The Remarkable Paradox
Paul's Concern for the Corinthians
11I 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.
12The things that mark an apostle—signs, wonders and miracles—were done among you with great perseverance.
13How were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was never a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
First of all what is a paradox? Webster's dictionary says---- a statement that seems contradictory but may be true to fact .
It seems like Paul is contradicting himself , First he says " I was not all inferior" then in the next phrase says " even though I am nothing "
How can we be servants of God and say we are " not all inferior" ? In fact to me that would suggest that Paul was saying he was better than the rest. But I do not believe that was what Paul was trying to say in this passage . I think by saying " I was not inferior" he means that every thing he is in Christ , Christ can do through him and makes him equal to anything the other apostles can do .
I also think Paul was trying to tell us to beware of false prophets ( or as he says " super - apostles" . Listen carefully what they have to say about themselves .
1.... Do they claim anything is coming from them ?
2.... Do they " puff" themselves up and claim to have remarkable ability ? Do they claim anything is coming from them ?
3.... Or are they proclaiming the power is coming from Christ?
By this we will know them and by their fruits we will recognize them
So that in itself should be our lesson as servants of the most High God . We have the ability to say I do not look at other people's giftings and say they are better but focus on my own God Given abilities and ask God to help me to develope my giftings to be a blesssing in my own community and church.
We can say .... Philippeans 4:13 ....I can do everything through him who gives me strength
If God tells me to do something .... I can do it .... I can obey His Word .... I can follow His footsteps relying on God I can do everything ..... but relying on self .... I am nothing .
Paul's Concern for the Corinthians
11I 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.
12The things that mark an apostle—signs, wonders and miracles—were done among you with great perseverance.
13How were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was never a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
First of all what is a paradox? Webster's dictionary says---- a statement that seems contradictory but may be true to fact .
It seems like Paul is contradicting himself , First he says " I was not all inferior" then in the next phrase says " even though I am nothing "
How can we be servants of God and say we are " not all inferior" ? In fact to me that would suggest that Paul was saying he was better than the rest. But I do not believe that was what Paul was trying to say in this passage . I think by saying " I was not inferior" he means that every thing he is in Christ , Christ can do through him and makes him equal to anything the other apostles can do .
I also think Paul was trying to tell us to beware of false prophets ( or as he says " super - apostles" . Listen carefully what they have to say about themselves .
1.... Do they claim anything is coming from them ?
2.... Do they " puff" themselves up and claim to have remarkable ability ? Do they claim anything is coming from them ?
3.... Or are they proclaiming the power is coming from Christ?
By this we will know them and by their fruits we will recognize them
So that in itself should be our lesson as servants of the most High God . We have the ability to say I do not look at other people's giftings and say they are better but focus on my own God Given abilities and ask God to help me to develope my giftings to be a blesssing in my own community and church.
We can say .... Philippeans 4:13 ....I can do everything through him who gives me strength
If God tells me to do something .... I can do it .... I can obey His Word .... I can follow His footsteps relying on God I can do everything ..... but relying on self .... I am nothing .