The Sphere God Has Assigned Us

Reading:  2 Corinthians 10:13-18
    
    It is hard to miss Paul’s critics in the background of this section.  He defends himself against charges that he and his fellow-workers are “overextending ourselves”(2 Cor 10:14) by claiming them as his converts.  He insists that he does not “boast beyond limit in the labor of others”(2 Cor 10:15) and refuses to commend himself (2 Cor 10:18).  These critics have grown territorial, arguing that Paul has no right to claim authority among them (despite the fact that Paul helped start the church in Corinth) because this is not his sphere or “area of influence”(2 Cor 10:13, 15-16).  Perhaps these opponents also claim their own authority as apostles (2 Cor 11:5, 12).

    So Paul pushes back:  “But we will not boast beyond limits, but will boast only with regard to the area of influence God assigned to us, to reach even to you.  For we are not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach you.  For we were the first to come all the way to you with the gospel of Christ”(2 Cor 10:13-14).  Paul has a sphere of influence God has assigned him which most certainly includes Corinth.  He reminds them that he was, by the work and assignment of God, the first to teach them about Jesus.  He also contends that he enjoys preaching in completely untouched places (see Rom 15:20).  But he also has a broader rebuke:  this is not about building a resume or gaining followers for himself.  “‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.’  For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends”(2 Cor 10:17-18).  Jesus’ approval is what matters.

    Paul only boasts in “the area of influence God assigned to us.”  We have limits.  We cannot fix every problem, meet every need, and convert every person.  Yet God is not disappointed in our limits; he merely wants us to serve in the sphere he has given us.  In our homes and neighborhoods, in our workplaces and churches, with our friends and family, there is sufficient work to occupy us forever.  Rather than comparing with others or seeking to impress others, we must learn to accept our sphere and boast only in Jesus.

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One Thing to Think About:  What “sphere” has God assigned me?

One Thing to Pray For:  Freedom from the desire to impress others
 

The Comparison Problem

Reading:  2 Corinthians 10:7-12
    
    Paul is defending himself against some in Corinth who are undermining his influence.  He lists one of the prominent accusations against him.  “I do not want to appear to be frightening you with my letters.  For they say, ‘His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account’”(2 Cor 10:10).  They mock Paul’s letters as stronger and harsher than he actually is in person.  It is a way of discrediting the power of what he has written.  “Let such a person understand that what we say by letter when absent, we do when present”(2 Cor 10:11).  Paul rejects this idea with the ominous pronouncement that when he comes, his words will be matched by strong actions.

    Yet even here, Paul cautions them not to take him the wrong way.  “Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves.  But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding”(2 Cor 10:12).  In his defense of himself, Paul doesn’t want the Corinthians to think that he is like these opponents.  Such people continually “measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another” in efforts to appear more important, successful, and worthy of respect than others.  Paul is not stooping to the methods of others—trying to demean and badmouth so that he looks better by comparison.  When we use such tactics, we “are without understanding.”  

    The comparison problem is that we often feel that our only value is found in comparison to others.  I must find others who look worse than me.  The respect and attention I desire is only found at the expense of others.  Paul insists that this is not the way true servants of God should think of themselves.  We don’t need comparisons to make ourselves look better.  We already matter to God.  More, such personal attacks only distract from the significant spiritual issues we must navigate as we work together and seek to please God.  Comparison gets me no closer to God or others.  When we use such tactics, we “are without understanding.”  

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One Thing to Think About:  Do I ever make myself feel better by looking down on others?

One Thing to Pray For:  The security to trust that God’s love is what makes me valuable
 

Take Every Thought Captive

Reading:  2 Corinthians 10:1-6
    
    Paul begins here to defend himself against some of the criticisms of the Corinthians.  He especially wants them to make some changes now so that his visit to them will be pleasant rather than painful (see 2 Cor 1:23, 2:1).  “I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold when I am away!—I beg of you that when I am present I may not have to show boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh”(2 Cor 10:1-2).  Some in Corinth have accused Paul of being weak in person and bold in letter; he urges them to change so that he doesn’t have to prove them wrong!  If they continue on their present course, his visit will not be as weak as they suspect.

    Yet Paul stresses that this is not about physical intimidation.  “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.  We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ”(2 Cor 10:4-5).  Paul has neither physical methods nor physical goals.  His battle is with arguments, opinions, and thoughts that are hostile to Jesus.  He is fighting for the very soul of the Corinthian church; he will fight for it from a distance and in person.  In engagements like these, physical weakness or strength (see v. 10) is meaningless.  The Corinthians misunderstand Paul because they misunderstand the nature of spiritual warfare.

    Paul’s goal is to “take every thought captive to obey Christ.”  He is convinced that the Corinthians’ thoughts matter and wants to win them over.  Obedience to Jesus begins in the mind.  The mind must be won.  It is not enough to give Christ my body; it is not enough to give him some of my thoughts.  I cannot rest until my every thought is captive to his leadership, tuned to obedience. 

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One Thing to Think About:  Have I ever mistaken physical weakness for spiritual weakness?

One Thing to Pray For:  Purity in thought
 

Enriched by Giving

Reading:  2 Corinthians 9:6-15
    
    How should Christians give?  “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully”(2 Cor 9:6).  Sowing and reaping mean that we surrender something in the present in anticipation of a future blessing.  We are confident that God notices our sacrifice and will supply our lack.  This makes our giving a joy rather than a drudgery:  “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver”(2 Cor 9:7).  We give of our own goodwill, eagerly and cheerfully. 

    And Paul insists that God blesses givers.  “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work”(2 Cor 9:8).  God’s gifts to us (“all grace”) enables our gifts to others.  He assures us that giving will not prevent us having “all sufficiency in all things at all times.”  God will supply.  “He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.  You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God”(2 Cor 9:10-11).  There is something counterintuitive here.  Giving does not enrich us, yet here we are promised that we “will be enriched in every way.”  We have more when we give away what we have.

    God blesses givers.  God loves a cheerful giver.  We do not give ourselves into poverty.  Yet the enrichment of this text is spiritual—so that we may abound in every good work (v. 8), so that we can be generous (v. 11), and to increase our harvest of righteousness (v. 10).  Giving enriches us when its spiritual blessings outweigh the advantages of keeping our money.  When we are blessed with the opportunity to give, we need eyes to see how it blesses others, glorifies God, and fulfills our purpose.  

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One Thing to Think About:  Do I truly believe that “it is more blessed to give than to receive”(Acts 20:35)?

One Thing to Pray For:  The faith to sow bountifully by giving to others
 

The 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