

1 Corinthians 16:1-3 NLT
The Collection for Jerusalem
¹ Now regarding your question about the money being collected for God’s people in Jerusalem. You should follow the same procedure I gave to the churches in Galatia. ² On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned. Don’t wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once. ³ When I come, I will write letters of recommendation for the messengers you choose to deliver your gift to Jerusalem.

• Finish what you start.

² For I know how eager you are to help, 

and I have been boasting to the churches in Macedonia that you in Greece were ready to send an offering a year ago. In fact, it was your enthusiasm that stirred up many of the Macedonian believers to begin giving. 

Philippians 2:4 NLT
⁴ Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 

³ But I am sending these brothers

Titus and the two unnamed men sent by the church mentioned in the previous lesson. (8:18-24)

to be sure you really are ready,

Paul is sending some brothers to help the Corinthians fulfill their comments.

The confusion and lies spread by the false teachers had sidetracked the Corinthians.

Titus and his companions were sent to help the Corinthians get their financial house in order.

Proverbs 15:22 NLT
²² Plans go wrong for lack of advice;
many advisers bring success. 

• Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.

• Be willing to accept advice from Godly individuals.

 as I have been telling them, and that your money is all collected. I don’t want to be wrong in my boasting about you.  

⁴ We would be embarrassed—not to mention your own embarrassment—if some Macedonian believers came with me and found that you weren’t ready after all I had told them! 

• It is better to say nothing than to make a promise and not keep it.

Proverbs 25:14 NLT
¹⁴ A person who promises a gift but doesn’t give it
is like clouds and wind that bring no rain.

Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 NLT
⁴ When you make a promise to God, don’t delay in following through, for God takes no pleasure in fools. Keep all the promises you make to him. ⁵ It is better to say nothing than to make a promise and not keep it. 

• Don’t commit to something you can’t finish.

Luke 14:28-30 NLT
²⁸ “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? ²⁹ Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. ³⁰ They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’ 

• Don’t commit to something until you count the cost.

It can be embarrassing to brag about someone’s ministry, only to find out that they are not doing all that they profess to be doing.

⁵ So I thought I should send these brothers ahead of me to make sure the gift you promised is ready. But I want it to be a willing gift, not one given grudgingly. 

⁶ Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 

Luke 6:38 NLT
³⁸ Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”

 Proverbs 11:25 NLT
²⁵ The generous will prosper;
those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

• The one who plants generously will get a generous crop.

In case you need more motivation.

Matthew 25:34-40 NLT
³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. ³⁶ I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
³⁷ “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? ³⁹ When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
⁴⁰ “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’ 

⁷ You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 

• You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. 

• God loves a cheerful giver.

Titus and His Companions

Traveling Together With Other Believers.

1 Corinthians 14:40 NLT
⁴⁰ But be sure that everything is done properly and in order. 

• Be sure that everything is done properly and in order. 

• Do not set other people up for failure.

2 Corinthians 8:16-24 NLT
Titus and His Companions
¹⁶ But thank God! He has given Titus the same enthusiasm for you that I have. ¹⁷ Titus welcomed our request that he visit you again. In fact, he himself was very eager to go and see you. ¹⁸ We are also sending another brother with Titus. All the churches praise him as a preacher of the Good News. ¹⁹ He was appointed by the churches to accompany us as we take the offering to Jerusalem—a service that glorifies the Lord and shows our eagerness to help.
²⁰ We are traveling together to guard against any criticism for the way we are handling this generous gift. ²¹ We are careful to be honorable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to see that we are honorable.
²² We are also sending with them another of our brothers who has proven himself many times and has shown on many occasions how eager he is. He is now even more enthusiastic because of his great confidence in you. ²³ If anyone asks about Titus, say that he is my partner who works with me to help you. And the brothers with him have been sent by the churches, and they bring honor to Christ. ²⁴ So show them your love, and prove to all the churches that our boasting about you is justified.

Examine the scriptures:

2 Corinthians 8:16-24 NLT
Titus and His Companions
¹⁶ But thank God! He has given Titus the same enthusiasm for you that I have.  

• The enthusiasm Titus had for the Corinthians came from God.

¹⁷ Titus welcomed our request that he visit you again. In fact, he himself was very eager to go and see you. 

2 Corinthians 8:6 NLT
⁶ So we have urged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place, to return to you and encourage you to finish this ministry of giving. 

• Titus welcomed the request to serve.
• We should welcome opportunities to serve others. 

¹⁸ We are also sending another brother with Titus.

Unnamed.

All the churches praise him as a preacher of the Good News. ¹⁹ He was appointed by the churches to accompany us as we take the offering to Jerusalem—a service that glorifies the Lord and shows our eagerness to help. 

²⁰ We are traveling together to guard against any criticism for the way we are handling this generous gift. 

1 Corinthians 16:3-4 NLT
³ When I come, I will write letters of recommendation for the messengers you choose to deliver your gift to Jerusalem. ⁴ And if it seems appropriate for me to go along, they can travel with me.

 Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NLT
⁹ Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. ¹⁰ If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. ¹¹ Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? ¹² A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

 Deuteronomy 19:15 NLT
¹⁵ “You must not convict anyone of a crime on the testimony of only one witness. The facts of the case must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.

Proverbs 11:14 NLT
¹⁴ Without wise leadership, a nation falls;
there is safety in having many advisers.

Galatians 6:1-2 NLT¹ 
Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. ² Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

Genesis 2:18 NLT
¹⁸ Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.”

• A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated. 

• Two people working together are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. ^… Three are even better.

²¹ We are careful to be honorable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to see that we are honorable. 

Philippians 4:8-9 NLT
⁸ And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. ⁹ Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you. 

• Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.

1 Corinthians 10:31 NLT
³¹ So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

•  Do everything for the glory of God. 

²² We are also sending with them another of our brothers who has proven himself many times and has shown on many occasions how eager he is. 

An additional “brother” was added to the traveling delegation.

He is now even more enthusiastic because of his great confidence in you. ²³ If anyone asks about Titus, say that he is my partner who works with me to help you. And the brothers with him have been sent by the churches, and they bring honor to Christ. ²⁴ So show them your love, and prove to all the churches that our boasting about you is justified. 

• Christian community is not an optional part of the Christian life. 

Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT
²⁴ Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. ²⁵ And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.