II Corinthians 12:14-21
More frustration and sarcasm from Paul. Verse 16 is particularly telling: But granting that I myself did not burden you, I was crafty, you say, and got the better of you by deceit. He didn’t take money for his labors, so his preaching was diminished (in their eyes), and what he did say must have been compelling enough for them to buy into it, but again (in their eyes) must have been misguided. I truly feel sorry for Paul in all this! He spent 18 months there the first time, working alongside them and even made some good friends. Now false preachers, those “most eminent apostles” have come along and done their best to destroy him and his teachings. He must be well beyond frustration and disappointment, well into anger and hurt. So sad…!
Ironically, what we have from all this is the blessing that is II Corinthians. We have encouragement from Paul to “test the spirits”, to weigh the words and opinions of others to see if they stand up to Scripture. Granted, the issues in Corinth back then are not the same that we deal with today, but testing the spirits is what has led to the formation of St. Andrew’s, ADOTS, and the Anglican Church in North America, testing those “spirits” coming out of St. John’s, the Diocese of Lexington, and the Episcopal Church. Fundamentally, we are blessed today having followed Paul’s difficulties and having his reflections (and frustrations) as to how he dealt with them. Thank you, St. Paul!
Slava Bohu!