Paul’S Concern For The Corinthians
PAUL’S CONCERN FOR THE CORINTHIANS
2 CORINTHIANS 12:11-18
How do we respond when we are misunderstood? Learn from Paul.
In 12:11-13 Paul again reminds his readers that he has a distinct purpose in view, and his mood as much as the contents of the letter are both dictated by the situation at Corinth. They have compelled him to parade himself as though he were out of his mind with conceit and self-importance (12:11). He has bragged in order to show that the accusations leveled at him by those who were undermining the Corinthian community are without substance.
The verses 12:11-13 really give a résumé of his case against the Judaizers:
In 12:14-18, Paul turns to consider future relations with the Corinthian church (12:14), holding out the promise of a third visit. This implies, as we saw earlier, an intermediate visit, referred to in 2:1. Now, as he contemplates the future visit, he makes it clear that what he wants is not money but the wholehearted acceptance by the church of his authority, a submission to Christ and a confidence in himself, with a clearing of the air of all suspicious and mutual recriminations.
But perhaps the Corinthians still believe that he has deceived them with clever tricks (12:16). This insinuation maintains that Paul was astute enough not to take any money directly from them, but he shared in the proceeds for the collection which they gave to his agents, notably Titus. The answer to this is a reminder of the facts which relate to the mission of Titus and the unnamed brother of 12:18 (the same man as in 8:22?). This latter person would be a man well known to the Corinthians and who would be able to testify to Titus’ honesty, and incidentally to Paul’s too. His presence would guarantee the integrity of the other Christians involved in the collection scheme (see 8:6).
To ponder Paul’s earlier teaching (8:21) expressed his own conviction to act always in a way above suspicion, especially in money matters. Can we say the same?