PAUL AND THE FALSE APOSTLES - A DEFENSE OF HIS CALLING IN CHRIST
By Ezekiel Kimosop
INTRODUCTION
Have you ever been discouraged in ministry to the point of seeking to quit? You are not alone. Many servants of God have walked that path but thankfully, God's sustaining grace kept them.
Some ministers and Christian workers have been subjected to untold humiliation and suffering, not in the hands of the people of this sinful world but by people who name the name of Christ!
These are the Sanballats and Tobiases who are overly judgmental of people's calling and service to God - all in their attempt at either discounting the contribution of God's servants or openly filing unjustified criticism of their calling in Christ.
Paul faced a group of high ranking Christian leaders who attacked him and discredited his apostolic calling. Their uncharitable acts did not spare the young Corinthian church that was struggling with the basics of Christian faith.
Paul was forced to shove them off in his second letter to the Corinthians.
This exhortation is drawn from my reflection on the passage of 2 Corinthians 11:5-15.
THE PASSAGE
"For I consider that I am not at all inferior to the most eminent apostles. 6 Even though I am untrained in speech, yet I am not in knowledge. But we have been thoroughly manifested among you in all things.
7 Did I commit sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge? 8 I robbed other churches, taking wages from them to minister to you. 9 And when I was present with you, and in need, I was a burden to no one, for what I lacked the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied. And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will keep myself. 10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no one shall stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia. 11 Why? Because I do not love you? God knows!
12 But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works."
[2 CORINTHIANS 11:5-15, NKJV].
PASSAGE ANALYSIS AND REFLECTION
This passage is part of Paul's exhortation to the Corinthians on false teachers who happen to claim apostolic authority as well. It is also part of Paul's defense of his apostolic authority that he commenced in 2 Corinthians 10:7-18.
It is apparent that some unnamed church leaders who were part of an opposition group, had attempted to cast seeds of doubt among the Corinthians [and perhaps other Gentile churches] on the validity of Paul's apostolic calling. They were perhaps linked to the radical Jewish group that ejected Paul from Corinth during his previous missionary visit (cf. Acts 18:1-17).
Paul used this passage to defend himself and to attack his unworthy opponents who had tried to claim space in the hearts of the Corinthian assembly.
Every servant of God should defend his calling by faithful and sacrificial ministry service that speaks for itself. They should never be motivated by gain or self acclaim but by the burden of ministry and the desire to glorify God.
In 2 Corinthians 11:1-4, Paul expressed his concern for the doctrinal welfare of the Corinthians. This passage was the subject of my teaching article titled "BEWARE OF ANOTHER JESUS AND A DIFFERENT GOSPEL" whose link was shared on this page last week.
In 2 Corinthians 11:5-15 which is our key text, Paul distinguishes himself from the false apostles using one key virtue that he had embraced in ministry: sacrificial service. While the opposing group attempted to assert themselves and demand material and financial support from their churches, Paul never asked for any support from this young Christian community.
Thankfully, his needs were met by some faithful churches in Macedonia - notably, the Philippians and Thessalonians - who regularly sent support to Paul and his ministry associates [cf. Philippians 4:10-20).
Paul's opponents were perhaps motivated by religious pride that arose from their privileged church offices. Paul reserved the harshest words for this group, saying, "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:13).
Pride is a ministry killer. Satan uses it to deceive God's servants in order to elevate themselves beyond God's measure and look down on other servants.
A second distinction on the false teachers is found in 2 Corinthians 11:5-6. Unlike them, Paul was not trained in speech but he had a superior advantage: he excelled in the knowledge of God's word.
Paul was a gifted theologian who was raised under Gamaliel, the eminent first century Jewish theologian (see Acts 22:3). To his credit, and to the glory of God, Paul authored 13 New Testament Letters. John wrote 5 while Peter wrote only 2.
Theological training is indispensable for preparing God's people for the ministry of God's word. There are many preachers today who are gifted with unparalleled eloquence but who in their pride and flamboyance teach error and heresy because they have no theological foundation. They have little knowledge of God's word!
Despite Paul's mastery of the Scriptures, he humbled himself under Christ so that he would win the hearts of the Corinthians in his simplicity. Humility is key to ministry success. The crave for heavy titles and salutations that is commonplace today is an unnecessary distraction and sideshow that stands in the way of the effectiveness of the gospel effort.
I once attended a function in a certain church and, unknown to me, a special sitting place was reserved for "Reverends" or ordained ministers, while non-ordained "pastors" sat elsewhere.
I had apparently received my ordination that year but I never fancied donning clerical collars and frocks. When I was introduced as a "Reverend", a quick attempt was made to change the sitting protocols because I had apparently sat with pastors! I insisted on remaining with the pastors.
Ministers by whatever title, office or description, are merely stewards of God's grace (1 Corinthians 4:1-2). They are part of the Christian community.
It is therefore important for every servant of God to take stock of the motivation that drives them in ministry. We should never seek the public gallery for personal acclaim or in order to outshine others. We should preach Christ crucified (1 Corinthians 1:23).
Yes, Christ must increase as we decrease (John 3:30).
Shalom
© Ezekiel Kimosop 2022
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