Paul recognized that it was considered foolish to boast about your own character and accomplishments. But he was finding it necessary in order to counteract the false claims being made against him by the false teachers in Corinth. Paul asked that he not be considered a fool for the way he was defending himself. But that if he was considered a fool anyway, he requested that they at least hear him out the way they would another fool. (v.16)
He also clarifies that he is doing this for the sake of arguing on the same field as his opponents. Not because he truly takes pride in himself and his accomplishments. (v.17-18)
In verse 19, Paul is being sarcastic, as he was in verse 4. He points out the irony in the Corinthians putting up with foolish, boasting, false teachers while calling Paul's character into question.
This is a pattern natural to all of us. We tend to be critical toward those who teach the truth and welcome teaching that may be false but preferable.
Despite whatever preference these false teachers were fulfilling for the Corinthians, Paul points out the truth of what their teaching was doing to the Corinthian Christians. They were being enslaved by rules and ideas not required or advocated by God. They were being used (the implication is financial) and taken advantage of. These teachers were making themselves look great while humiliating the Corinthians. (A slap in the face in this culture was very much like literally spitting in someone's face today.)(v.20) Paul continues speaking ironically when he says that he was too weak to do all of those kinds of things to them.(v.21)
Paul continues to argue on the playing field of his opponents, admitting how foolish this kind of boasting is, as he compares his track record to theirs. He starts by establishing equal credibility with them in his ethnicity and heritage. (Important issues to this culture.) He then claims greater credibility as a servant of Christ, interrupting himself in recognition of how foolish he was sounding to boast like this. Paul's history of pain accumulated while serving Christ was far greater than those of the false teachers working against him.(v.21-23)
The 39 lashes and stoning were specifically Jewish penalties for crimes. As a Roman citizen, Paul should have been protected from punishment by rod, but officials sometimes chose to overlook these rules. Among both his own people and non-Jewish cultures, Paul suffered more than most people will ever experience for simply teaching the truth.(v.24-25)
Traveling by sea was extremely dangerous during this time period. Rescue at sea was much less common than today. With the lack of communication technology and no lifeboats or life-jackets, death was very likely in the event of a ship going down. But these were risks Paul was willing to take and even payed the price for more than once!(v.25) In fact, he would become shipwrecked at least one MORE time after writing this letter!(Acts 27:39-44)
Traveling in general was very dangerous, as bandits frequently ambushed travelers. Yet Paul was traveling a great deal for his ministry and encountered danger from nearly every type of environment and person he potentially could! (v.26) Paul's body had been physically pushed to its limit in terms of exertion, sleep deprivation, hunger, thirst and a lack of sufficient clothing in cold weather.(v.27)
Emotionally, in the midst of his physical pain, Paul was investing energy in the people he taught. When they were weak, he felt it right along with them. When they sinned, he felt both the shame and frustration surrounding it.(v.28)
In contrast to the pattern of this "honor/status-obsessed" culture(sound familiar?), Paul preferred to boast in the events that have showcased his weakness.(v.30) Paul again refers to God's absolute knowledge of the situation, since the Corinthians may have still not believed him.(v.31) When Paul was in trouble with the ruling government (a fact that would have shamed him in this culture), God provided a way out for him.(v.32-33)
All of this suffering, hardship and humiliation contrasted Paul with the false teachers in a way that validated his sincerity. Paul had nothing to gain in terms of financial wealth, comfort or popularity by suffering the way that he did. This man, who had once helped to hunt down and capture Christians, suddenly changed course radically because of a supernatural encounter with Jesus(Acts chapter 9) and spent the rest of his life suffering to serve Christ. The implied question he was asking the Corinthians to consider, the same question we should all consider today, is this: Why would Paul live the kind of life he was living if he knew that he was doing it all for a lie?
Next Week- With great blessing comes great humility?
Coffee House Question- In what way do you think our image-obsessed culture makes it difficult to be a Christian?
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