We should all do more of it. 2 Corinthians 11.7-11
2 Corinthians 11 (3)
Pray Psalm 71.23, 24.
My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing to You,
And my soul, which You have redeemed.
My tongue also shall talk of Your righteousness all the day long;
For they are confounded,
For they are brought to shame
Who seek my hurt.
Sing Psalm 71.23, 24.
(Solid Rock: My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less)
My lips with joy and praises ring; to You, Redeemer, praise I bring!
I praise Your goodness all day long; LORD, humble all who do me wrong.
Refrain v. 3
A Rock of habitation be; command Your Word to rescue me;
my Rock and Fortress ever be!
Read 2 Corinthians 11.1-11; meditate on verses 7-11.
Preparation
1. How were Paul’s material needs met while he was in Corinth?
2. Of what did he intend to continue boasting?
Meditation
The Corinthians had made a turn for the better in response to Paul’s first epistle. But Paul did not hesitate to remind them of matters still to address, such as the continuing presence of false teachers.
Here, Paul reminded the Corinthians of their selfishness. They allowed him to preach and minister among them for more than a year and a half, yet they never contributed a penny to help meet his material needs. He had to rely on the churches in Philippi and Macedonia for that (vv. 7-9). Paul never said a word of this because he did not want to burden them unnecessarily. But he wrote pointedly about it in 1 Corinthians 9.
He boasted in the Lord and His provision. This was yet another proof that the “truth of Christ” was in him, that God was so gracious to provide for him all that time. He rejoiced to boast about the Lord and His great provision. Paul took no credit for this, but he pointed to Jesus here to celebrate the goodness of God and remind the Corinthians their duty—not to him but to the believers in Judea.
And why did Paul boast about the Lord in this matter? To rub the Corinthians’ nose in it? No, but because he loved them, and he wanted them to follow his example, for his example was his proof of discipleship and apostleship. Whatever the Corinthians had to give up to share with the Judean Christians, God Who was with them and at work in them, would provide all their needs as well.
Treasures Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
Paul allowed himself to think and write the things he did because he knew the truth of Christ was in him (2 Cor. 11.10).
If all believers were as confident of that condition as he was, things in the church would happen smoothly and kindly because it would be working as a “well-oiled machine”. Without much ado, physical needs would be met, the workload would be spread fairly, the lights and the water would always be on in the building, and the green grass would grow all around. Each participant would be working diligently in their own Personal Mission Field; therefore, the coming harvest of new believers would be fruitful because the ground of their souls had been tilled well, good seeds had been sown, all of that watered, and the sun would be shining brightly on the new growth. Each one doing their part to make the whole body functional.
What is the truth of Christ that will light that fire in our hearts? And give us that Pauline-confidence to say and do the things we have been called to say and do?
It is first and foremost to know that: we desperately need a Savior because we are sinners.
“…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3.23).
Next we rejoice because God provided a way for us to be freed from His condemnation:
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 6.23).
Then we must understand how it is that we came by this gift:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Eph. 2.8, 9).
And finally we must understand that there is work to be done now that we have received and accepted this incredible gift: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2.10).
Because we are so thankful, so grateful, so overwhelmed by this gift, we choose to live by God’s Law and His Kingdom standards—realizing that we cannot please Him apart from doing it His way.
The truth of Christ enlightening our hearts to see—the truth of Christ.
When God laid down the parameters for living out the truth in the Ten Commandments, one of the things He said was this: He would show mercy to those who love Him and keep His commandments (Ex. 20.6).
And Jesus said the same: “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (Jn. 14.15).
This truth, most assuredly, is not “easy believeism”, nor is it a Monopoly “Get out of jail free” card.
When we accept this incomparable gift, we accept the guidebook and the rules that go along with it.
Paul believed all these truths. Paul lived out all these truths. It is where he got his confidence and boldness. And he challenges us to do the same: “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (1 Cor. 11.1).
Want to do some holy boasting?
Boast on— “as the truth of Christ is in me, no one shall stop me from this boasting”!
Just make sure your boasting is Christ-truth based, not some self-defined gobbledygook (2 Cor. 11.4).
For reflection
1. What opportunities for boasting in Christ will you have today?
2. Why is it spiritually healthy for us to boast in the truth of Christ that is in us?
3. How could you use singing to improve and increase your holy boasting in the Lord?
Lest any one should suspect, that Paul’s words were designed to induce the Corinthians to be more liberal to him in future, and endeavor to make amends for their error in the past, he affirms with an oath, that he would take nothing from them, or from others in Achaia, though it were offered to him. For this manner of expression ― the truth of Christ is in me, is in the form of oath. Let me not be thought to have the truth of Christ in me if I do not retain this glorying among the inhabitants of Achaia. John Calvin (150901564), Commentary on 2 Corinthians 11.10
Pray Psalm 71.14-18.
Pray for revival and renewal today, in yourself and your church. Ask the Lord to give you opportunities to boast in Him today.
Sing Psalm 71.14-18.
(Solid Rock: My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less)
But as for me my voice I raise to sing in hope and constant praise!
With saving grace my voice will swell Your never-ending grace to tell.
Refrain v. 3
A Rock of habitation be; command Your Word to rescue me;
my Rock and Fortress ever be!
O LORD, I praise Your righteousness Who me from youth have taught and blessed.
Forsake me not when I am old, ‘til I Your mercies all have told!
Refrain v. 3
T. M. and Susie Moore
The Church in Corinth was in need of revival. But there was much to be done before that would happen. The Church today is in need of revival, and the same is true for us. Our book, Revived!, can help us to discern our need for revival and lead us in getting there. Order your copy by clicking here.
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter, available by clicking here.
