Twin City church of Christ Blog
“July 1, 2024 - A Divine Jealousy”
Categories: 2024 Reading DevotionalsA Divine Jealousy
Reading: 2 Corinthians 11:1-11
Paul warns that he is about to engage in “a little foolishness”(2 Cor 11:1) by presenting his credentials as an apostle to combat the charges of his opponents in Corinth. Why will he do this? “For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ”(2 Cor 11:2). He is jealous because he wants them to continue the commitment they have made to Jesus. “But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough”(2 Cor 11:3-4). Paul is deeply concerned that the Corinthians are ready to leave the Lord for another Jesus, another spirit, even another gospel. This irks him and leads him to argue from his “foolishness.”
One of the accusations Paul faces is that he refused to accept pay from the Corinthians while working with them. Somehow they view this as a slight rather than a blessing. “Did I commit a sin” by doing this (2 Cor 11:7)? “I robbed other churches”(2 Cor 11:8) by taking their support while in Corinth and even then, “I did not burden anyone” in Corinth (2 Cor 11:9). “And why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!”(2 Cor 11:11). They see his refusal to accept money as a sign of his lack of love; Paul says it proves the opposite.
Sometimes it is difficult to separate my concern for my brother from my personal hurt. Paul has been hurt and personally attacked by the Corinthians, yet he insists that he has “a divine jealousy” for them. This letter is less about justifying himself than ensuring that they remain faithful to Jesus. Sometimes we will be hurt by others, but this is not the supreme issue. “Divine jealousy” is appropriate. I should have a passion for my brothers to continue faithful to Jesus no matter what.
-----------
One Thing to Think About: Do I ever struggle distinguishing personal hurt from concern from my brother?
One Thing to Pray For: A divine jealousy for my brothers and sisters
