Twin City church of Christ Blog
“June 24, 2024 - The Good Kind of Boasting”
Categories: 2024 Reading DevotionalsThe Good Kind of Boasting
Reading: 2 Corinthians 9:1-5
Paul has a touchy matter to bring up. He has been bragging about the Corinthians and now he is concerned that they might embarrass him. The topic is still the contribution to help needy Christians in Jerusalem. “for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them”(2 Cor 9:2). Paul has been talking wherever he has gone—including Macedonia—about how Corinth and the churches in their region have been ready to contribute to the work since last year. In fact, his boasting has had a positive impact: “your zeal has stirred up most of them.”
Yet he has a concern. “But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be”(2 Cor 9:3). Paul is sending an advance message so that they can get the contribution ready. “Otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated—to say nothing of you—for being so confident”(2 Cor 9:4). Beyond that humiliation, they also would then feel they had to give—making it an “exaction” or requirement (2 Cor 9:5). Paul’s tone of gentle prodding encourages them while specifically not commanding them.
I am intrigued by Paul’s admission that he has been traveling around boasting about the Corinthians. Of all the problems he has had with them—from the significant issues of 1 Corinthians to the underlying tensions of this letter—he has kind things to say about them to others. It is appropriate and beneficial for us to boast in our brethren and the wonderful things they are doing. This is the good kind of boasting—boasting that encourages those we are talking about, those we are talking to, and ourselves as well.
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One Thing to Think About: Do I ever brag about people to others without any other agenda?
One Thing to Pray For: A heart to spread positivity
