2 Corinthians 12:11-21 I am become a fool in glorying; you have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you… I. IN THE PAST. 1. He remembers the ill-treatment which forced him to speak with apparent boastfulness of himself (ver. 11). The words are partly ironical, partly speak of an impatient consciousness, that what he had been saying would seem to give colour to the opprobrious epithets that had been flung at him. 2. He remembers the work which he had done amongst them, and which raised him above all the apostles (ver. 21). Paul possessed supernatural power, and wrought supernatural results. This they could not deny (1 Corinthians 2:4). Can a man who was conscious of such power as this be charged with egotism in proclaiming it in the presence of his detractors? Does he become "a fool in glorying"? 3. He remembers that for his labours amongst them he had not sought any temporal assistance (ver. 13). Probably it had been insinuated that Paul cared less for the churches at Corinth than for those at Macedonia, because he had maintained his independence and sought no gifts. II. PROSPECTIVELY. Here are — 1. Loving resolves (ver. 14). He resolves that he would not be burdensome to them, but pursue the same independency and act as a father laying up for them, not they for him, etc. And all this, whether they love him or not. What noble generosity breathes in all these resolves! 2. Painful memories (ver. 16). This, again, is ironical. You say that although I made no demand on your purses for myself, that I did want a collection for the "saints," and that out of that I would craftily take what I wanted. He seems to fling back upon them their accusation of his being crafty, and catching them "with guile" (vers. 17, 18). Neither Titus, etc., nor he had ever sponged on them, but had maintained their high independency. In saying this, he deprecates the idea that he was amenable to them for his conduct, but to God only (ver. 19). 3. Anxious apprehensions (ver. 20). His tender nature seemed to shrink at the supposition of the old evils still rampant there (ver. 21). The great thing to be dreaded is sin. It is the "abominable thing," the soul destroyer of humanity.Conclusion: 1. Do not judge any minister by the opinions of his brethren. Paul was the best of men; but in the opinion of his brethren he was the worst. 2. Do not cease in your endeavours to benefit men because they calumniate you. The worst men require your services most, the "whole need not a physician." 3. Do not sponge on your congregation. Do not seek theirs, but them. 4. Do not cower before anything but sin. (D. Thomas, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing. |
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