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Guest, Join Papa Zoom today for some uplifting biblical encouragement! --> Daily Verses
Bible Study 2Corinthians
- Thread starter JohnDB
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Jim Parker
Member
Here's a modern translation: 2Co 5:12 (RSV) We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to be proud of us, so that you may be able to answer those who pride themselves on a man's position and not on his heart.
I think a good example of what Paul was talking about is found in what Jesus said about the scribes.
Mar 12:38-40 (RSV) And in his teaching he said, "Beware of the scribes, who like to go about in long robes, and to have salutations in the market places and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation."
Their appearance, social position and public behavior would suggest that these are devout men of God but their hearts are revealed by their cheating widows out of their homes.
JohnDB
Member
12 We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart
NIV
12 for not again ourselves do we recommend to you, but we are giving occasion to you of glorifying in our behalf, that ye may have [something] in reference to those glorifying in face and not in heart;
YLT
I dunno...
NIV
12 for not again ourselves do we recommend to you, but we are giving occasion to you of glorifying in our behalf, that ye may have [something] in reference to those glorifying in face and not in heart;
YLT
I dunno...
Last edited:
Sinthesis
Member
2Co 5:12 ¶ For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.
I believe Paul is telling Gentile Christian converts that they, through their belief in Christ, are in no way inferior to unconverted Jews or even Jewish Christian converts.
I believe what Paul is saying here is do not be prideful like the Pharisees that Jesus condemns in Matthew 23:13-36.
Chopper
Member
I believe that Paul is saying that his reputation was being slandered by his enemies. They were accusing Paul of vainglory. They wanted the Corinthians to believe that he converted them to Christianity only for another feather in his cap. They were saying that Paul's humility was only for show so that he could win over their confidence. Paul's ministry was from his heart, not like the false teachers who delighted in getting a convert of Paul's to come to their legalism of incorporating the Commandments of circumcision and Sabbath keeping for true Salvation.
Brother Jim's reference hit the nail on the head....Mark 12:38-40 (RSV) And in his teaching he said, "Beware of the scribes, who like to go about in long robes, and to have salutations in the market places and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation."
The false teachers were always trying to discredit Apostle Paul's credentials. He was a jail bird, kind of homely because of his beatings, history revealed that he was probably bow legged, not the handsome image of a great Apostle that Paul's enemies painted for the Corinthians.
When I used to attend the "Baptist Bible Fellowship" Pastors conferences, I could pick up real quick the pride in the Pastor's who bragged about how many converts they had and Baptized. It seemed to be a competition between the Pastor's each time we met. That is how your verse is acted out today.
Legalism? Yes! as I mentioned above.
Sinthesis
Member
First century gentile converts were having to work out which rules to follow (Acts 15). I suspect Paul is telling Corinthain Christians that following Jewish rules for appearances sake is no substitute for living a Christlike lifestyle.
JohnDB
Member
Jews had many rules...including measuring the water used for hand washing ceremonies. The foods they ate and things they couldn't touch (like pearls).
Worship days like Passover had a week of preparations and activities culminating in the feast at the end...which had many ceremonial portions to it as well
correction? many who THINK or TELL ya they follow the rules..
smaller
Member
Paul was "self" deprecating in the extreme, imho. Probably an opposite sight than what most posers take on.
There is a clear vote of "no confidence" in the flesh, from the Apostles.
Philippians 3:3
For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
There is a clear vote of "no confidence" in the flesh, from the Apostles.
Philippians 3:3
For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
JohnDB
Member
And I especially like the "new rules".correction? many who THINK or TELL ya they follow the rules..
Like:" I hold my pinkie out when drinking coffee because only heathens fist their cups
Fisting your cup is a sign of gluttony. "
And the list goes on and on.
Jethro Bodine
Member
Jethro Bodine
Member
Jethro Bodine
Member
For sure:
"...they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh" (Galatians 6:13 NASB italics mine)
2 Cor 5:12 sends me back to 2 Corinthians 3:1 which is saying that Paul does not need a letter of recommendation since the believers have the letter written in their hearts.
Paul apparently felt that some were causing disagreement in the church and he wanted to correct false teachings and false teachers. He says that he has the authority to preach what is correct.
2 Corinthians 1:21-24
2 Corinthians 3:5-7
Apparently some were teaching Law instead of Grace and he wanted to correct this.
2 Corinthians 3:9-18
When Moses was read a veil still lies over men's hearts, but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away and there is liberty. We are no longer under the yoke of the Law.
Paul is saying that he is not preaching for himself, as some do for proudful reasons (such as the pastors Chopper speaks of ) but for the glory to God and the salvation of mankind.
2 Corinthians 4:4-7
And this preaching is causing much strife.
2 corinthians 4:8-11
So, eventually we will all stand before the Judgement Seat of Christ where our works will be judged. The good and the bad. The bad will be those who preached for their own purposes. Their fine clothes representing the interior pride, the importance of exterior looks. The lack of the heart condiition. The pride that allows them to intimidate the meek and the ones desiring to follow Jesus in the way that He commanded.
The good being those who preach Christ and Him curcified. The ones with the true heart and honest heart.
Paul is saying that this honesty can be used against those who would honor only the exterior and not the heart.
That the glory is to God and not to man.
And all Paul does is for the salvation of mankind. This is what he's working for. Not for an honorable position in man's eyes. But to bring men to Christ.
It's not about pride, but the humility to preach salvation to a lost world.
W
Paul apparently felt that some were causing disagreement in the church and he wanted to correct false teachings and false teachers. He says that he has the authority to preach what is correct.
2 Corinthians 1:21-24
2 Corinthians 3:5-7
Apparently some were teaching Law instead of Grace and he wanted to correct this.
2 Corinthians 3:9-18
When Moses was read a veil still lies over men's hearts, but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away and there is liberty. We are no longer under the yoke of the Law.
Paul is saying that he is not preaching for himself, as some do for proudful reasons (such as the pastors Chopper speaks of ) but for the glory to God and the salvation of mankind.
2 Corinthians 4:4-7
And this preaching is causing much strife.
2 corinthians 4:8-11
So, eventually we will all stand before the Judgement Seat of Christ where our works will be judged. The good and the bad. The bad will be those who preached for their own purposes. Their fine clothes representing the interior pride, the importance of exterior looks. The lack of the heart condiition. The pride that allows them to intimidate the meek and the ones desiring to follow Jesus in the way that He commanded.
The good being those who preach Christ and Him curcified. The ones with the true heart and honest heart.
Paul is saying that this honesty can be used against those who would honor only the exterior and not the heart.
That the glory is to God and not to man.
And all Paul does is for the salvation of mankind. This is what he's working for. Not for an honorable position in man's eyes. But to bring men to Christ.
It's not about pride, but the humility to preach salvation to a lost world.
W