In the marvellous sovereignty of God, even the criticism of the apostle Paul by those in Corinth who were opposed to him, there is an upholding of the good man’s name. It may be said of the sneering comments passed on Paul’s person, that though they meant it for evil God meant it for good. His critics considered Paul, when present amongst them, as base and weak and his speech contemptible, verses 1, 10. In so seeking to insult him, they in fact compliment him. He certainly did not seek to Lord it over them but, in keeping with the will of God as expressed by Peter in 1 Peter 5:1-4, adopted a lowly deposition.
It is clear that despite the reforms that were enacted in Corinth in the wake of Paul’s first epistle, there was still an element of opposition to the rule of God. Paul was despised by some and they laboured to influence others to despise him also.
From chapter 10 to the end of the epistle, Paul is addressing those who yet resisted his authority and admonitions. He entreats his opponents not to make it necessary for him to exercise the power and authority he had as an apostle.
Please learn from this passage:
I. WEAPONS AND POWER HAVE BEEN GIVEN FOR THE ENFORCING OF GOD’S RULE UPON HIS FLOCK
Verse 4-5.
1. Paul could claim to have power and authority given him. “. . . our authority, which the Lord hath given us,” verse 8. The word authority—Matt 7:29, 8:9, 9:6, 8. The word means power and authority. God’s power accompanies His Word of command. When the servant is resisted, it is God that is resisted, 2 Sam 10:4-6.
2. The power given was to be used for edification. The word means building up. To demolish was not God’s desire. Man’s weapons can only destroy and demolish. Not so God’s.
3. It could be used to destroy. Pulling down, destruction, verses 4, 8. The word is related to — Luke 1:52, Acts 13:19. Let us fear the Lord and His institutions. The ordinances of God may be despised among men today but let us see the power and authority with which they are endued. Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper, 2 Chronicles 20:20. Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you, 2 Chronicles 24:20. Psalm 1:3. Paul had no desire to use the authority given him in such a fashion, verse 2. He waited patiently to see the measure of obedience that would be forthcoming before he used enforcement. The meekness of Christ wrought a gentleness in Paul, verse 1. God is slow to anger, Neh 9:7, Psalm 103:8.