2 Corinthians 11:7-15

                                                             2 Corinthians 11:7-15

Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached God's gospel to you free of charge?  I robbed other churches by accepting support from them in order to serve you.  And when I was with you and was in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my need. So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way.  As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia.  And why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!  And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do.  For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.  And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.  So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

Recognizing the difference between the truth and lies is vital for life and eternity.  The church in Corinth had been exposed to the true Gospel as taught by Paul.  However, other people came into the church and began to spread a false gospel.  Paul wants the believers there to be able to distinguish between his teaching and that of the false teachers.

 

PREACHING THE GOSPEL IS MARKED BY SACRIFICIAL LOVE: That which is free is often undervalued and unappreciated.  Since the true Gospel is always free, Paul fears that the church in Corinth was not considering the preciousness of the Gospel because he had brought the Gospel to them free of charge.  Other churches supported him financially while he was ministering in Corinth.  Even so, he still was in need until the brothers from Macedonia came and brought him the supplies he needed.  Paul made great sacrifices to be able to advance the Gospel.  His motive for doing this was his abiding love for God and for the people he was seeking to reach.  Paul refused to be silent about the truth of God’s Word.  As believers, we are called to love others enough that we are willing to make great sacrifices so that others might also believe.

 

PERVERTING THE GOSPEL IS MARKED BY DECEITFUL LIES: Unfortunately, anything as valuable as the Gospel is always at risk of being falsified.  There were men who came in after Paul who claimed to be apostles, but the were not.  There were false apostles who were simply out to deceive others into believing that they were apostles.  However, they had not been sent by God.  Rather, they had been sent by Satan who also disguises himself as an angel of light.  They and those who follow them will be brought to an end at the judgment where their lies will be severe and in accordance with their deeds.  Great attention must be given and courage exercised to expose false teachers.  Self-promotion and the denial of the truth are clear indications that teachings are false.

 

APPLICATION: Love others deeply and be willing to make sacrifices to be able to advance the Gospel.  Trust God to supply that which is needed to do His work.  Beware of those who promote themselves but are not willing to make sacrifices for the cause of Christ.  Stay alert to detect the lies of those who are perverting the Gospel because they usually come well disguised.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Isaiah 54:1-17

Hope is a wonderful blessing from God, without which we would be vulnerable to all kinds of destructive tendencies in our lives.  Today’s society is marked by depression, anger, fear, anxiety and self-righteousness, in large part, because of the sense of hopelessness that prevails in our culture.  Isaiah writes to a people who are about to be taken into captivity because of their sin.  God knows that they will feel rejected, threatened and hopeless so He reveals His future plans for the nation in order to give them hope in the midst of the coming trial.  Hope is the expectation of good based upon the promises of God.  Many times when our lives are marked by the sins mentioned above it is because we have forgotten or failed to focus upon the promises of God’s Word. THE PROMISE OF GOD: From the very first day that God revealed His plan for the nation of Israel, He promised numerous descendants.  God chose Abraham, not because he was more righteous than a...
Read more

2 Timothy 1:3-7

I thank God   whom I serve, as did my ancestors,   with a clear conscience, as I remember you   constantly in my prayers night and day.    As I remember your tears,   I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.    I am reminded of   your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and   your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.    For this reason I remind you   to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us   a spirit not of fear but   of power and love and self-control. It is easy for us to forget many important things especially in the face of difficulty or danger.  Paul is in prison and Timothy is facing difficult times in ministry so there are important reminders that Paul wants to make sure that Timothy understands.  God has given us everything we need to face the difficulties He allows i...
Read more

2 Timothy 1:8-14

Therefore   do not be ashamed of   the testimony about our Lord, nor of   me his prisoner, but   share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,   who saved us and   called us to a holy calling,   not because of our works but because of   his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus   before the ages began, and which now has   been manifested through   the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus,   who abolished death and   brought life and   immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But   I am not ashamed, for   I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until   that day   what has been entrusted to me.  Follow   the pattern of   the sound words   that you have heard from me, in   the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ...
Read more