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one respect: that he lacks the courage to compare himself with himself as his opponents seem to delight in doing - comparing themselves with themselves or among themselves. He has not the courage which they seem to possess, of setting up his own standard of com parison and glorification (x. 12). Ac cording to God’s measure” is the measure of Paul’s standard. He is too timid to constitute himself, as his opponents constitute themselves, a self-admiration and a mutual admira tion society.” Foolish he may be but not so foolish. The 'conduct of his opponents in thus comparing them selves with themselves is here likened to a lack of understanding: “ without understanding” (ver. 1 2 ), which means the “ inability to put two and two together” 5: (cf. Romans xv. ,21, , Ephesians v. 17). Thus claiming superiority, they are shown to lack ordinary common sense. The apostle claims the right, how ever, to be bold and courageous in his attitude towards the Corinthian Chris tians, for they constituted that part of God’s vineyard which had been allotted to Paul for labor and fruit (x. 13-16). A man’s work shall be his reward, the, fruit of his labors his best vindication. This is what Paul claimed under God with reference to his work at Corinth. The enemies of the apostle were using the Corinthians as a basis for their glorying. They had no right to do so. The Corinthians were the result of Paul’s labors. He, if any human being (which, of course, he denies, x. 17) * has a right to point to the Corinthians as a vindication of his apostleship and a source of real commendation. He would not build upon another man’s foundation (Romans xv. 17-20), nor would he be guilty of taking the glory for other men’s work (ver. 16). To go where no other worker had gone, to build where no one else had built, to evangelize the “ regions beyond” this Continued, bottom of Page 863
blessing, while disobedience thereto brings punishment (x. 6 ). What a mistake to look upon things “ after the outward appearance” (x. 7), or, as they are called, “ things before your face” (x. 7, R. V.; cf. Luke xvi. 15; 1 Samuel xvi. 7; Jeremiah xvii. 9, 10). Not “ the things before your face” but the things before the throne are what count for victory in this war fare. It is as if the apostle said: “ You say my .personal presence is weak and contemptible; that when I am before your Yace I make ho strong impression. All of which I admit is true. But I ask you to look not upon Paul as he stands before your face, but see God in all the wonderful power of the gospel in front of and also behind Paul inspiring and empowering him. Even though I have authority from Christ, even greater than that claimed by my oppo nents, and even though I should put on a bold front, as I do, so they say, in my, letters, when I am wth you, I hrould not then be playing false with you, for such boldness and authority is mine from Christ. It would' not be an assumed attitude, for such a power I have as an ambassador of Christ, (x. 8 ). Surely I am no less Christ s than are my opponents. Surely the marks of an apostle I bear among you, cer tainly, even if not among others (such marks as we shall see in chap. xii.). Let those who think that we are of ‘no account’ (cf. 1 Corinthians i. 26- 28; vi. 4) ‘reckon’ (cf. x. 2, 7) on this: that we can be the same, whether present or absent, in word or by letter. That which we have always been, we are, and we shall be when again we visit Corinth” (x. 11). Words and deeds must go together in a true Chris tian worker (1 John iii. 17, 18; James ii. 14-26; Acts vii. 22; Romans xv. 18). 2. Paul’s Glorying is According to the Divine Standard (x. 13-18). If in any sense the apostle is weak, timid or seemingly cowardly, it is only in this
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