Paul’s Concern for the Corinthians (Day 48)

Read 2 Corinthians 12:11-21
 
   Paul explained that the only thing he did in the other churches that he didn’t do in Corinth was to become a burden; to ask believers to feed and house him. When he said forgive me for this wrong, he was clearly being sarcastic. He actually did more for the Corinthians than for any other church, but still they misunderstood him. 
   Paul had founded the church in Corinth on his first visit there (Acts 18). He subsequently made a second visit. He was planning what would be his third visit. Paul explained that, as before, he didn’t want to be paid, fed, or housed; he only wanted the believers to be nourished with the spiritual food he would feed them. 
 
   Paul was not merely revealing his feelings; he was defending his authority as an apostle of Jesus Christ. Paul was hurt that the church in Corinth doubted and questioned him, so he defended himself for the cause of the Gospel, not to satisfy his ego. When you are put on trial, do you think only about saving your reputation or are you more concerned about what people will think about Christ? 
Although Paul asked nothing of the Corinthian believers, some doubters were still saying that Paul must have been sneaky and made money from them somehow. But Paul again explained that everything he did for the believers was for their edification, not to enrich himself. 
 
   After reading this catalog of sins, it is hard to believe that these are the people that Paul said possessed great gifts and excelled as leaders. Paul feared that the practices of wicked Corinth had invaded the congregation. He wrote sternly, hoping that they would straighten out their lives before he arrived. We must live differently from unbelievers, not letting secular society dictate how we are to treat others. Don’t let culture influence your behavior.