5/16/10 2 Corinthians 11-12
Paul is Afraid
(2 Co 12:20)20For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps there will be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances;
Paul continues to defend his apostleship and ministry to the Corinthian church. In chapters 11 and 12 Paul tells the church how foolish it is to boast about the surface and external issues. He uses himself as an example and shows that he can make the same empty or foolish boasts as his opponents. Paul is afraid that through these boastings of the false prophets the Corinthian church is being led astray from the simplicity (sincerity) and purity of devotion to Christ.
These false prophets are using deceptions and craftiness to sway the Corinthian church to follow them. They have come preaching another Jesus and a different gospel. Paul reminds them of his impeccable dealing with them as an apostle. They have seen in Paul the signs of a true prophet, signs, and wonders, and miracles. He shares that he has gladly spent and gave himself for building them up.
What he is afraid of is that all of what they have heard and seen from Paul has not been embraced or it has been set aside and things remain as normal with no growth since his last painful visit (2 Cor 2:1). Paul does not desire to come again and be the “bad guy” in order to set some things straight. There is a fear that the Corinthian church has not matured and Paul ponders what will happen if when he comes and finds them continuing is their former sinful actions and not having repented.
Prayer: Father thank for people in our lives who will be honest enough to confront us and hold us accountable in regards to any sinful behavior. I pray that your church will accept its rightful responsibility to hold one another accountable and provoke one another on to love and good deeds. Lord, give me a genuine concern for individuals or groups who evidence no growth and no repentance and are content to live is that condition. I ask that I will faithfully intercede on the behalf of those and where appropriate I will speak boldly to their condition as Paul does here, in Jesus name. Amen.