Ep. 320. 2 Corinthians 12-13 | Test Yourself
EPISODE 320
TEST YOURSELF: 2 CORINTHIANS 12-13
Paul has just spent all of Chapter Eleven acting like a "fool" to show that the way the false teachers are boasting is not in line with the gospel of Jesus. Then Paul says, "I will not boast, except of my own weaknesses. For when I am weak, then I am strong." Now, keep in mind that Paul is saying this in contrast to the false teachers who are doing everything in their power to exalt themselves, but Paul, true to form, is indicating that he would rather boast in his weakness so that only Christ is exalted as strong. True boasting, then, is not based on what this teacher or that one has accomplished but on what Christ has done. Paul adds, "For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities." This is the third time he has mentioned suffering as the "proof" that he is diligently following Christ. It is hard for us in the Western world to completely understand that sentiment since we do not typically find our lives at risk because of our faith in Jesus. However, there are multitudes of people around the world who face hardships and even death because of their love for Christ. That, more than fancy letters of recommendation, should prove the genuineness of the true teachers.
Paul does tell the Corinthians, "Test yourself, to see whether you are in the faith. Examine yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? -- Unless indeed you fail to meet the test." Paul wants the Corinthians to take a long, hard, inward look to see if they have actually put faith in Jesus. I think this is good advice for us all. I am convinced that many people who think they are believers have, in fact, missed the gospel. Even Jesus himself says, "Not everyone who says to me 'Lord, Lord' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven." I am not suggesting that we should go around perpetually doubting our salvation, but only that, at some point, we should check to make sure that we are not false.
ADDITIONAL READING: Deuteronomy 17/19; Matthew 7:21-23
