THE K I N G ’ S BUS I NESS
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for the third time, as he intends to do, he will not change his policy in this regard (12:14). Why should he change it, seeing it has not been wrong but in full accord with a divijne principle (12:14), and an illustration of the un selfishness of his ministry among them (12:14, 15)? Thus does he also repu diate the charge of the false teachers against him— that being crafty, he caught the Corinthians as the hunter catches his prey in a snare (12:16). Neither he nor his representatives were guilty of any such deceit (12:17, 18). The apostle would not have the Cor inthians think that all the while he has had self-vindication in their sight in mind (12:19). Not at all. He is in terested in being clear “ in the sight of God” (12:19; cf. 2:17; 1 Cor. 4:3, 4). God alone can read and judge motives. Not to defend himself, but to build up the Church of Christ is the end the apostle has in view in all his, reasoning and dealing with the Corinthians (12:19). He would love to find an absence of the bitter fruits of false teaching, such as “ strife, jealousy, wraths, factions, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults” ( 1 2 : 2 0 ) in their midst when he again visits them. To find such ex isting vices would be to him a real per sonal sorrow and loss ( 1 2 : 2 1 ). 4. Apprehensions of View of Paul’s Intended Visit (13:1-10). The apostle announces an intended third visit to the Corinthians, in which he avows his intention of dealing in severity with sin ners who had been doubting the reality of Christ speaking in and through him (13:1-3). No weak front will he pre sent. The Christ whom they had known by and seen in him, as well as felt in their own experience, was the Christ of “ power.” Weak Paul may be in him self, but strong he is in Christ (13:4). Had the Corinthians challenged the Christ in Paul to manifest his power? So it would seem from 13:3. They
mitted to afflict Job bodily, so Satan is permitted to treat Paul likewise; The purpose of the affliction is clearly stated: lest the apostle should be puffed up by reason of the abundance of reve lations granted to him. Paul frankly admits the danger, and also the pur pose of the thorn in the flesh. For the removal of this affliction, Paul prayed three times. His prayer was unanswered as to the removing of the affliction, but grace sufficient was furnished to endure it, so that Paul by this experience learned the value of “ seasonable grace” (Heb. 4:16), that is, grace sufficient to bear whatever afflictions of life come to us. Paul is to learn that “ power” (not “ my” power) is made “ perfect in weakness” ; strength, in infirmity; might, in help lessness, The strength of Christ is con trasted with the weakness of Paul. This mode of answer to prayer ,Paul readily and gladly accedes to and rejoices in. He recognizes that it compels daily grace and bestows continual commun ion with his Lord. (b) Evidences of Apostleship (12: 11-21). Instead of Paul having to thus glory, the Corinthians ought to have gloried in his behalf and stead. His life and work in their midst should have met with commendation from them. It ought not to have been neces sary for Paul to have descended to this kind of glorying and defence (cf. 3:1- 2; 5:12; 10:12-18). The signs of an apostle he surely had, both Godward and manward (cf. 12:12; 4:17; 5:5; 7:10; 9:11; Mark 16:20; Acts 10:38; Acts 2:22; Hebrews 2:3, 4). Not one bit was he behind these self-styled “ chief apostles” :; (the reference here being not to the twelve apostles of our Lord but to the false teachers). Ironically, he refers to one thing in which, perchance, he lacked one sign of an apostle— the matter of receiving compensation for his services among them (12:3 ). When he shall visit them
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