New
THROUGH TH E BIBLE
Second
Testament
with
Corinthians
DR. WILLIAM EVANS
11
1
In our study of 2 Corinthians we have considered Introductory Matters, the Synopsis of the book, the Introduc tion (1:1-14), the first main division: ‘ ‘Matters Concerning the Apostle’s visit to the Church at Corinth” (1:15— 7: 16), the second main division “ Matters Concerning the Collection for the Poor Saints at Jerusalèm” (8:1-9:15), and Sections 1 and 2 of the third main divis ion: “ Paul’s Apostolic Character and Authority Vindicated.” We now con tinue with Section 3 of the third main ■division. 3. The Emoluments and Evidences •of Apostleship (11:1-12:18). The emol uments are described in 11:1 to 12:10; the evidences in 12:11-21. (a) The Emoluments of Apostle- ship (11:1-12:10). Apologetically, the apostle here resorts to the same tactics as those employed by his adversaries, viz., that of glorying in one’s self or one’s work. In thus doing, he is some what abashed, a fact which he puts before the Corinthians at the beginning (11 :1 ), the middle (11:16-20), and the end (12:11) of this section. The strength of his own claims to apostleship, as contrasted with the weakness of those of his opponents, is ;set forth under the guise of what may be called foolish boasting (11:1). This foolishness, however, is not as bold as that referred to in the first epistle (1: 18-21, 23; 3:18-20). The zeal of the apostle for the Cor inthian church is natural inasmuch as he was its father in the faith (cf. 1 Cor. 1:14; 4:15). So in this sense the church at Corinth was his daughter. Who, then, wonder! that when he
should present his daughter to Christ, the Bridegroom, he would be desirous of presenting her as a pure virgin (11: 2) ? The time of conversion was the time of their bethrothal. Some day, when the Lord shall return, the mar riage itself shall W consummated (cf! Ephesians 5:27; John 3:29; 1 Thess. 3:13; 5:23; Rev. 19:7-9). Just as Eve, pure and spotless, was presented to the first Adam (Gen. 2:18-25; 1 Cor. 15:45) so would Paul present the Corinthian Christians to Christ, the second Adam. The Apostle is not unmindful of the subtility of Satan through his agents (11:13-15; cf. Eph. 4:14) to thwart that purpose by substituting scholastic philosophy and science, falsely so- called (Col. 2:8-10), for simple faith in Christ. Whether the language of 11.4; “ For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye 'have not accepted, ye might bear well with him,” is sarcastic or not, it at least shows us the nature of the claims of the false teachers and the fact that it was another gospel they were preaching. Is it right that one who is engaged or ready to be married (as the Corinth ians were to Christ) should listen to the proposal of another (the false gos pel proclaimed by the false teachers)? Is this the proper thing to do? No. One’s sense of loyalty compels a nega tive answer. The Saviour was to the Corinthians the Christ, not merely Jesus; He was the anointed Saviour of the world, not merely and certainly not
Made with FlippingBook Online newsletter