Verse By Verse Devotional On 2 Corinthians By Pastor Jack #64

Paul Under Attack

3:1 "Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some, letters of commendation to you or from you?"

Paul had received his calling as an apostle directly from Jesus Christ, and in a very different way than the other apostles. He was vulnerable to the criticism of having not been one of the original Twelve. The believers at Corinth had come under the influence of some false apostles who questioned Paul’s credentials as an apostle. Throughout this letter Paul is defending himself to the Corinthians against their charges.

Apparently one of the charges was that his apostleship was based only on his own claims: “He is self-commended,” the false apostles charged.

A related charge was that Paul did not carry with him letters of commendation from respected church leaders (as these false apostles apparently did). (They could not have had a letter from a true apostle. It is evident from the last phrase “from you” that Paul was expecting the same charge to be raised in other churches – instigated by these same false apostles. If these peddlers of the word of God had letters of commendation from the apostles themselves, then what good would it do for Paul to have a letter of commendation from the Corinthians?)

(Among ancient Gentiles and Jews, it was a common practice for men to carry letters of commendation with them when they traveled to foreign cities. These letters would be written by someone well-known to the recipients, commending the carrier as a person of good and trustworthy character. This practice is mentioned in the NT not only here but in 8:22; 1Cor.16:10-11; Rom.16:1; Col.4:10; Acts 15:25-26; and 2John 12.)

Apart from Jesus Himself, Paul was probably the most influential man in history. It is likely that he was the greatest Christian who ever lived. He was worthy of more honor and respect than any king who ever sat upon an earthly throne. And yet he was constantly barraged with criticism (to say nothing about fists and whips and rods and stones - see 11:23-25).

So why do we feel so sorry for ourselves when we get a little criticism? Have we forgotten that Jesus said we should expect opposition? Do we think we are better than our Master and His servant Paul, that we should be spared what they endured? We deserve criticism much more than they did (Jesus, of course, didn’t deserve any at all). Why do we squeal when indeed we get much less?

O Father, forgive me for all my self-pity when I am criticized. I lay my hand on my mouth. What stupid thoughts I have thought. What foolish words have come forth from my mouth. Touch my mouth and take my iniquity away. Help me to meet insults with love and to rejoice when men say all kinds of evil against me. Give me the humility to hear Your voice even when it speaks through a critic.