I. Paul’s Holy Jealousy For The Church
A. Paul’s Spiritual Fatherhood Over Them Vs. 1, 2
1. V. 1- The false apostles often boasted in themselves, and the Corinthians listened to them.
a. Paul sarcastically asks the Corinthians for the same opportunity.
b. They boasted false things about themselves, and they discredited Paul.
c. Paul would boast about the true things God had done in him and through him.
2. Paul spoke as their spiritual father. 1 Corinthians 4:14-15 I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
3. As their father, he was willing to discipline, and knew that he had that right.
1 Corinthians 4:18-21 18Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. 20 For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. 21 What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?
4. As a father would not want his engaged daughter to marry a man other than her fiancé…
a. So Paul felt a godly jealousy for the Corinthians.
b. The false apostles tried to spiritually seduce the Corinthians to follow another gospel.
c. Just as a husband would fight for his wife…
d. Just as a patriot would fight for his country…
e. So Paul would fight for their spiritual well-being.
B. Paul’s Holy Fear For Them Vs. 3, 4
1. V. 3- simplicity– sincerity, singleness of devotion.
a. The church was being deceived into embracing something other than Jesus.
b. The danger for the church was that they would be unfaithful to Christ.
c. They were engaged to be married.
d. The fullness of that union between Christ and the church will come when Jesus Christ comes for His bride, the church.
e. The Corinthians were in danger of being seduced into unfaithfulness.
2. Paul says that the person behind this type of deception was Satan.
a. Just as Satan deceived Eve in the garden in a crafty way….
b. The Corinthians were in danger of being deceived.
c. This wasn’t an all-out frontal attack. That is easy to identify.
d. It was deception that was subtle, progressive, and very difficult to identify.
3. The battle is for the mind of the believer. What Satan did with Eve… (Genesis 3)
a. Genesis 2:16-17 16And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”
b. He questioned God’s word. “Has God really said?….”
c. He denied God’s word. “You shall not surely die!”
d. He substituted his words for God’s words. “You shall be as gods!”
4. Satan battles for our minds. He uses imitation. He gives other options. Discredits God.
a. Satan has a counterfeit gospel, with a different savior and a different spirit.
b. The counterfeit gospel received by the Corinthians was a mixture of grace and law.
c. Turn to Galatians1:6-12
II. The Authenticity Of Paul’s Godly Authority
A. Paul Was An Authentic Leader Chosen By God Vs. 5, 6
1. V. 5- Though Paul was apparently not a good speaker, he said that that was no measure of inferiority as regards his calling and authority.
2. Though he was not a good speaker, he was very knowledgeable with a proven life.
a. His lack of charisma in the pulpit did not discount his message.
b. He appealed to them, to recall how Paul had lived among them.
c. He was meek and gentle, like Jesus. See 2 Corinthians 10:1
d. It is strange how some people interpret meekness and gentleness for weakness.
e. Jesus was not weak. He did not lack in authority because he was meek and gentle.
f. Often, it takes much more spirituality to be meek, than to be overbearing.
3. V. 6- Thoroughly manifested- Paul’s authority was clearly seen all who watched him live.
B. The Carnal Judging Of Paul Vs. 7-12
1. Vs. 7, 8-Paul provided for the needs of the church w/o demanding anything in return.
a. He received support from other churches in order to minister in Corinth freely.
b. He took nothing from them, though he had the right to.
c. In fact, the false apostles used that fact against Paul.
d. They said if he was a real apostle, he would have accepted payment.
2. V. 8 Paul used a sarcastic remark, fit for the occasion.
a. He says he robbed other churches, to be able to preach to them freely.
b. The truth was, the Judaizers were doing the robbing of the Corinthians. See v. 20
3. V. 9 KJV- chargeable to no one. Speaks of an eel shocking its victim.
a. That part of the victim would become numb, useless, and a burden.
b. Paul did not become extra weight to them, rather, he carried them.
4. Vs. 10-12 Paul did not seek to brag about his generosity and humility.
a. He sought only to silence false accusations against him.
b. He sought to emphasize his true and Christ-like love for them.
C. The Inauthentic Leaders That Deceived The Corinthians Vs.13-15
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.
1. V.13- These counterfeit ministers claimed to have divine authority, but didn’t have it.
a. They claimed to be true servants, but were impostors.
b. In fact, they claimed that Paul was the impostor.
c. With their great oratory skills, they impressed the people, and put down Paul’s ability to speak. See 10:10, 11:6
d. These young Christians were swept away by these smooth talking speakers.
e. They were easily moved by their emotions, and did not stand on God’s truth.
2. V. 13- False apostles– pseudo- fake, pretend, not true. Like a fishing lure
a. Warren Wiersbe- The difference between Paul and the Judaizers was this: Paul used his authority to build up the church, the Judaizers used the church to build up their authority.
3. V.14- These false apostles not empowered by God, but by Satan.
a. transform- used 3 times in 3 verses. To disguise, masquerade.
b. Like Satan, they never appear in their true character, but always wear a disguise.
c. Paul sought to protect the church from these false apostles.
d. But the Corinthians fell for them, and welcomed them into their church.