There is an old saying “appearances can be deceiving.” Or: “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” In the case of the Corinthians, those sayings apply very well. They fell into a trap that many of us fall prey to, using human senses to judge spiritual realities. In this case we are once again dealing with what Paul will call “super apostles” who infiltrated Corinth, spread lies about the Apostle Paul, and injected their own poisonous doctrine into the fellowship. This was not only unwise, but lethal, and Paul cannot let it continue. There are some warnings in the next four chapters that should be a major wake-up call to this church. Paul is no longer being super gentle. Now he’s being straight and uses stinging sarcasm to make his point.
1
The word “personal appeal” is the same language a ruler who had the authority to command would use when he asked nicely. He appeals by the gentleness and graciousness of Jesus. Though Jesus had all authority and could simply say the word and it would happen, he came to serve (Phil 2:5-11 ). In Matthew 11:29 Jesus said “I am gentle and humble at heart.” It’s with this kind of gentle spirit that Paul appeals to them. Paul has determined not to be harsh and overbearing (though he had the authority to do so).
This is good advice to us as well. Though you may have authority or maturity over someone else, you can choose to be gentle and kind—to use humor, diplomacy, gentle correction, persuasion, and love to set things straight. Using authority or harshness should always be a last resort.
This idea of acting one way in person and another via letters was a sore spot that Paul addresses as we move through the chapter. I think Paul is wise in taking this approach. He needs to address some serious issues but perhaps realizes that the letters provide a much more clear communication on the topic, not cluttered by non-verbal communication of an in person visit.
2
This is the last chance for the Corinthians to get their act together before Paul arrives in person. Some in the church had accused Paul of acting in a way that modeled this age. The opposite was actually true—the “super apostles” were the ones using this age’s tactics. Back in chapter 1 Paul already defended himself against these accusations: that he was duplicitous in his travel plans, saying he was coming then changing his mind. Not coming actually spared them just such a difficult in person visit!
3 – 5
This is a well-known verse and as we walk through it I want to set a context that you may not have thought of. Verse 5 holds the key. What are the two things described here: knowing God and obeying Christ. All of these verses should be taken in the context of the gospel. We like the idea of the power we have as Christians, and some like to wield this power against the enemy as if we are going to kill demons or something. But remember, the strongholds are that the enemy has taken people captive in their minds, to darken them against the gospel message. We see this back in chapter 4:3-4.
So essentially, Paul is saying that the Corinthians had grown used to people utilizing the tactics of this age to do God’s work of sharing the gospel and rescuing people from domination by Satan. Those “weapons” might include physical appearance, rhetorical prowess, political influence—basically a strong person by human standards.
In Ephesians Paul also used the warfare analogy to speak of our battle. There he identified our weapons as faith, truth, righteousness, the gospel message, and God’s Word—all made possible through the agency of the Holy Spirit through prayer. It is with these weapons that anything raised up against the gospel is torn down.
There is something else here as well. While you have authority over thoughts in other’s minds using the weapons of the Holy Spirit—you can use those weapons against fleshly thoughts in your own mind as well! When the enemy, the world around you, or your old-person tries to pull your mind away from obeying Christ—take out the artillery of the gospel and pummel those thoughts into submission!
6
Though many of the Corinthians had repented of their disobedience (Chapter 7) some remained in rebellion. These Paul would confront when he came.
7
The false teachers who had come to Corinth claimed to belong to Christ and perhaps even had some knowledge of Jesus when He walked the earth (11:21-22). Another translation says: “Do you look at things according to the outward appearance?” NKJV. Just because they say they belong to Christ doesn’t mean they have been commissioned for the ministry Paul was given. They might claim to be apostles but that doesn’t make it so.
There’s a saying “if you need to lie, lie loudly.” That’s what these men were doing. They also leveled accusations at Paul to distract from the real problem: they were actually agents of Satan, not emissaries from God (more on that later).
8 – 11
Paul is going to spend the next couple of chapters giving the Corinthians credentials that cannot be disputed. But notice that it is not authority to lord it over people, but authority to build up believers. In Luke 22:25-27 Jesus explained that worldly types of authority have no place in the kingdom of God. “Servant-Leadership” is the character of our God. As leaders, no matter how big or small our flock, we should exercise our authority only to serve the other in growing in Christ.
The Corinthians criticized Paul because he was not impressive in looks or speaking abilities. That kind of “cover” of a book does not do a good job of revealing the contents, just as Jesus appeared so gentle, yet He had the authority of the universe at His beck and call.
Paul then warns them that though his speech and appearance might be diminutive, his “actions” would not be, unless things are set right before he comes.
12
We humans often fall into this fallacy. We find our worth based on the relative place we have in the pecking order. If I am more impressive than you then I must be better than you. If I don’t do X and do Y then I am in a higher class. So much of human worth is based on this: how much money you make, your position at your job, the number of letters after your name, the size of your congregation, the number of toys in your driveway or clothes in your closet—even the number of converts to Christ you have made.
That was exactly what the Corinthians were doing when it came to the false teachers. A slick presentation on the outside meant goodness on the inside. Since Paul was unimpressive on the outside then he was less than on the inside. Paul basically says “you don’t understand how things really work in God’s kingdom.”
13
Paul said in 1 Corinthians 4:2 : “In this regard, it is expected of managers that each one be found faithful.”
As believers, our record is based on whether we were faithful to the tasks God called us to. So that’s what Paul relies on for his defense to the Corinthians.
14
Paul is telling the Corinthians that it was really God that assigned him to come to Macedonia and Achaia. He was the first to come there—they owed their hearing of the gospel to him. He was their spiritual father. As such he had some authority over this congregation.
15 – 16
Paul was not about to go into areas that had already been evangelized and take over (as they false apostles attempted to do) but wished that the Corinthians would mature in their faith so he could move on to reach more for the gospel.
17 – 18
The quotation comes from Jeremiah 9:24 . Stop the comparison game, Paul says, because the only thing that matters is what the Lord has called us to and what is done through Him. Whether you are Billy Graham or just an anonymous garden-variety Christian, you are nothing special on your own, so when we start the compare game, it is really almost laughable. Yet it is human nature—and something we need to fight against. Instead realize that “I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13 ).
Conclusions
As a leader, be a diplomat and have a light touch of authority in most cases
Notice how far Paul goes in verses 1 and 2 to keep from having to lay down the law. Look how far Jesus went to engage people (woman at the well, rich young ruler, Nicodemus, Pilate). In your sphere of influence and authority, make it your aim to appeal and reason more than command and control.
Don’t use this age’s methods as your primary weapon to do God’s work
Super slick marketing techniques, impressiveness, and generally using outward appearance as a way to win souls is not as effective as prayer, the example of Jesus in your life, and God’s Word. Just remember how unimpressive the God of the universe came to us!
Don’t compare yourself with another Christian, but with God
When we start looking around we automatically have to either judge one believer or idolize another—and neither one is healthy. If you want a comparison, look to Jesus. The reason we don’t is that we have a chance to do better than our neighbor (at least in appearances) but God, now that’s another matter entirely. We will utterly fail when we compare ourselves to Him. Yes, exactly. That’s the point. Now, here is where looking at another works: “Imitate me as I imitate Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1 ).
Find your unique place in ministry and be faithful there
Ephesians 2:10 For we are His creation—created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.
How do we find that place?
- Look for what place God has put you in.
- Look for circumstances He has brought you through.
- Look for things or people He has drawn you to.
- Look for activities you like or are good at
