BETHEL SUNDAY SCHOOL 22 AUG 2021
Text: 2 Corinthians 10:12 – 17

SELF-COMMENDATION

1. This is never good

2. This is never wise

REJECTION OF SUCH AN APPROACH
(2 Corinthians 10:12a)

1. Paul would not compare himself to his detractors

2. He would not commend himself like they did

BUT THEY
(2 Corinthians 10:12b)

1. These were the detractors of the Apostle Paul and his team

2. They measure themselves by themselves (their own yardstick)

a. They set their own standards of ministry

b. They measure themselves according to their own standards and not the Lord’s

c. They would commend themselves

3. They compared themselves among themselves

a. They compared themselves with each other in their own circle

b. This was “not wise” as far as Paul was concerned

PAUL’S “BOASTING” EXPLAINED

1. Boasting in a positive manner (2 Corinthians 10:13)

a. Paul’s rejoicing in the work of faith

b. Paul’s glorying and taking pride in the work that God has appointed him to do

2. But he would not boast beyond measure (2 Corinthians 10:13)

a. Within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us

b. What God has appointed Paul to do

i. To preach the gospel

ii. To minister to the Gentiles in particular

iii. To develop missions work

iv. To plant Churches

c. Limitations

i. Paul would not boast areas that God has not appointed him to

ii. He would not glory in another person’s work!

3. Paul’s authority in the Corinthian Church

a. Paul was the one who brought the gospel of Christ to them

b. He founded the Corinthian church

c. He was obviously appointed to shepherd the church with Apostolic authority

d. But this authority was undermined and challenged by Paul’s detractors

GREAT CONSISTENCY THROUGHOUT

1. Paul was consistent

a. He has lived by the truth he taught

b. He has proven himself to be consistent with his faith in Jesus!

2. No abuse of authority (2 Corinthians 10:14)

a. He acknowledges the authority that was given to him by the Lord

b. He preached the gospel of Christ in Corinth with power and authority

c. He founded the Corinthian Church and hence would have authority over them

d. He defended his authority against the attacks of his detractors

3. Hope in God (2 Corinthians 10:15 – 16)

a. His hope was for the faith of the Corinthians to increase!

b. That their faith would increase as they ponder the truths Paul was teaching them

c. That they would stand by Paul and see the gospel spread even further – beyond them!

4. Glory in the LORD (2 Corinthians 10:17)

a. Paul may speak of boasting but he would never glory in himself!

b. He would not be like his opponents who commend themselves to be approved

c. He would faithfully serve the Lord and glory in Him

d. He understood the truth of this text from Jeremiah 9:23 – 24

e. It is God’s approval and commendation that mattered most to Paul!

APPLICATION

1. Let’s always rejoice and glory in the Lord

2. Let’s serve the Lord faithfully