Rachel Workman:
11 You
have made me act like a fool. You ought to be writing commendations for me, for
I am not at all inferior to these “super apostles,” even though I am nothing at
all. 12 When I was with you, I certainly gave you proof that I
am an apostle. For I patiently did many signs and wonders and miracles among
you. 13 The only thing I failed to do, which I do in the other
churches, was to become a financial burden to you. Please forgive me for this
wrong!
14 Now I
am coming to you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you. I don’t
want what you have—I want you. After all, children don’t provide for their
parents. Rather, parents provide for their children. 15 I will
gladly spend myself and all I have for you, even though it seems that the more
I love you, the less you love me.
Seems
like God is in the same shoes as Paul. The more he loves us the less we love
him.
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John Burnett:
11 I
have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me. Actually I should have
been commended by you, for in no respect was I inferior to the [a]most eminent apostles, even
though I am a nobody. 12 The [b]signs [c]of a true apostle were performed
among you with all perseverance, by [d]signs and wonders and[e]miracles. 13 For in what respect were you
treated as inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I myself did
not become a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
14 Here for
this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to
you; for I do not seek what is yours, but you; for children are
not responsible to save up for their parents, but parents
for their children. 15 I will most gladly spend and be
expended for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less? Being
a financial burden to the Corinthians was something Paul was not willing
to do in order to gain validity for his ministry. Today, TV evangelist
beg for seed money and donations in order to support their extravagant
lifestyles. These false teachers is another sign that the end is near.
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Tomorrow's reading
for 2 Corinthians 12:16-21
16 Some
of you admit I was not a burden to you. But others still think I was sneaky and
took advantage of you by trickery. 17 But how? Did any of the
men I sent to you take advantage of you? 18 When I urged Titus
to visit you and sent our other brother with him, did Titus take advantage of
you? No! For we have the same spirit and walk in each other’s steps, doing
things the same way.
19 Perhaps
you think we’re saying these things just to defend ourselves. No, we tell you
this as Christ’s servants, and with God as our witness. Everything we do, dear
friends, is to strengthen you. 20 For I am afraid that when I
come I won’t like what I find, and you won’t like my response. I am afraid that
I will find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip,
arrogance, and disorderly behavior. 21 Yes, I am afraid that
when I come again, God will humble me in your presence. And I will be grieved
because many of you have not given up your old sins. You have not repented of
your impurity, sexual immorality, and eagerness for lustful pleasure.
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