Christ Jesus in Us

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November 30, 2008

Lesson: 2 Corinthians 12:19-13:10

Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 13:5

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Introduction

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Paul’s apostleship was of Christ alone. He did not decide to serve Christ in the office of an Apostle, he was a chosen servant. Paul illustrates this office as depending upon Christ’s authority and power in this testimony: “lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffer me, lest I should be exalted above measure” (2 Cor. 12:7). The temptation for the Lord’s chosen to build upon one’s own strength to serve him. Whatever the “thorn in the flesh” was, it drew Paul to seek the Lord’s answer. The answer would drive Paul to the assurance that he serves by the strength of Christ alone: “My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness” (12:9). Therefore Paul took “pleasure in infirmities, reproaches in necessities for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then am I strong” (12:10). By “pleasure” Paul is saying that he has found a freedom to see what is truly good and, therefore, resolves to face any infirmities by the strength of Christ, and to his glory alone.

As a minister of the gospel Paul’s love is seen in his earnest desire that the church grow in grace and peace. As his Lord’s minister Paul is willing to be spent on their behalf: “And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved” (2 Cor. 12:15). If he had to lose their love in order that they may receive the goodness of God, then he was so willing. Paul’s was an unconditional love, that love which can only come through Jesus Christ. To the praise and the glory of the grace of God, may the Father make us acceptable in his Beloved Son (Eph. 1:4-7).

The more excellent way is the way of love. This is demanded in us, what is in the heart of God. “God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God. Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy (covenant love): for thou renderest to every man according to his work” (Ps. 62:11-12).

Both the church and her ministers need to learn this lesson of love. Many a pastor has been exhausted in service only to find that the church abandoned him. Many Christians have returned the love they received with much praise and thanksgiving before their Lord. Yet it is not exhaustion that proves or disproves a minister, it is that unconditional love within him, that love with which he has been loved by the Lord. So with every child of God.

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Discussion: What is the minister’s strength in his service for Christ?

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Paul’s Fear  -2 Cor. 12:19-21

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As should every minister Paul’s faithfulness rested not in himself but in his bearing before his Lord. Paul speaks “before God in Christ” and for the edifying of the church. The risen Lord Jesus Christ, King and Head of the church, gave some, “apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:11-12). It is Christ we serve. It is his Body, the Church, to which we belong, one with another. Therefore we must grow “to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Eph. 4:13).

Paul’s concern is that this is not what is being done in the church at Corinth. “For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults.” Paul came with words of discipline because they had remained in their sin. Paul would rather had come with words of comfort before a people who have repented of their sin.

Therefore Paul desires to come, but with fear, “lest when I come again, my God will humble me among you and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented.” As a minister of God, Paul fears that he has come with grief and sorrow over the sins of others, looking for their repentance and faith. Paul would rather seen all that behind him and rejoice with them in their faith.

We are reminded that we are to sympathize with the sorrows or others, and not look down upon others who wrestle with sin. Are not both pastor and people to “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep” (Rom. 12:15)?:

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Discussion: What is Paul’s concern for the church at Corinth?

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Paul’s Power -2 Cor. 13:1-6

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This is the third time that Paul came to the church at Corinth. Two letters and now a visit from Paul seems to constitute a Biblical witness against those who continue to sin in the Corinthian Church: “In the mouth of three witnesses shall every word be established.” God’s word establishes Paul’s words: “One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established” (Deut. 19:15). Paul will face those who are unrepentant of heart. The witnesses speak against them. Their sins are known to the church, and it has had negative affects upon the people of God. Therefore Paul must act: “I write to them which theretofore have sinned, and to all others, that, if I come again, I will not spare.” Paul has been very patient in his admonitions, but when the sin continues without repentance, then sever actions must be taken.

To those who still rebel against Paul and his authority as an apostle, Paul cautions them: “Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.” Paul will not spare them since they so question Christ in him, and not in themselves. For they declare that they are mighty in Christ. However the gospel which Paul speaks is of Christ. And those who have so learned Christ have learned of him through his servant Paul. They spoke against the instruments, no matter how weak, whom God has chosen, and through whom they have come to believe.

Paul argues for the gospel in weak vessels by pointing his readers to Christ: “For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.” The Cross may seem a weakness to many, but those who serve Christ live by the power of God. The minister also is weak, but he too lives by the power of God. It is the power of God, Christ in Paul, that the Corinthians must see, and not the weakness manifested in the flesh.

The people are to take their eyes off of Paul and look at themselves: “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” It may be well that we learn this lesson, that we would examine ourselves, and the faith we have in Christ, that it may prove the faithfulness of the ministers who, through Christ and his word, leading us to see Jesus as our Savior. If those who disclaimed Paul as an apostle would examine themselves they would learn that the faith they have in Christ came from the faithful preaching of Christ’s servant, Paul.

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Discussion: What are the people to do to see the power of God in Paul?

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Paul’s Prayer -2 Cor. 13:7-10

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Whenever there is any admonishment, any witness of sin and its sorrow in another, the best place to be for that person is in the presence of God. We believe in the priesthood of believers. We are to intercede for one another. We are to pray, “Our Father.” Paul prays to God that these rebel Corinthians would not do evil. His appeal comes from a heart of love for them, and not for self. He prays not that he would be approved, but that they would “do that which is honest,” even if he and Apollos and others had to be seen a reprobates. In other words, if you really want to see us in that light, all right, but may our God bless you with deliverance from evil and the doing of righteousness. “The great desire of faithful ministers of the gospel is that the gospel they preach may be honored, however their persons may be vilified” (M. Henry).

No matter what others may think of us, there is really nothing that “we can do against the truth, but for truth.” The desire of the minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ is that truth be preached, unashamedly and with the power and wisdom of Christ. It is in this desire for truth in Christ that Paul prays for those who would do evil against God’s messengers. For when one turns against a faithful minister of Christ, selfishly seeking his own self-esteem, then he speaks against the Christ who has sent him. As Jesus said, “He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me” (Luke 10:16).

Paul is glad in the fact that they are seen as weak and those who are rebelling are seen as strong, for they desire their “perfection,” their progress in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul is willing to be seen as weak if it is true that they are strong. They will be strong if they are truly in the grace and power of Christ. Paul desires that they be strong, “according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.”

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Discussion: What was Paul’s prayer for the church?

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Dr. Robert LaMay

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Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2009 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.