(A) Introduction. (Read the reference)

In this passage Paul highlighted 3 failures of some in the church at Corinth. It may seem depressing to deal in one exposition after another with these failings but, sadly, many of them persist amongst Christians to this day. Unaddressed and unresolved they continue to weaken the church.

The church at Corinth failed to:

(B) Defend Paul.

He wrote: I have made a fool of myself, but you drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, for I am not in the least inferior to the "super-apostles", even though I am nothing. v11.

In all probability the "super-apostles" dismissed Paul as being nothing, hence the irony, even though I am nothing. They may have accused him of not being a genuine apostle. He had no written testimonials, lacked visions and revelations and was sadly deficient in charisma. All in all he was far too unimpressive to be an apostle.

Paul had to remind the Corinthians: The things that mark an apostle - signs, wonders and miracles - were done among you with great perseverance. v12. In other words Paul performed miracles throughout his stay in Corinth - just as he did in the other churches he founded. Added to which Paul was used by the Holy Spirit to save many of the church members at Corinth and instruct them in the truth.

In view of all the evidence why were the Corinthians so backward in defending Paul? There are three likely reasons:

(1) They were overawed and taken in by the impressive visitors from Jerusalem.

The "super-apostles" had glowing testimonials, academic qualifications, impressive appearances, personalities and communication skills with additionally a fine repertoire of arresting revelations.

Many Christians have been led into error or kept in error by leaders such as this. How can our charismatic, gifted pastor be at fault? How can my gracious, liberal, erudite professor of Theology be wrong? How can the bishop, a true prince of the church, revered by his peers, be unsound? Sadly pastor, professor and bishop can all be in error.

(2) They were immature and proud.

The Corinthians were like headstrong adolescents. Some, but not all, teenagers feel the need to assert themselves, to break free from parents and establish their independence. This may entail rejecting their parent's values and doing 'their own thing'.

There is probably something of this in the attitude of the Corinthians who wanted to break free from the influence of Paul, their father in Christ. See 1Cor3v1to4, 1Cor4v8 and 1Cor4v18and19.

Some young Christians, especially those brought up from infancy in the church, get the urge to leave their parent church and go elsewhere. A few even start up 'their own church.' They are following in the footsteps of the Corinthians!

(3) They were cowardly and weak.

Whenever anyone in an organisation speaks the truth and is unpopular with those exercising power they may well lack support because others are cowardly. People who may be in agreement with the sentiments expressed keep quiet because they don't want to be branded a trouble maker or lose favour with the people who matter or simply become unpopular themselves.

I found this happened a lot in schools! I was rarely supported when I spoke out in a staff meeting against some fatuous development in education although colleagues might come to me afterwards and say, "I agreed with every word you said."

It is very true in Christian circles. Church members keep silent in a business meeting who have lots to say in the car going home! Men are condemned as unsound by the "super-orthodox" on denominational committees and receive not one word of support from those who actually agree with them.

One sad day a group of pastors of churches in the association to which my church belongs wrote a letter to the officers of our church. The letter said in effect that our church would never be blessed while I remained an elder because of my doctrinal views. I was the problem at Brockley Baptist Church. They requested a meeting of the church officers to discuss the matter. I didn't have to defend myself. At the meeting my fellow elder, Edward, renowned for his meekness went on to the attack. He told the pastors theirs was the cruellest letter he had ever read. He so took the wind out of my accuser's sails that the meeting was rapidly wound up.

Sometimes it is necessary to defend a brother or sister who is unjustly criticised. It is wrong to shirk our duty in this respect. It is moral cowardice.

(C) Understand Paul's motives.

The Corinthians failed to understand Paul's motives regarding:

(1) His unwillingness to accept financial support.

Paul wrote: How were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was never a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!

The Corinthians didn't like it because Paul received financial help from the Philippians but refused it from them. I can imagine them saying things like: "What's wrong with us? Isn't our money good enough? Are we so inferior to those Philippians?"

So Paul tried to explain his motivation. See vs14and15. Paul assured the Corintians of his love. He didn't want to be a burden to them. He likened himself to a loving father who makes sacrifices for his children. Paul didn't want the Corinthian's money only their hearts - their love.

Now doubtless much of what Paul wrote was true but I believe the apostle was wrong not to accept gifts from the Corinthians. After all, children like to give presents to their parents - especially as they mature and the relationship slowly changes. One way of expressing love is by giving.

So I have sympathy with the Corinthians but nonetheless they were being unduly sensitive about the matter and very touchy on the subject. Paul, on the other hand, never admits to making a mistake!!

(2) The collection he was taking up for the Jerusalem church.

Paul wrote enigmatically: Yet crafty fellow that I am, I caught you by trickery.

It is not apparent what Paul meant by this, another one of his ironical asides. Some may have accused him of winning approval and worming his way into the affections of the Corinthians by not charging for his services. The "super-apostles" may have suggested Paul was going to 'take his cut' from the collection for the poor in Jerusalem. There would be 'administrative costs.'

Paul pointed out that none of the men he had sent to Corinth to organise the collection - including Titus - had charged expenses for their time, expertise or travelling costs. See vs17and18.

(3) His defence.

Paul anticipated the Corinthians would accuse him of spending his second letter commending himself. Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? v11. This is the very thing he criticised the false apostles for doing.

There is no doubt that Paul devotes much space to self-justification in his second epistle to Corinth. The modern reader might well feel it is rather unbecoming! Warren Wiersbe points out in his commentary that relatively few sermons are preached on 2 Corinthians. It is not the favourite Bible book of many preachers!

We must remember Paul's assertion: We have been speaking in the sight of God as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening. v19.

Paul wrote as one in Christ, one committed to him, dependent upon him and united to him. He chose his words carefully saying nothing that God would not corroborate. Paul adopted the foolish policy of self-commendation so that the Corinthians would accept his unique calling as the apostle to the Gentiles with the authority vested in him. Only by so doing would they heed his teaching and be built up in the Faith individually and collectively.

Lessons.

(1) We should accept the fact that people don't always want payment for helping us. I give my old friend, Phyllis, a lift to chapel. I enjoy her company. I don't want payment! But trying telling Phyllis!

(2) We must be careful not to serve Jesus for base motives such as financial reward, praise, status or a pious reputation.

(3) If we ever need to defend ourselves we should make our defence before God and man. We should only claim those things God knows are true.

(D) Change.

As Paul prepared to make another visit to Corinth he was very apprehensive that he will find nothing has changed. Many members will not be living up to his expectations. If that proved to be the case the Corinthians wouldn't find him as they would like him to be!

Paul feared the persistence of four key failings he addressed in his first epistle:

(1) Factionalism and disunity associated as it was with quarrelling, jealousy, anger, slander and gossip. These are horrible, ugly, disfiguring traits.

(2) Arrogance - manifest in a 'know it all' attitude and a 'you can't tell me what to do' mentality. It made the Corinthians unteachable and resulted in arrested spiritual development.

(3) Disorder both at the communion service and during the Sunday worship services.

(4) Sexual misbehaviour such as that involving prostitutes and pagan worship.

Such failings as these are like the most robust of weeds - very difficult to eradicate.

Here are a list of reasons why we are so reluctant to change:

(a) We make excuses for ourselves. Our failing is just human nature, down to our environment or upbringing, part of our temperament and disposition.

(b) Sin has a terrible hold on us. It is like an addiction to nicotine. We are addicted to gossip, sex, money, clothes, adulation .... .

(c) It requires too much effort to change. It is too difficult to work harder, pray longer, accept more responsibility in the church or be kinder.

(d) I've failed to change in the past - it is too late now.

(e) What difference will it make if I am baptised, join the church, attend the prayer meeting or entertain the visiting speaker.

(f) We all have to rely on grace. When all is said and done God will finally forgive my sins for the sake of his Son.

(g) If God wants me to change he must do it through his Spirit. The Holy Spirit must take away my love of sinning. God give me love for my neighbour.

(h) We judge ourselves no worse than others. Everyone else has faults and failings. We are happy with ourselves as we are - in comparison with our fellow Christians who are not much to write home about.

(E) Conclusion.

Jesus expects the conduct of his followers to change. He expects us to be humbler, kinder and more forgiving. He expects us to give generously, seek first the kingdom of God, serve one another and pray earnestly. Let us make some effort to live up to the expectations of Jesus.