1 Corinthians 12 (Boast In Christ, Not The Flesh)

Text: 2 Corinthians 12

Theme: Glory in Christ, not the flesh

4. By boasting about Christ (10 - 13)
E. Weakness shows Christ's power (12:1-10)
F. Meekness shows Christ's love (12:11 - 13:14)

Weakness shows Christ's power (1-10). Though in Christ he
had received visions, revelations of the Lord, and been caught
up to the third heavens, Paul refused--except in a sarcastic,
satirical way to show the folly of it (cf. 6]--to boast about
anything but his weaknesses (12:1-5). This was so no one
would credit him with more than they saw or heard from him
(6). To keep Paul from exalting himself over the great
revelations, God gave a "messenger of Satan to buffet" him
(7-8). Whatever this was, it resulted in "weakness". Paul
was content with this, as well as "insults", "distresses",
"persecutions", and "difficulties", because they magnified the
power of Christ in his ministry (9-10).

Meekness shows Christ's love (12:11 - 13:14). Since he
performed "signs", "wonders", and "miracles" among them, the
Corinthians should have commended Paul against the charge he
was an "inferior" apostle. Not because he was lower, but to
avoid becoming a burden to the Corinthians, Paul yielded his
right to take their money (11-13). That neither he nor anyone
he sent took advantage of them, showed the meekness of
Christ's love (14-18; cf. Philippians 2:6ff.). This
explanation of Paul's ministry was intended to build up the
Corinthians, rather than "defend" himself (19), and may
prevent mutual disappointment on his return visit (20-21).
Meekness magnifies Christ's love.

--
Have you heard Christ died for our sins, and God raised Him
from the dead? Did you know God saves you from hell and
gives you eternal life through faith in this finished work alone,
not your merits (Jn. 3:16; 1 Cor. 15:1-3; Eph. 2:8-10; 2 Thess.
1:8-9)? This is so man cannot boast, and God alone gets the
glory (Eph. 2:8-9).
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