THE APOSTLE PAUL'S BATTLE TO SAVE THE CORINTHIAN CHURCH
One critical example is the struggle to maintain true leadership in Corinth. In order to fully understand the books of Corinth in the Bible, one must better see the full context. Because of false apostles that crept in after Paul's departure, he is forced to defend his authority to lead. One will more fully benefit from and understand II Corinthians when seen in this context. They challenge whether he is a real apostle and his veracity regarding missed visits. Paul begins with saying he somewhat regrets having to send strong letters of reprimand.
2 Corinthians 1:23 - 2:4, “Moreover I call God as witness against my soul, that to spare you I came no more to Corinth…” (NKJV)
Continuing in chapter 2, verse 1, “But I determined this within myself, that I would not come again to you in sorrow. 2 For if I make you sorrowful, then who is he who makes me glad but the one who is made sorrowful by me?”
One or possibly two reprimanding letters from Paul are not preserved. He warned them regarding their chaos and trouble makers, but out of love for them.
Verse 3, “And I wrote this very thing to you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow over those from whom I ought to have joy, having confidence in you all that my joy is the joy of you all. 4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears, not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you.”
2 Corinthians really reveals Paul's heart, yet this book is his most defensive as he battles detrimental leadership. Like all of the letters, it reveals important doctrines and principles, but its greatest value is in revealing the kind of heart a truly inspired Christian servant leader should display. First, the earlier letter of reprimand was not well received by some and Timothy returned to Paul with this troubling news. His second visit was painful because of bad attitudes toward his leadership.
EVENTUALLY MOST OF THE CORINTHIANS REPENTED
The members, after receiving one or possibly two critical letters, eventually repented. This good news was brought to Paul later by Titus.
2 Corinthians 7:6-8, “Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more. 8 For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while.”
This is wonderful news for the founder and father of the Corinthian church of God. However, Paul realized that an active minority, including some dangerous leaders, were still present in Corinth. The false leaders had better appearances and better Greek rhetorical styles than Paul. But he said:
2 Corinthians 5:12-13, “For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart. 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you.”
The true believers are being given reasons for them to defend Paul's leadership to those in a bad attitude. Further, he compliments them for their deep repentance.
2 Corinthians 7:9-10, “Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.”
Paul can now see that his tough-love letters were worth it. He warns against close fellowship with those worldly pagan forces. This seems to include those false apostles as well.
2 Corinthians 6:14-15, “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?”
Paul further elaborates on the dangers of deceptive false leaders.
FALSE LEADERS ARE TRANSFORMED INTO ANGELS OF LIGHT
Paul warns of the tricky nature of false teachers. They appear pious and religious. It can be very misleading. They look impressive outwardly and vouch for each other’s status but Paul says beware:
2 Corinthians 10:17-18, “But ‘he who glories, let him glory in the LORD.’ 18 For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.”
Paul let the works done by God through him speak for themselves. He served for free.
2 Corinthians 11:9-12, “And when I was present with you, and in need, I was a burden to no one…And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will keep myself. 10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no one shall stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia. 11 Why? Because I do not love you? God knows! 12 But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast.”
The false teachers he knew would not serve for free as he did.
2 Corinthians 11:22-28, “Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they ministers of Christ? –– I speak as a fool –– I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. 24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep;”
Think of spending a day floating in the ocean on a piece of wood. What dedication!
Verse 26, “In journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness –– 28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.”
These are insurmountable credentials which the false leaders could not even begin to touch.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15, “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.”
Paul would deny them any moral or spiritual equivalence with himself. It is true doctrines and service that are the signs of true leadership. It is not always easy to recognize false apostles.
2 Corinthians 11:3-4, “But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted –– you may well put up with it!”
God wants us to find and follow true servant leaders as they follow the Bible.
1 Corinthians 11:1, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” (KJV)
Paul then covers his revelations revolving around his “weaknesses” and they are stunning.
2 Corinthians 12:7-9, “And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
Paul was strong and a loving, giving, servant leader as well.
ISSUES: HOW CAN WE ALL BE SELFLESS SERVANTS ?
