Paul has to speak very sternly to his beloved Corinthians, for they began to question whether Paul was an apostle because of his weak appearance and all of the sufferings through which he passed. The worldly Corinthians thought that an apostle of Jesus Christ should be powerful and glorious. There were such men in their presence who were drawing them away from obedience to Christ through the things that Paul had taught them.
Paul shows that all of the sufferings and humbling circumstances through which he passed were but a proof that he was the Lord’s apostle. The proof of his apostleship was the very sufferings and weakness that was his, which they despised.
He warns them that this third time he was coming to them, and he feared that when he came there he would not find them in a truly repentant condition, thus causing him to display the power, which they so coveted, to their sorrow and destruction. He loved them dearly and did not wish to use his power as an apostle for their judgment and loss.
1. Though Paul could have boasted of the revelation he received when caught up into the third heaven, he rather boasts in his weakness. How is a believer able to do anything? Philippians 4:___
2. What did faith accomplish for the weakness of those mentioned in Hebrews 11? Hebrews 11:___
3. Though the spirit in a believer is willing to follow the Lord, what did He say about the ability of our flesh to fight spiritual battles? Mark 14:___
4. Abraham was too weak in his body, because of his old age, to conceive a child; yet Isaac was born to him because he was not weak in what thing?
Romans 4:___
5. In Nehemiah’s day, when the remnant was rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem, they met with fierce opposition from the enemies of God and His people. To whom did Nehemiah turn for strength that the work might go on in spite of the threats of their enemies and the fear of the people? Nehemiah 6:___