Boasting of Weakness- 2 Cor 12
2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10; 2 Corinthians 12:2-10; Mark 6:1-13 In this section of 2 Corinthians, Paul has been responding to a situation in the Corinthian church. Some other preachers have come to the community, and it seems like they are making accusations against Paul, and claiming that their preaching represents a truer gospel. They seem to be wanting the Christianity of the Corinthians to be more Jewish, in a sense. These other preachers seem to be emphasizing their own credentials, and their spiritual power. Paul responds with a call to humility and a focus on God’s grace. Paul is not interested in proclaiming himself. He proclaims Jesus Christ as Lord. And in contrast with the visiting preachers’ emphasis on spiritual power, Paul proclaims himself and his companions as slaves for Christ’s sake (2 Cor 4:5). Paul finds himself in the awkward position of responding to the accusations of these preachers, and having to defending himself as an ambassador of Christ. He engages in what he c...