2 Corinthians 1:12 (ESV Strong's)
For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you.
Tag: A Great Reason to Boast
Paul is very careful when talking about himself and his ministry to never boast in his own strength or about his own skills and/or wisdom. In the above passage he makes an exception when writing to the church at Corinth. Paul had a strained relationship with this church. Note what he will about to say:
2 Corinthians 2:1-2 (ESV Strong's)
For I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you. For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained?
In the first letter to this church, Paul had to correct a problem with a young believer, who was living in open sin. That letter caused them “pain” (and the young man pain). Paul is unapologetic about causing the pain, but he wants to move forward in restoration and establishing peace. Therefore speaks about his conduct toward this church. He conveyed:
1. His “conscience” is clear. Between God and Paul, things are good. Paul does not have something in his mind that is making him feel as though he has done something wrong toward them. This should be the first thing on everyone’s mind. God uses our conscience to guide us. Spirit filled believers are allowing the Spirit of God to speak to their conscience and allow that speaking to guide them.
2. He behaved in “simplicity” (some manuscripts translate this word, “holiness) and Godly “sincerity.” Paul is defending himself against the false teachers in Corinth (there were many) and he wants the readers to know that he was directed by God and his standard for living was God’s standard. A good conscious only works if it is filled with a standard of living. People who have no problem doing evil are not pricked in their conscious. That is because their consciousness does not consider the standard of God’s holiness. Paul’s does. That is his measure. He is saying that he has lived in front of them and toward them based upon God’s standards, not the world’s, not theirs and not a standard in his own mind.
3. He has acted toward them with God’s Wisdom. Remember, Paul was taught Rabbinical teaching. He would know that the “wisdom of God” was the “fear of the Lord.” He saying to them that he taught them and approach them based upon first, his fear of the Lord. Paul did not fear man (Proverbs 29:25). This wisdom came to him as a “grace” of God. Paul understood that his approach to them was based upon God’s approach to him ... in grace.
4. He acted “supremely” toward them. The word “supremely” does not actually appear in the Greek text. His thought is that he has done all of this “toward” them ... in full view of them. What Paul is saying to them should not be a secret to the. Not only is his conscious clear for a “good testimony,” but they should recognize these things about them.
Paul’s boasting is wrapped up in his living for God and serving God. We should always avoid boasting, as Paul did on most occasions. But, IF and WHEN we boast it ought to be this type of boasting ... what God is doing in and through us via His grace.
No comments:
Post a Comment