By Robert L. Olsen, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
Finding Strength
2 Corinthians 12:7b–10; 13:2–8
Paul’s Weakness (12:7b–10)
The Corinthian believers had been boasting about visions and revelations, which Paul found to be foolish.
In this section Paul shows the Corinthians that he has had visions as well and he also can boast in what the Lord has shown him. The boasting about visions is foolish because it is not dependent upon the person who has the vision but on God who gives the visions.
However, for Paul, with his visions came a thorn in the flesh from Satan. This thorn in the flesh kept him from boasting. Even though Paul pleaded three times for God to take the thorn away, God instead used the thorn as a means of strengthening Paul.
Commentators are split as to what exactly Paul’s thorn in the flesh was. Some suggest it was an eye ailment or other physical problem, while others suggest it was opposition he continually faced. Regardless, the thorn caused Paul to rely on God, not himself. In doing so, even though Paul was weakened by this thorn he was actually stronger because he turned toward God for help.
This is an important lesson for Christians today. It is easy for us to try to do things our own way or the way that seems right to us. However, we do not have the entire picture before us. God does.
When we trust God and not ourselves we are trusting in the One who can help us better than we can help ourselves. It keeps us from becoming prideful and instead makes us humble.
Christ’s Strength (13:2–4)
Paul tells the Corinthians that he is coming to visit and that he is ready for confrontation if need be. It seems that Paul is going to take disciplinary action to deal with those who are sinning within the Church.
Church discipline is something that is seldom seen in Baptist churches today but used to be an important aspect of Baptist church life.
One important function of fellowship is to confront sin. If the sinner refuses to repent, then action needs to be taken. Jesus lays this out in Matthew 18, where church discipline is carried out for the benefit of the church and the sinner.
Because of the serious nature of this procedure and because of the confrontational aspect, many churches forgo this important piece of Baptist life. It would be beneficial to our witness if we emphasized it once again.
Our Choice (13:5–8)
The Corinthians were intent upon testing Paul, but Paul tells the Corinthians to test themselves to see if they were in the faith. Interestingly Paul was the one who founded the Corinthian church and yet this church was questioning his authority. If the Corinthians passed the test, it would imply Paul had passed the test as well since they were his spiritual offspring.
The idea behind testing our faith is a good one but one that should not discourage us. We need to check to see in whom we are trusting for our salvation — are we trusting in Christ or in something else? Our abilities? Our good works? Ourselves? Our baptism?
If we are not trusting Christ alone for our salvation, then we are not saved. We must live in a way that brings honor and glory to God because it helps us see that we are objects of grace and that we are not saved by our goodness or our works.
When we accept this grace from God it is only natural to extend grace to others which manifests itself in how we treat others.
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