To more fully
understand his apostolic role and his relationship with the Corinthians, Paul
has variously presented himself throughout this letter as: the slave of a
conquering general (2:14); the fragrance of Christ (2:14); Christ's postman
(3:3); Christ's ambassador (5:20); and as a fortress-demolisher (10:4-5). Now, he depicts his evangelistic and pastoral
ministry as a 'matchmaker' (perhaps a 'wedding
planner' might be a more apt contemporary parallel?) who has introduced
the Corinthians to Jesus, their future groom-to-be, and who has been working
hard to get the bride ready for the 'big day' (11:2). But there are dangerous seducers in their
midst wanting to lure them away from Jesus (v3) by a false gospel and by
cunning influence.
Paul is stressing
that only the pure Gospel unites us and keeps us in a right relationship with
Jesus. A sincere devotion to Christ (v3) is only possible when the true and
authentic Gospel of Christ is taught (friends,
pray for me!) and believed. We need to be constantly alert to what is
being taught rather than being impressed and drawn away by other alluring
elements of church styles, claims and format. This is what had attracted the
Corinthians' attention (v5-6). But they
were being misled and lead away from Jesus.
The power to transform people's lives is in the Gospel (10:3-6) and not
in any display of the miraculous (see John 12:37).
In contrast to the
eye-catching, hyper-spiritual 'super-apostles' (v5; 12:11), the false teachers
who were clearly influencing the Corinth (is it unfair to compare them to the more ostentatious and egotistical
contemporary 'tele-evangelists'? I think not), Paul appears - and is
accused by his detractors - as being spiritually worldly (10:4), weak and
foolish. In measure, he agrees with
their assessment; but he is Christ's fool (11:16-33), and in that he is pleased
to boast. He faces unimaginable
difficulties and hardships as a servant of Christ (v33) and for the cause of
the Gospel so that in all he might humbly serve others. For Paul - and indeed all of us, though
perhaps not as intense of extreme - the message of the Cross is to be on our
lips and displayed in our lives. This is authentic Christian ministry.
Yes, Paul could
easily have matched his accusers' claims of ecstatic, spiritual experiences
(12:1-6 - although his were real, theirs not). In these verses he recalls one
such memorable occasion in the past. But
his apostolic credentials and his spiritual credibility are not verified by his
experiences, but by the reality of personal weakness perseveringly lived out in
the power of Christ's strength before the Corinthians (v9-10), and by the
living testimony of the Corinthians' own changed lives (3:1-3). The precise
nature of Paul's "thorn in the flesh" (v7-8) is probably deliberately
kept obscure so that each of us can identify our own personal, particular,
providential, prayer-driven problem as our own 'thorn'. Whatever the 'thorn' was for Paul, whatever
the 'thorn' is for us - God's grace is sufficient; whatever the weakness God's
power will carry us through. Whatever.
As we draw to the
letter's close, Paul's bags are packed, his tickets booked, he's on his way to
see them. It promises, however, not to be a particular present visit to Corinth
(12:20-21). Paul is concerned that through
the false teachers, much of the progress they had made as a result of his
earlier letter will be undone, and some of the former sinful patterns and
practices will have re-emerged. In drifting away from the true Gospel, such
behaviour is explicable but inexcusable, regrettable but inevitable, and so
must be addressed. (13:1-4). However, before he arrives, there is an
opportunity to set things right; to demonstrate the authenticity of their faith
and relationship with Christ (v5); to recognise and repent of their sin (v7)
and get right with God once again (v5-13).
In Paul's final and
familiar benedictory prayer for the Corinthians - and indeed for all who have
read this letter - Paul reminds us that the energy and motivation required for
our spiritual rehabilitation and vitality does not lie within us, but from "the
grace of Christ that removes aggression, the love of God that dispels jealousy,
and the fellowship of the Spirit who destroys bitterness" (P.Barnett). As
God answers this prayer, so the problems in the Corinthian church - and every
other troubled fellowship - will be overcome.
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