Second Corinthians 12 Part 2 Unselfish Love For A Wayward People

Paul was not esteemed by Corinthians but God blessed his ministry.

2 Corinthians 12:11  I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.  

Paul was guided by the Holy Spirit to make a masterful defence of apostolic ministry. 

However, Paul was not one who boasted about his achievements and he was uncomfortable when the spotlight was on his ministry.

Paul put the blame for his boasting upon the Corinthians because they did not stand up in his defence as they ought to have done.

Therefore, he had to provide a true and verifiable account about what God had done in his ministry. 

False apostles dismissed inspired truth that God communicated to His church through Paul and other apostles.

False apostles personally attacked Paul's character and integrity. 

They mocked Paul for using plain and simple words to preach the gospel of Christ.

In summary, false apostles elevated unverifiable experiences over accurate exposition of the Word of God. 

They valued the style of sophisticated discourse and oratorical skill more than clear preaching of the scripture.

They sought to control the people and enrich themselves while falsely claiming to be Christ's apostles.

Such was the serious nature of the deep rooted problems that Paul faced at Corinth.

This is why he was compelled to defend himself and the apostolic ministry.  

A wise or gracious man does not boast but Paul was forced to in order to vindicate the gospel of Christ.

It is a strong rebuke to the Corinthians because they did not immediately rally to defend and commend Paul's ministry. 

He labored in Corinth for almost two years and he poured himself into their lives. 

They knew the miracles God did by Paul and they knew how their own lives were changed by his preaching.

Paul worked harder than any other apostle to spread the gospel because of his past as a vicious persecutor of Christ's church.

He was on an equal level with Peter, James and John in apostolic ministry, even though false teachers and some Corinthians saw him as nothing (See 1 Corinthians 3:4-7; 2 Corinthians 11:5).

Corinthian Christians knew about the signs, wonders and miracles of Paul.

2 Corinthians 12:12  Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

The doctrine Paul preached and the power that attended it, and those converted to Christ, were clear proof that God sent him. 

Many other wonderful works were done by Paul that confirmed his ministry, and proved he was an apostle.

Paul's ministry was marked by a patient love for Corinthians and many signs, wonders and mighty miracles were done by his hand.

Romans 15:17-19  I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God. 18)  For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, 19)  Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. 

Paul truthfully declared how God used him to preach the gospel of Christ in many places. 

Mighty signs and wonders done by the power of the Spirit of God accompanied Paul's ministry.

This is what Paul refers to when he reminds the Corinthians about the signs and wonders he did at Corinth.

They were well aware of how God used Paul and it is sad that they did not defend him.

Paul reminded them that they did not support him like the other churches.

2 Corinthians 12:13  For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong. 

The apostle reminds the Corinthians that they were not behind any other church, nor was he behind the very chief of the apostles. 

They had no reason to be ashamed of him and despise him like they did when false teachers came.

Paul freely preached the Gospel to them, took no wages of them and worked with his own hands to supply his necessities. He did not want to be a burden to them. 

In this the Corinthians differed from other churches, who liberally supported Paul's ministry needs. Thus, they were inferior to the other churches in that regard.

Paul was their spiritual father but they did not reciprocate their love him.

2 Corinthians 12:14  Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. 

Paul was ready for the third time to visit the Corinthians. He wanted to visit twice before, but was disappointed (See 1 Corinthians 16:5, 2 Corinthians 1:15-16). 

Paul had a higher probability of being able to visit them at this point in time.

His main desire to that he sought to ensure that they were indeed converted and that they were not guilty of making false professions of faith in Christ.

He was troubled that they so quickly were led astray by false teachers.

As a father loves his family and provides for his children's needs, so Paul had a fatherly, apostolic love for the Corinthians.

He did not want any of them to go to Hell because they were not really born again. 

He is essentially saying to them: 

"You may have many teachers, but you have but one Father; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the Gospel (See 1 Corinthians 4:15)." 

"You are my children, and I am your father but you have not contributed to my support and I have laboured for your well being."

"I am like a loving father toward you working hard, and laying up what is necessary to provide for his children's needs."

Paul's selfless example of expending his energy in ministry to them.

2 Corinthians 12:15  And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. 

Paul promised to continue to be as a loving father, who expends his energy upon his children. 

He unselfishly expended his own strength and life in providing for them the spiritual things necessary for their preservation and comfort.

Paul had the most affectionate tenderness for the Corinthians even though they did not reciprocate his love. 

Often, loving fathers find that their disobedient children love them less than the love that is shown to them.

Willingness to endure all things in order to advance Christ's kingdom.

1 Thessalonians 2:8-9  So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. 9)  For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. 

Paul's heart of love for the churches he planted is clearly displayed in each of his epistles.

He was willing to give his own life for the people if it would benefit them. 

Like the Corinthians, Paul told the Thessalonians that he would not impose any financial burden upon them because he knew they were poor.

He worked tirelessly among all his churches and made tents to supply for his needs if the churches were unable to assist him.

2 Timothy 2:8-10  Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: 9)  Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. 10)  Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 

The apostle prepared young pastor Timothy for assuming greater ministry responsibility. 

He reminded Timothy that he suffered much for the sake of the gospel, and that false teachers like those at Corinth portrayed him as an evil doer.

Yet, Paul could say that he was willing to endure all things in order to lead sinners to repentant faith in Christ. 

Let us love others as Paul and Christ did, with a willingness to endure hardship, heartache and pain for the sake of the gospel of Christ.

Let us be faithful workers for Jesus who seek God's best for our family, our friends and our neighbors.

Bob