2 Corinthians 11 16 12 13 Pauls Defence

2 Corinthians 11: 16 -12: 13 Paul’s Defence! Boasting as a fool!

Previously! • The theme of foolish boasting (11: 1– 6) • Defending his policy regarding financial support (11: 7– 12) • Describing the true identity of his opponents (11: 13 – 15) • He knows the Corinthians’ determination to compare him with his rivals. • He also knows the Corinthians’ vulnerability to those who commend themselves

Passage breakdown! • Justification for foolish boasting (11: 16– 21 a) • The grounds for "foolish boasting" (22 -33) -His physical heritage (22) -His sacrificial service as a minister of Christ (2333). • Paul's "foolish boasting" continues- A vision and its aftermath (1 -13) -The vision of paradise (1 -6) -The thorn in the flesh (7 -10) -The signs of an apostle (11 -13)

1. Justification for foolish boasting (11: 16– 21 a) First, Paul is compelled to boast Second, Paul is doing this with great reluctance Now he is about to boast as a fool! Why? Because: Their tolerance apparently had no limits The intruding aliens had “reduced them to slavery” by robbing them of their liberty in Christ and seeking to re-impose the Mosaic law • The Corinthians had become very inconsistent. • • •

2. The grounds for "foolish boasting" (11: 22 -33) • Two grounds for boasting: A. HIS PHYSICAL HERITAGE (11: 22) • Philippians 3: 4 -6 • Eph. 2: 12 • Paul was a Hebrew of Hebrew parentage • As an Israelite, Paul was a member of God’s people and kingdom, Israel

2. The grounds for "foolish boasting" (11: 22 -33) • As a descendant of Abraham who had been “circumcised on the eighth day” (Philippians 3: 5), Paul was an heir to the covenants based on God’s promise • So to the first three claims mentioned, he responds with the simple, phrase “so am I” for all three -Are they Hebrews? So am I -Are they Israelites? So am I -Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I

2. The grounds for "foolish boasting" (11: 22 -33) B. HIS SACRIFICIAL SERVICE AS A MINISTER OF CHRIST (11: 23 -33). • v. 23 Paul’s list of “accomplishments” begins • But unlike the super-apostles, Paul’s list recounts not triumphs but apparent defeats • And relates not to strengths but “weaknesses” (11: 30; 12: 5, 9, 10).

2. The grounds for "foolish boasting" (11: 22 -33) • Paul’s crowning trial and privilege was, however, incessant—the daily pressure of his anxious concern for all the churches (cf. Acts 20: 18– 21, 28– 31). • He had an ongoing concern for the churches. • An embarrassing descent to escape the hands of men (12: 32 -33) and then an exhilarating ascent into the presence of God (12: 2– 4).

3. Paul's "foolish boasting" continues. A vision and its aftermath (1 -13) A. THE VISION OF PARADISE (1 -6) Is Paul recounting his own experience when he writes, “I know a man in Christ … he heard … “? Yes because: 1. He knew the exact time the revelation took place (v. 2) and that its content was beyond words even if it were permissible to try to communicate it (v. 4). 2. The revelation was directly related to the reception of a “thorn, ” which was given, says Paul, “to me” (v. 7). 3. The reference to a lack of awareness whether he was in the body or not (vv. 2, 3) points to a personal experience.

3. Paul's "foolish boasting" continues. A vision and its aftermath (1 -13) 4. For Paul to relate a remarkable experience that happened to some Christian unknown to the Corinthians but known to Paul would not fit the context. -If Paul is speaking of himself in vv. 2– 4, why does he make it vague? • First, he was embarrassed that he was compelled to boast (v. 1) • Second, he wished to avoid suggesting that he was in any sense a special kind of Christian

3. Paul's "foolish boasting" continues. A vision and its aftermath (1 -13) • Third, Although Paul recognized the honor involved in being the recipient of a vision, he wanted to dispel any idea that it added to his personal status or importance • Fourth, Paul will boast in things which show his weaknesses” (v. 11: 30) • He will not boast about himself except about his weaknesses (12: 5) • He will gladly boast about his weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on him (12: 9)

3. Paul's "foolish boasting" continues. A vision and its aftermath (1 -13) He delights in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecution in difficulties for when he is weak then he is strong (12: 10). B. THE THORN IN THE FLESH (7 -10) • The agent implied by the passive given is God. -beneficial purpose—preventing spiritual conceit -and that Paul requested the Lord for the departure of the messenger (v. 8). • The “thorn” was given immediately or shortly after the vision described in vv. 2– 4.

3. Paul's "foolish boasting" continues. A vision and its aftermath (1 -13) • It is remarkable that Paul could regard his affliction as given by God and yet as “a messenger of Satan. ” • God allowed Satan to place thorn in Paul. • For Satan it was for evil but God allowed it to serve a god purpose. • Divine power finds its full scope and strength only in human weakness

3. Paul's "foolish boasting" continues. A vision and its aftermath (1 -13) • The greater the Christian acknowledges their weakness, the more evident Christ’s enabling strength (Philippians 4: 13). • It was not, the weaknesses themselves that Paul took delight but the opportunity weakness opened, for Christ’s power to reside and be effective in his life (v. 9 b).

3. Paul's "foolish boasting" continues. A vision and its aftermath (1 -13) C. THE SIGNS OF AN APOSTLE (11 -13) -Paul reiterates that it had been by coercion • He performed “Signs, wonders and miracles” • There was also faithfulness to the apostolic message (11: 4) and conduct that was consistent with the example of Christ (10: 1; 13: 14). • Significant, too, is Paul’s use of the passive voice in this verse (v. 12) (“the things that mark an apostle … were done among you”); he disowns any credit for the supernatural signs accompanying his ministry

How about us? • Leaders, do we have a concern for the flock which grows to becoming continuous anxiety? • What do you boast about? Go boast about what Christ has done for you! • How do you pray? Go plead and listen! • Who do you listen to? • You and I need to be grounded in sound doctrine so that we are not tossed about by every wind of false doctrine.

How about us? • We need to stand firm so that we are not robbed of our freedom in Christ. • If you had believed these super apostles, it is not too late to repent. Repent now! • If you are feeling weak, humbly present your petitions before him, listen to his response and watch his power at work in you. • Most importantly, if you had not placed your faith in Jesus for salvation, the time is now.