Theological Commentary: Click Here
In chapter
12 we get more of the same from chapter 11.
Paul speaks about the thorn that was given to him. What’s vital in this chapter is that we see
why the thorn was given to him. Paul has
to deal with it because God wants Paul to know that His grace is sufficient for
him. The thorn in Paul’s side is there
to keep him humble and keep him focused on God.
If Paul was a so-called super apostle, then what need would Paul have of
God? In his weakness, though, Paul has
every opportunity to see God at work.
In chapter
13 we return to the topic of Paul’s visit to the Corinthians. In these closing words, Paul speaks rather
sternly. Look for the key. What is it that has Paul’s concern?
Paul is
concerned that there are people living in unrepentant sin. That’s really important. Paul doesn’t fear that there are sinners in
the church. Of course there are! Paul fears that there are people in the
church who are not repenting.
What is the
big deal about unrepentant sin? People
who repent will listen. When confronted,
they will consider that they are in the wrong rather than get defensive about
their being right! People who repent are
humble. They know they can be
wrong. People who repent are teachable. They know there is always more to learn.
Paul isn’t
bothered by the fact that he might go to Corinth and find problems. Any gathering of human beings will have
problems. Paul is concerned that that he
may go to Corinth and find people who aren’t interested in repenting of their
sin. That’s a big difference.
There is a
simple illustration to show Paul’s point.
Remember David? David was a
sinner and his sins are spoken of publicly in the Old Testament. However, he is remembered as a man after God’s
own heart in spite of his sin. Why? God knew David’s heart. God knew that David was open to
repenting. It isn’t the amount of sin
that is the issue. What matters is the
condition of our heart and our openness to repentance.
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