DAY #274: 2 Corinthians 11:16-33

Clearly, Paul was extremely reluctant to boast. But faced with the persistent faultfinding of his critics, Paul felt compelled to list his accomplishments for the Corinthians. He wasn’t primarily concerned with his own reputation but, instead, with the spiritual welfare of the Corinthian believers. If his critics’ attacks went unanswered, the believers might turn away from Christ.

Paul had to speak up in order to quiet the gossip and slander circulating in the Corinthian church. Even though Paul knew he had to defend himself, he was extremely careful. He cautiously explained to the Corinthians that he was going to act like a fool in order to silence those false teachers.

With biting sarcasm, Paul reprimanded the Corinthians for putting up with these arrogant false teachers. They thought they were being wise when they welcomed itinerant teachers and listened to their new ideas. If these teachers were godly, like Apollos, Paul applauded this generous hospitality. The most recent teachers, however, were introducing a different gospel and were discrediting Paul in the process. Apparently, the Corinthians enjoyed listening to fools.

Although Paul had conceded to his opponents (the false teachers) their Jewish heritage, he would not agree with them that they served Christ. To prove his point, Paul listed all the trials he suffered for Christ. Could his opponents, who boasted in achievements, accomplishments, and credentials, produce an even more extensive list of suffering and persecution endured for Christ’s name?

Were they willing to follow Jesus’ way of the cross, his life of suffering? Were they willing to take up their crosses daily for Christ? Paul had suffered the hardship of imprisonment, including being whipped. He had faced death on a number of occasions.

Paul was sacrificing his life for the gospel, something the false teachers would never do.
According to the Jewish law, forty lashes was the maximum number the Jews could prescribe (Deuteronomy 25:3). The rabbis, however, would only allow thirty-nine, so that if the flogger miscounted he wouldn’t accidentally sin by administering more than forty. These beatings were carried out in the synagogues and were for either moral or religious offenses. The lashes were made of several straps of leather, sometimes with bone or metal tied to the ends to inflict more pain. In Paul’s case, the punishment would have been for preaching the gospel, what Jews commonly considered blasphemy. He faced this five different times.

In order to place his ministry beyond reproach, Paul had supported himself by working at a manual trade. Working two jobs had caused weariness and pain and sleepless nights. Because of the low wages of itinerant laborers and the hardships of first-century travel, Paul was often hungry, thirsty, and cold. But Paul had endured all these hardships cheerfully to preach the gospel, to tell men and women all over the Roman Empire that Jesus could save them from their sins.

Although Christ had predicted that Paul would suffer much for him (Acts 9:15-16), this was probably the first time Paul had realized to what extent he would have to suffer.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

I am humbled as I read this passage today. I am humbled by the life of Paul. His leadership, his sacrifice, the price he paid to follow Jesus and to live out God's will.

We live in a world today of Christianity light. If you listen to some of the TV preachers, all they ever speak of is how God will bless your life if you give their ministry some money.

Paul's life reminds us of the hardcore truths of living for Jesus Christ. Really giving your life to Him means dying to yourself.

"Then He (Jesus) said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." Luke 9:23 (NIV)

This is why so few really wind up living for Christ. The price is high. Let me ask you today - what price are you willing to pay to be a whole hearted, fully devoted follower of Christ?