2 Corinthians 10
Today's Passage: 2 Corinthians 10
It’s not just the social media age that has people in competition with each other. From Cain and Able to Jacob and Esau; from Joseph and his brothers to the disciples who craved the thought of sitting at Jesus’ right hand, boasting is a generational problem.
The Apostle Paul knows a thing or two about this as well, as much of his ministry after his conversion was a consistent defense of his apostolic authority and the truth of his gospel claims. He doesn’t have the track record of an untouched celebrity; he’s got some scars and the letters to prove it.
2 Corinthians 10 is another one of these defenses. Paul has been accused of several things in this chapter alone that he is writing to address:
•Being tough with people in writing but soft in person (v. 1-2, 9-11).
•Boasting too much about being an apostle (v. 8,12)
Paul then spends verses 13-18 appealing how those who contend for the gospel are in a fight FOR each other, not WITH each other.
•v. 13: We won’t boast because we’re serving exactly and only where God told us to (paraphrase).
•v. 15-16: We won’t boast because God is the ultimate authority and setter of boundaries; we just obey him and go where he commands (paraphrase).
Then Paul sums it up by reminding everyone reading the letter, “if you must boast in something, boast in the Lord.” Where we have the fleshly tendency to give credit to ourselves or make more of our authority than we should, Paul’s heart is in the right spot as he gently reminds the Corinthian believers: we aren’t approved because we say so, but because God commends so.
As Christians, we have a great deal of control over our boasting. Much of the time, we are personally to blame for exhibiting pride in our things, status, or accomplishments. There are times though, when we may be perceived as elevated simply because God appointed and called. That’s why Paul is SO right when he tells us to “boast in the Lord.”
His power. His authority. His gospel. His call. His rule and reign. His world. His people. It is not the one who commends himself is who approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
Questions to ponder:
•How does this apply to your life? (job, title, service, etc.)
•Is there within you a high level of boasting in things other than the Lord?
•Are you neglecting to fulfill your God appointed duties because you fear what others think and have forgotten the truth of verse 18?
Written By: Drew Dukes
It’s not just the social media age that has people in competition with each other. From Cain and Able to Jacob and Esau; from Joseph and his brothers to the disciples who craved the thought of sitting at Jesus’ right hand, boasting is a generational problem.
The Apostle Paul knows a thing or two about this as well, as much of his ministry after his conversion was a consistent defense of his apostolic authority and the truth of his gospel claims. He doesn’t have the track record of an untouched celebrity; he’s got some scars and the letters to prove it.
2 Corinthians 10 is another one of these defenses. Paul has been accused of several things in this chapter alone that he is writing to address:
•Being tough with people in writing but soft in person (v. 1-2, 9-11).
•Boasting too much about being an apostle (v. 8,12)
Paul then spends verses 13-18 appealing how those who contend for the gospel are in a fight FOR each other, not WITH each other.
•v. 13: We won’t boast because we’re serving exactly and only where God told us to (paraphrase).
•v. 15-16: We won’t boast because God is the ultimate authority and setter of boundaries; we just obey him and go where he commands (paraphrase).
Then Paul sums it up by reminding everyone reading the letter, “if you must boast in something, boast in the Lord.” Where we have the fleshly tendency to give credit to ourselves or make more of our authority than we should, Paul’s heart is in the right spot as he gently reminds the Corinthian believers: we aren’t approved because we say so, but because God commends so.
As Christians, we have a great deal of control over our boasting. Much of the time, we are personally to blame for exhibiting pride in our things, status, or accomplishments. There are times though, when we may be perceived as elevated simply because God appointed and called. That’s why Paul is SO right when he tells us to “boast in the Lord.”
His power. His authority. His gospel. His call. His rule and reign. His world. His people. It is not the one who commends himself is who approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
Questions to ponder:
•How does this apply to your life? (job, title, service, etc.)
•Is there within you a high level of boasting in things other than the Lord?
•Are you neglecting to fulfill your God appointed duties because you fear what others think and have forgotten the truth of verse 18?
Written By: Drew Dukes
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