Again I say, don’t think that I am a fool to talk like this. But even if you do, listen to me, as you would to a foolish person, while I also boast a little. Such boasting is not from the Lord, but I am acting like a fool. And since others boast about their human achievements, I will, too. After all, you think you are so wise, but you enjoy putting up with fools! You put up with it when someone enslaves you, takes everything you have, takes advantage of you, takes control of everything, and slaps you in the face. I’m ashamed to say that we’ve been too “weak” to do that! But whatever they dare to boast about—I’m talking like a fool again—I dare to boast about it, too. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.
2 Corinthians 11:16-27 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/2co.11.16-27.NLT
Apostle Paul's discussion here is about false preachers and how they do things that gratifies self. He however said if they can boast on their achievement he can although it sounds foolish but his own boasting was actually based on his experience living for Christ. The persecution he faced, his journey and walk with Christ so far.
Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak without my feeling that weakness? Who is led astray, and I do not burn with anger? If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am. God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, who is worthy of eternal praise, knows I am not lying. When I was in Damascus, the governor under King Aretas kept guards at the city gates to catch me. I had to be lowered in a basket through a window in the city wall to escape from him.
2 Corinthians 11:28-33 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/2co.11.28-33.NLT
Apostle Paul's boasting is more about the persecution he faced doing the work of God not the boasting that draws people towards him and far away from God.
2 Corinthians 12
This chapter started with Apostle Paul still talking about boasting of some experiences. He specifically mentioned the out of body experience he had. He said as of then was fourteen years ago where he was caught up to the third heaven.
This boasting will do no good, but I must go on. I will reluctantly tell about visions and revelations from the Lord. I was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don’t know—only God knows. Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know that I was caught up to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell. That experience is worth boasting about, but I’m not going to do it. I will boast only about my weaknesses. If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message,
2 Corinthians 12:1-6 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/2co.12.1-6.NLT
God gave him the privilege as of that time to witness paradise while he was still alive, that is a unique and unusual experience. I understand some people have since had similar experiences but here Apostle Paul stated that he wouldn't boast about such experience because he doesn't want the credit. In other words he doesn't want people reverencing him above God. He believed that in boasting it's easy for people to begin to see him more like God almighty and that was not his goal.
This to me is a caution for believer, Christian leaders and their followers. No matter how authentic, heaven alerted, updated you are as a Christian or Christian leader or follower always remember the attention shouldn't be on you but Jesus Christ. Once the attention is shifted from Christ to you, that's heresy.
even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/2co.12.7-10.NLT
Apostle Paul continue to explain about not boasting and he mentioned pride, we know pride is something that got Satan kicked out of heaven. There are good pride and there are bad ones. Good pride leads you and the people back to your source and God, while bad pride is just about self and flesh.
However, apostle Paul said to get rid of this pride God gave him a thorn in the flesh so that instead he can boast in his weaknesses. I did some research on this and there are numerous interpretation but one that I felt was much closer to the scripture was he was deflated of anything that will make him pumped up or be drunk in his Apostleship instead God enveloped him with sufficient grace.
I pray lord for your sufficient grace so that I will not fall short due to fleshy desires and accomplishments that stands against your will in Jesus name amen.
2 Corinthians 12:11-15 Apostle Paul expresses his displeasure and feelings towards the Corinthian churches. How they have been and how much he has poured into them. I see this as a constructive criticism, he was telling them how much love he had for them and how they have taken everything with levity. He specifically mentioned that he doesn't wish to become a financial burden to them that parents ought to provide for their children not the other way round.
This is quite deep because many of us hurt our parents, and we also hurt God by been adamant on doing things our way even when it's absolutely wrong. I know some decisions are right but taking counsel of elders, godly counsel and direction of the Holy Spirit is vital in our walk with God.
2 Corinthians 16-21 Apostle Paul continue to address the Corinthians and what they've said about him, he questioned them if he had ever tricked them or if any of the people he sent to them have. He said he only sent people ahead because he was afraid what he would see when he comes will humble him because the Corinthian churches were sold out to the works of flesh.
Again Apostle Paul depicts the character of a true leader. You are not a good or true leader if you don't have the best interest of those who you lead at heart.
2 Corinthians 13
This is the third time I am coming to visit you (and as the Scriptures say, “The facts of every case must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses”). I have already warned those who had been sinning when I was there on my second visit. Now I again warn them and all others, just as I did before, that next time I will not spare them. I will give you all the proof you want that Christ speaks through me. Christ is not weak when he deals with you; he is powerful among you. Although he was crucified in weakness, he now lives by the power of God. We, too, are weak, just as Christ was, but when we deal with you we will be alive with him and will have God’s power.
2 Corinthians 13:1-4 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/2co.13.1-4.NLT
Apostle Paul started this chapter with final advise to the people. This advise was addressing sinful nature and sin. He also referred to Jesus being crucified in weakness, I do not want you misunderstand this as Jesus being weak in nature. This referred to the death on Calvary when he bore the sin of the entire human race so he can unite us back to God. Then Apostle Paul further explained that even as believers we are strong through Christ.
I noticed as a believer when you focus more on your weakness you fail to thrive in the will and ways of God but when you focus on Christ His grace is forever sufficient for you.
Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith. As you test yourselves, I hope you will recognize that we have not failed the test of apostolic authority. We pray to God that you will not do what is wrong by refusing our correction. I hope we won’t need to demonstrate our authority when we arrive. Do the right thing before we come—even if that makes it look like we have failed to demonstrate our authority. For we cannot oppose the truth, but must always stand for the truth. We are glad to seem weak if it helps show that you are actually strong. We pray that you will become mature. I am writing this to you before I come, hoping that I won’t need to deal severely with you when I do come. For I want to use the authority the Lord has given me to strengthen you, not to tear you down.
2 Corinthians 13:5-10 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/2co.13.5-10.NLT
All I can say is true leaders of faith like Apostle Paul are rare in these days we live. They are not easy to come by but if one happen to have such leader follow them as you follow Christ don't worship them please continue to worship God because they will always lead you to Christ. He mentioned in this letter that the church should examine themselves if they still operate in genuine faith. I think this is applicable even till today, we must always examine ourselves if we are still walking by faith because it, it is impossible to please God and we can't boast that we know God genuinely if we fail this test.
Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet each other with a sacred kiss. All of God’s people here send you their greetings. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
2 Corinthians 13:11-14 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/2co.13.11-14.NLT
Apostle Paul closed the letter encouraging the people to be joyful , to show love to each other, and blessing them with the grace of the Lord Jesus which we fondly know as the benediction.
Our God is great and He is a loving God. If you are reading this today, I urge you to seek God more and learn to study His word more so you can know Him more and build a relationship with God almighty.
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