Paul briefly uses sarcasm when he says he wouldn't dare put himself in the same class as the arrogant philosophers working against him in Corinth (as though they were so great). But he switches to plain language when he says they are unwise to make themselves their only standard. (v.12)
This is a mindset common to modern "pop-spirituality". When we compare ourselves only to the standards we ourselves have created, its easy to come out looking much better than we actually are.
By contrast, Paul did not boast of his gifting or authority in a way that made him look better than he was. Paul limited his boasting of his authority to the field/sphere/realm God had assigned to him, which included the Corinthian church. (v.13)
Although Paul wrote with the authority of God, God did not grant Paul a universal organizational authority over all believers. It was because Paul brought the message of the gospel to Corinth that God gave him authority over the Christians there. (v.14)
Paul was not interested in having universal authority or more power. He didn't grasp for it by taking credit for the efforts of other Christian teachers. His aim was to strengthen the churches he had already established so that he coul expand his teaching efforts into new places. Paul wasn't caught up in trying to gain respect or recognition. He was trying to do the work of spreading the truth. (v.15-16)
Often, even when we are aiming to serve God, we can become preoccupied with what people think of us. (This is especially true of me.) By contrast (and example), Paul was only concerned about his reputation as far as it affected the reception of what he was teaching.
Now here's an interesting phrase. What do you suppose it means to "boast in the Lord" as Paul says in verse 17? He is paraphrasing Jeremiah 9:24, which can help us understand this idea.
"but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things," declares the LORD." (NASB)
Sometimes we can be skilled at talking a lot about our strengths and making it sound like we're praising God by throwing in some quick credits to God along the way. But Jeremiah 9:24 spends very little time describing the attributes of the one boasting and much more time describing the attributes of God. Someone "boasting in the Lord" will likely spend more time and passion talking about who God is and what he's doing and less time talking about the instrument God is using. (v.17)
In the end, God approves of the one he commends. Not the one who commends himself. (v.18)
Next Week- Truth Vs Religion/Spirituality
Coffee House Question- What can you "boast in the Lord" about?
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