This is a scene of Lake Washington in my hometown of Kirkland, WA.

Boasting 

2 Corinthians 11 

We are entering into the closing 3 chapters of 2 Corinthians. It is the apex of Paul’s defense against the false teachers. It dawned on me yesterday that if not for Paul having to defend himself in this manner because of the vicious attacks, we wouldn’t know about the many experiences he will be referencing in this letter. Especially, the amazing experiences we will see in chapters 11,12. Paul usually doesn’t write much about himself.  

I would say most of what we know about Paul was written by Luke, his faithful and true companion, who wrote the historical book of Acts. In 2 Corinthians 10:12 Paul says,  

“For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves…”  

In other words, Paul is about to defend himself, but he’s not going to do it in a manner that is the same way others do it.  Specifically, he is not going to use the same tactics that the false teachers in Corinth used to steal the hearts of his followers.  

Look at me!!! 

Most likely, the false teachers boasted the way we would do it. If I feel I need to validate myself, I would proclaim what my accomplishments are as well as achievements, results, testimonies or commendations? Wouldn’t you? Paul, on the other hand writes,  

“But he who boasts is to boast in the Lord. For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends,” 10:17,18.  

So rather than boast of his accomplishments and of his strengths and achievements, he outlines the sufferings and ridicule he has experienced as a result of being a servant of Christ. He is boasting in the Lord and not of himself. Please read the following carefully. This passage speaks for itself: 

But in whatever respect anyone else is bold-I speak in foolishness-I am just as bold myself. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? —I speak as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches. Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern? If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness.” 2 Corinthians 11:22-30 

WOW! Even in boasting, Paul goes the humble route. He doesn’t boast of his accomplishments but he boasts of his weaknesses. Through our weakness, the power of God is exalted. What a lesson on how to respond to criticism. What a lesson on how to respond to personal attacks. Do not seek the commendation of others but rather that of the Lord. And the Lord doesn’t approve and commend us based on our actions but on our response to the measure of grace he gives us.  

The grace to endure 

Paul’s endurance wasn’t because he was physically and mentally strong, per se. It was because he was showered with the grace of God to endure. His life doesn’t show forth his strength, but it shows forth the grace and power of God. Our only boast of spiritual greatness is that we have received grace upon grace upon grace. Paul, in his boasting, is actually showcasing the grace of God—for who can endure the things Paul endured but for the grace of God. Praise be to God for His Indescribable grace. Amen!