The One Year Bible Club with Teaching
Commentary by Nick Boork
September 12
2 Corinthians 12:11-21
Commentary by Nick Boork
September 12
2 Corinthians 12:11-21
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September 12 – 2 Corinthians 12:11-21
I have become a fool in boasting; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; for in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though I am nothing. 12 Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds. 13 For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong!
14 Now for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. 15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved. 16 But be that as it may, I did not burden you. Nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you by cunning!
17 Did I take advantage of you by any of those whom I sent to you? 18 I urged Titus, and sent our brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?
19 Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ. But we do all things, beloved, for your edification. 20 For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults; 21 lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced.
OKAY, HERE’S MY TEACHING COMMENTARY
Now Paul outlines the signs of an apostle. When you read about Paul’s journey to Corinth in the book of Acts it does not mention any specific miracles that happened but that Paul spent a year and a half there during his second missionary journey. Luke records in Acts that Paul was teaching the Word of God while in Corinth. However, when we read Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians he mentions the visitation of God’s power among them through his ministry: 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 “And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”
Signs defined: of miracles and wonders by which God authenticates the men sent by him, or by which men prove that the cause they are pleading is God's. (Blue Letter Bible)
Here’s a list of apostolic signs manifested through Paul during his ministry:
Acts 13 Prophesy of blindness to come on the Sorcerer that tried to turn away the official from hearing Paul preach the Gospel of Christ.
Acts 14 Healing the man born as a paralytic
Acts 16 Casting out a demon of fortune telling from the woman and being set free from prison after God sent an earthquake, then leading the jailer and his family to salvation and water baptism!
Acts 19 Getting 12 men filled with the Holy Spirit all manifesting spiritual gifts of speaking in tongues and prophesy
Acts 19 Healing and demonic deliverance to multitudes in Ephesus through transferring the anointing to aprons and clothes that were laid on people.
Acts 20 Raising the young man from the dead that fell from the third story.
Acts 28 The miraculous protection of God after being bitten by a poisonous snake that should have killed him. Healing of Publius father from dysentery and a multitude of sick people on the island of Malta.
It should be noted that the affect of these miracles convinced multitudes of people to listen to the message of the gospel of Christ Paul preached and believe and be saved. So the miracles, signs and wonders were given by God to get people’s attention and receive Christ. Miracles from God or the signs of an apostle, a sent one, an ambassador of Christ, demonstrate the good and loving character of God.
That’s why God gives miracles because he loves people and he is GOOD! That’s how the apostles understood THE APOSTLE Jesus Christ. Peter said in Acts 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
Verse 14 reveals Paul’s motive to give and not take. “And I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.” This is the heart of a true apostle. They have a parental motivation to give their children everything they need to succeed in Christ. Remember how Paul shared with the believers in Rome of his great desire to visit them? He wrote in Romans 1:11 “For I want very much to see you, so I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you,” Holman Christian Standard Bible
Imparting grace, wisdom, teaching, ministry, training, mentoring, encouraging people to pursue ministry and building the kingdom of God and not their own empires are the kinds of words that describe both the heart and actions of true apostles.
Verse 19 in the amplified version it says: All this time you have been thinking that we are [merely] defending ourselves to you. It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking [as one] in Christ; and everything, dearly beloved, is to strengthen you [spiritually]
WHAT’S THE BOTTOM LINE?
1) Paul was a true apostle called and sent by the Lord Jesus Christ to preach the gospel.
2) God confirmed Paul’s message with mighty signs, wonders and miracles.
3) The false apostles could not boast of this kind of miracle ministry
4) True apostles have the heart of God beating in them to love, give, provide, bless, build and minister to others. 5) False apostles do what they do to take and are motivated by self.
PRAYER TO APPLY THE WORD OF GOD TO OUR LIVES
ORDINATION
We provide Ministry Credentials and Ordination through Diamond Ministerial Association. Click to learn more and apply! http://www.diamondinstitute.org/ordination
ONLINE COURSES
For Bible courses and ministry resources see our online school Diamond Institute. Enroll free today and get access to our free and pay as you go courses. http://www.diamondinstitute.org/enroll
I have become a fool in boasting; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; for in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though I am nothing. 12 Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds. 13 For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong!
14 Now for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. 15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved. 16 But be that as it may, I did not burden you. Nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you by cunning!
17 Did I take advantage of you by any of those whom I sent to you? 18 I urged Titus, and sent our brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?
19 Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ. But we do all things, beloved, for your edification. 20 For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults; 21 lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced.
OKAY, HERE’S MY TEACHING COMMENTARY
Now Paul outlines the signs of an apostle. When you read about Paul’s journey to Corinth in the book of Acts it does not mention any specific miracles that happened but that Paul spent a year and a half there during his second missionary journey. Luke records in Acts that Paul was teaching the Word of God while in Corinth. However, when we read Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians he mentions the visitation of God’s power among them through his ministry: 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 “And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”
Signs defined: of miracles and wonders by which God authenticates the men sent by him, or by which men prove that the cause they are pleading is God's. (Blue Letter Bible)
Here’s a list of apostolic signs manifested through Paul during his ministry:
Acts 13 Prophesy of blindness to come on the Sorcerer that tried to turn away the official from hearing Paul preach the Gospel of Christ.
Acts 14 Healing the man born as a paralytic
Acts 16 Casting out a demon of fortune telling from the woman and being set free from prison after God sent an earthquake, then leading the jailer and his family to salvation and water baptism!
Acts 19 Getting 12 men filled with the Holy Spirit all manifesting spiritual gifts of speaking in tongues and prophesy
Acts 19 Healing and demonic deliverance to multitudes in Ephesus through transferring the anointing to aprons and clothes that were laid on people.
Acts 20 Raising the young man from the dead that fell from the third story.
Acts 28 The miraculous protection of God after being bitten by a poisonous snake that should have killed him. Healing of Publius father from dysentery and a multitude of sick people on the island of Malta.
It should be noted that the affect of these miracles convinced multitudes of people to listen to the message of the gospel of Christ Paul preached and believe and be saved. So the miracles, signs and wonders were given by God to get people’s attention and receive Christ. Miracles from God or the signs of an apostle, a sent one, an ambassador of Christ, demonstrate the good and loving character of God.
- When healing comes to the sick in Jesus name that’s a good thing!
- When a creative miracle happens people acknowledge God’s ability.
- When demons are cast out and people are free of their oppression that’s a good thing!
That’s why God gives miracles because he loves people and he is GOOD! That’s how the apostles understood THE APOSTLE Jesus Christ. Peter said in Acts 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
Verse 14 reveals Paul’s motive to give and not take. “And I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.” This is the heart of a true apostle. They have a parental motivation to give their children everything they need to succeed in Christ. Remember how Paul shared with the believers in Rome of his great desire to visit them? He wrote in Romans 1:11 “For I want very much to see you, so I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you,” Holman Christian Standard Bible
Imparting grace, wisdom, teaching, ministry, training, mentoring, encouraging people to pursue ministry and building the kingdom of God and not their own empires are the kinds of words that describe both the heart and actions of true apostles.
Verse 19 in the amplified version it says: All this time you have been thinking that we are [merely] defending ourselves to you. It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking [as one] in Christ; and everything, dearly beloved, is to strengthen you [spiritually]
WHAT’S THE BOTTOM LINE?
1) Paul was a true apostle called and sent by the Lord Jesus Christ to preach the gospel.
2) God confirmed Paul’s message with mighty signs, wonders and miracles.
3) The false apostles could not boast of this kind of miracle ministry
4) True apostles have the heart of God beating in them to love, give, provide, bless, build and minister to others. 5) False apostles do what they do to take and are motivated by self.
PRAYER TO APPLY THE WORD OF GOD TO OUR LIVES
ORDINATION
We provide Ministry Credentials and Ordination through Diamond Ministerial Association. Click to learn more and apply! http://www.diamondinstitute.org/ordination
ONLINE COURSES
For Bible courses and ministry resources see our online school Diamond Institute. Enroll free today and get access to our free and pay as you go courses. http://www.diamondinstitute.org/enroll