Bible Study for the Day: 2 Corinthians 10

20060104

2 Corinthians 10

        For those of us who are modern Christians, the thought of St Paul, arguably the father of Western Theology, defending himself and his ministry against the criticisms of some of the Christians in Corinth seems almost absurd. Paul, however, understands the nature of his calling, which is why he is the great evangelist we understand him to be.

         2 Corinthians 10 is not just Paul’s defense of his ministry to the Corinthians, but subtly a warning to Christians as well. First, we are often critical of those who minister to us, by choice or by calling. Second, we are sometimes guilty of letting our ego impede our ability to witness to the Gospel.

         How many times have we complained about a pastor or a sermon, haughtily claiming that we could have done better or that the man just does not just measure up to the mark we set. When the Gospel is not preached, such criticisms are correct, but how often do we make such criticisms when the Gospel has been preached? The warning here is that we must remember that the work of a minister- pastor or preacher- is the work of the Spirit. If we do not ‘get something out of’ the preaching of the Word, then perhaps we need to consider our own shortcomings first.

         One of those shortcomings is certainly our own ego. Apparently, there were some in Corinth who thought Paul’s testament was bluster, because they considered his previous visit to the church there to be unremarkable compared to his more recent letters. Indeed, these Corinthians were accusing Paul of the same ego that they themselves displayed in their criticism, and it is that kind of ego that often stands between us and our understanding and witness to the Gospel.

         Whatever else many be true, we must always remember that we can only boast in Christ, for without His saving Grace, we are but condemned sinners destined for hell. Praise be to God that we are saved by this gift, and may we set our own egos aside so that this Grace might be more fully revealed in us.

DLH