To correct the false teachings swirling around the church of Corinth, Paul had earlier sent the “severe letter” to shake them out of the influence of the False Apostles. Many in the church responded, and repented, but not all. For much of 2 Corinthians, he is writing with encouragement to those who responded, but in this chapter he shifts to responding to those who remain out of fellowship with him.
It is not a complete switch, though. In chapter 9, Paul sets up the theme of this chapter in the context of giving. He was more concerned with affections rather than specific amounts. That theme continues here. Affections matter, because affections ultimately guide our actions.
Paul’s teaching style of humility and gentleness had been attacked by the false apostles, who saw bold, articulate rhetoric as the marker of true leadership.
Paul calls for unity in affection for Christ, in opposition to the False Apostles who were seeking to divide the church. This letter would have been read to the entire church, including the False Apostles and their followers. This means he is speaking to multiple groups at the same time.
He calls on the false leaders to repent, but in the knowledge that some will not, he gives the congregation the tools they need to determine the affections of those leaders. That is the reverse of the False Apostles, who pointed to how Paul did things, not why. They put their style and swagger against Paul’s humility and gentleness.
Paul is not defending himself here, but rather defending the presentation of the gospel in a manner that mirrors Christ, in “the meekness and gentleness” that He modeled. He is defending the notion that it is the affection for Christ that matters, rather than articulate speech or showmanship.
The alternative to affection for Christ is affection for ourselves.
Good leaders come alongside and point to the splendor Christ, rather than to themselves. And we are all leaders, in one form or another. Someone is watching all of us as an example in some way.
If you have never given your affections to Christ, know that the sacrifice of His death and power of the Holy Spirit offer you the opportunity to shift your affections from the empty things of this world and the unsatisfying affection for yourself.
If you do know Christ, today offers the opportunity for repentance and reorientation towards Him and away from yourself.
– Sermon Notes, Matthew Gisle, Seed Church, Lynnwood, WA, May 20, 2018
2 Corinthians 10:1-11
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