Bible in One Year Day 343 (Acts 22, 2 Corinthians 9 -11, Proverbs 29:5-7)

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Day 343: God Uses Paul's Past 

Agape Bible Study Acts 22 

Chapter 22: Paul Defends Himself to the Jews

This is Paul's fourth long speech. The other three speeches were:

1. Paul's speech to the Jews of Antioch in Pisidia (Acts 13:16-41)
2. Paul's speech to the Greeks in Athens (Acts 17:22-31)
3. Paul's farewell address at Miletus to the priests of Ephesus (Acts 20:17-35)

Paul's fourth long speech to the Jewish crowd in Jerusalem is given in four parts:

1. His pedigree as a religiously observant Jew 
   His persecution of "the Way" (Christians)
2. His conversion experience
3. His divinely ordered mission to the Gentiles

Acts 22:1-21 ~ Paul's Speech to the Jews of Jerusalem

Question: What strategy does Paul use to try to identify with the Jewish crowd as he speaks to them in Aramaic, the common language of Judea, and not in Greek?

Answer: Addressing the Jews in their language to demonstrate that he is one of them, Paul begins by trying to identify with the crowd. He tells them of his Jewish upbringing and his education as a scholar of the Law who studied under one of the most famous rabbis of the time. He tries to identify with their "zealousness" for the Law by talking about his service to the Sanhedrin in persecuting Christians. He was a zealous Jewish legalist who demanded strict adherence to the Law according to the norms of the Torah in the strict Pharisaic tradition.

Next, he shares his conversion experience on the road to Damascus. One point of his conversion experience that the "zealous" Jews probably did not miss was that Paul was not only converted to Christ, but he was converted from Jewish legalism. From the time of his conversion experience, he ceases to persecute Jewish followers of "the Way" and no longer continues to observe the Jewish ritual laws. You will recall that Paul only had Timothy circumcised to help give him credibility as a Jewish Christian witnessing Christ to the Jews on their missionary journeys and not because he felt circumcision was necessary to Timothy's salvation (Acts 16:3).

 Acts 22:22-29 ~ Paul is Arrested and Imprisoned

Question: What is it that Paul says in his speech that causes such a strong response from the Jews demanding that he no longer deserves to live?

Answer: It appears to be their rage at Paul when he says Christ commissioned him to take the Gospel of salvation to the Gentiles. 

Acts 22:30 ~ The Roman Tribune Sends Paul to the Sanhedrin

What follows in chapter 23 is Paul's appearance before the Jewish high court of the Sanhedrin. It is the same court that accused Jesus of blasphemy and took Jesus to Pilate to be condemned to death (Mt 26:57-68; Mk 14:53-65; Lk 22:66-71); and it is the same court that condemned St. Stephen and illegally put him to death in Acts chapter 7. The Tribune will have Paul appear before the Jewish court in an attempt to placate the Jews, but he will have his soldiers stand by to protect Paul since the Jews do not have jurisdiction over a Roman citizen.

The events that have unfolded in Paul's attack by the Jews and in his arrest by the Romans have raised some troubling questions. Why haven't members of the Jerusalem church come forward to defend Paul? Is the community divided concerning Paul and his mission to the Gentiles and are there those who are glad to see him discredited? And why is there no mention of gratitude for the generous monetary gift Paul brought to them from the Gentiles of the Christian communities of Asia and Greece (Acts 24:17; Rom 15:25-26; 1 Cor 16:1-4)? Often Christians long for the unity and purity of faith in the first decades of the Church and despair of the troubling issues in the Church today. However, purity of faith has always been a struggle and there have always been scandals and divisions to overcome. The Church is the sinless Bride of Christ, but the irony is that she is a sinless Bride who is full of sinners. The struggle is part of the Church's destiny, and we must cling to Jesus' promise that the Church will not be overpowered by the forces of evil from without or from within.

Agape Bible Study 2 Corinthians 9 - 11 

2 Corinthians 9:1-5 ~ The Corinthian's Collection

It appears Paul has used the tactic of a little healthy competition between the Corinthian, Acadian (Greece), and Macedonian Christians, boasting to both about the generosity of the other. The contribution of the Corinthian Christians should be ready to be collected when Titus and the others arrive since Paul requested they begin the collection in his earlier letter (1 Cor 16:1-3). 

2 Corinthians 9:6-9 ~ Paul's Exhortation to be Generous Givers

Question: Paul urges the Corinthians to follow God's example in giving, using what example from the practice of sowing seeds in verse 6?

Answer: The more seed one sows, the greater the yield in the harvest. In the same way, the more generously one gives, the more blessings he will receive from his giving.

2 Corinthians 9:10-15 ~ The Circle of Blessings

Paul urges them to follow God's pattern of generosity. The Lord God is capable of great generosity (as attested to in Scripture); therefore, they should not fear that in their generosity they may end up falling short. God will see to their needs both physically and also spiritually by increasing their righteousness. Using the Greek words charis (grace) and eucharistia (thanksgiving), he describes the movement of God's grace that overflows from God to them and which they hand on to others. God's blessings come back to them because they will benefit from the prayers of the grateful "holy ones" who benefit from their generosity.

In 8:1-9:15, in his call to raise money for the Jerusalem church, Paul used the word charis (grace) eight times in five different but interrelated ways that highlight St. Paul's theology of grace that begins with God and returns to Him in thanksgiving and praise:

1. Foremost in St Paul's theology of grace, he refers to the charis of God's self-giving love manifested in the incarnation, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (8:9).
2. Paul refers to God's charis infused in human hearts by the Holy Spirit to guide and empower righteous human actions (8:1; 9:14).
3. Paul uses the word charis to signify the favor granted to those who participate in good works that extends God's saving love to others (8:4, 6-7, 19).
4. Paul calls the material resources God provides to those who cooperate in His plan to provide for those in need a charis (9:8).
5. Paul uses the word charis for the thanksgiving given to God for the blessings received through the works of those inspired by God (8:16).

Part II: Paul's Defense of His Ministry

In the first nine chapters, Paul's tone has been conciliatory as he praised the Corinthian church's positive response to his earlier "severe" letter (2:1-11). His tone and language in chapter 7 are especially positive as he "boasts" about them and writes that he has "great confidence" and "great pride" in them and is "filled with encouragement" (7:4). He rejoices in the news Titus brought of their longing and zeal for him (7:6-7). He even writes that he has "boasted" about them because Titus reported they are obedient to his earlier instructions (7:14-16, compare with 2:9). However, in Chapters 10-13, Paul warns them that he may have to discipline them "for every disobedience" when he comes (10:1-6). He even questions their affection for him, asking, "If I love you more, am I to be loved less?" (see 12:15 and compare with 11:11). He also chastises the Corinthian Christians for their alleged willingness to consider a "different Gospel" (11:4). He even writes that he fears the state in which he will find the community when he visits again (12:20; 13:5). Why is his confidence in their faith, which he expressed earlier, replaced with doubt by the end of the letter (13:5, compared with 1:24)? What explains the change in the tone of the letter? 

Some interpreters suggest that the two sections were originally two separate letters. Others suggest that the shift in tone reflects a change in the audience within the Corinthian community receiving Paul's letter. Paul alters his tone and language to communicate with two groups within the community while still addressing the whole community. In the first part of the letter, he addressed those in the community who responded favorable to the corrections he ordered in his previous letter, but the last chapters target those who challenged his apostolic authority and refused to repent. 

It may be that Paul addressed both groups in the one letter. It is possible that he wanted all the Corinthian Christians to benefit from the change from praise to criticism, allowing them to grasp the importance of obedience to his directives as necessary to maintain their relationship with him and their good standing in the Universal Church. Those who remained disobedient toward Paul might be encouraged by his praise of the faithfulness of their fellow Corinthian believers in chapters 1-9 of his letter. At the same time, he warns the obedient faithful who followed his instruction of the consequences of any future failure to obey. Perhaps this was Paul's strategy in the hope of restoring all the Corinthian Christians in their relationship to him before his next visit (13:9-10).

Chapter 10: The Authority to Build Up and Not to Tear Down

Titus's report has encouraged Paul that the misunderstanding between himself and the Corinthians (1:12-7:16) has been resolved. He also announced the impending visit of his representatives to collect the community's contribution for the church in Jerusalem (8:10-9:15). Now he turns the focus of this part of his letter to the troublesome and self-commending missionaries to whom he has already alluded several times (2:17; 3:1; 4:2; 5:12). He will be making the point in the next three chapters that rejection him and his ministerial team borders on rejecting the Gospel Jesus gave him the authority to preach.

Chapter 10 can be divided into three parts in which Paul contrasts himself with the trouble-making missionaries:

1. Paul compares himself to a soldier in God's army whose authority is from Jesus Christ and whose mission is to bring about Christ-like obedience within the Corinthian community (verses 1-6).
2. Paul's God-given authority is for building up the community (verses 7-11).
3. Paul defines what constitutes proper missionary "boasting" (verses 12-18).

2 Corinthians 10:1-6 ~ We do not Battle According to the Flesh

Paul uses a series of contrasts in verses 1-6:

1. presence versus absence
2. gentleness, clemency, and humility versus boldness, confidence, and bravery
3. obedience versus disobedience

Using the image of Jesus' gentleness and clemency, Paul presents himself as a humble warrior in God's army, engaged in a battle to bring about obedience within the Corinthian church. Paul and his ministers do not battle "according to the flesh" but according to the Spirit of God. Christ is the source of their authority.

Paul brings up the subject of Jesus' character in 10:1a for three reasons:

1. Paul seeks to emulate Jesus' gentleness and clemency in his role as the "father" of the Corinthian community. 
2. Jesus' gentle behavior toward others is in contrast to the values and behavior of those attempting to disrupt the community and to challenge Paul's leadership.
3. He wants the Corinthians to emulate Christ's gentleness and clemency in peaceful relationships with each other and with Paul and his team, even when Paul must correct their behavior.

Paul acknowledges that he is "in the flesh" in that he shares in the human condition. However, he does not "battle according to the flesh," meaning in the struggles he faces to spread the Gospel of salvation, he has the power of the Almighty behind him, and therefore, his "weapons" are enormously powerful! It may seem contradictory that Paul goes from emulating the gentleness of Christ to the imagery of battles and weapons. However, with this contrast, Paul captures the paradox of how God's power is made known in the gentle "Lamb of God" and His death on the Cross. However, in Jesus ultimate act of self-giving love, He achieved a victory in the battle over the powers of sin and death (Rom 5:12-21; 1 Cor 1:18-25). 

2 Corinthians 10:7-11 ~ Authority from the Lord for Building Up the Church

Question: In urging the Christians of Corinth to Look at what confronts you, what does he want them to consider? 

Answer: He wants them to look and see that Paul and his team belong to Christ and carry His power and authority. Those in the community who believe they belong to Christ should realize that they are in unity with Paul and his team. Their very existence attests to the authority given to Paul and his team by Jesus Christ.

I shall not be put to shame refers to Paul's confidence that, at his judgment, he will be found innocent of any wrongdoing in association with his ministry on behalf of the Corinthians. His assertions will not be refuted but will be revealed as true at the judgment throne of Christ (2 Cor 5:10).

2 Corinthians 10:12-18 ~ Only Boasting in the Lord

In verses 12-18, Paul qualifies his reason for boasting. He distinguishes his boasting from that of others. The "others" are the self-recommending, immoderately boastful, and those who encroach on the successes of others by claiming credit to what they did not earn.

Question: What is the reason Paul and his team will not boast of their successes in their ministry beyond measure?
Answer: He and his team are committed to keeping to the limits or standard that God has assigned them. Paul's "boasting" is in giving witness to the success God has given him and his team in spreading the Gospel of salvation by founding faith communities.

2 Corinthians 11:1-6 ~ Jealous with the Jealousy of God

Paul begins by asking the Corinthian Christians to have patience with him while he makes an argument in defense of his ministry writing, 2 For I am jealous of you with the jealousy of God, since I betrothed you to one husband to present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

Paul is "jealous" in the same way God is "jealous" in protecting the unique covenant relationship He has with His covenant people. It is the same unique relationship Jesus has in His "Bridegroom" relationship with His chaste Bride, the Church. It was Paul who led the Corinthians to Christ, their eternal Bridegroom/Husband, and he feels a responsibility for maintaining their unblemished character as the Bride of Christ. 

Question: What fear does Paul express in verses 3-4, and what group represents the "deceiving serpent"? In what way does Paul refer sarcastically to this group in verse 5?
Answer: Paul is fearful that the self-recommending ministers have corrupted the Corinthian Christians' understanding of the doctrine of the Gospel. Paul writes these men are so conceited as to consider themselves as "superapostles" whose authority is greater than Paul's authority. 

Question: Satan used forbidden food to draw man away from God, promising the food would give them a supernatural gift. However, it was a lie, and the forbidden food only inflicted the loss of immortality and the punishment of eternal death. What did God do to restore man's immortal life physically and spiritually? See Jn 6:54-58; 2 Pt 1:4-11

Answer: God used food, transformed supernaturally into the gift of the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of the Resurrected Jesus Christ, to restore life that is eternal and to share in the divine life of the Most Holy Trinity. 

2 Corinthians 11:7-11 ~ Preaching Without Charge

Paul did not ask for contributions from the Corinthians to support his ministry among them.
Question: How were Paul's material needs met during his stay in Corinth?
Answer: The members of his missionary team who came from Macedonia brought contributions from their home churches to support Paul's missionary efforts in Greece.

In verse 11, Paul defends himself by declaring that everything he has done has been out of love for the Corinthians. He did not "sell" the Gospel of salvation to them. Other Christians made the sacrifice for Paul to bring them the Gospel at no charge. In verse 11, Paul defends his genuine love for the Corinthian Christians, demonstrated by his actions.

2 Corinthians 11:12-15 ~ False Apostles

Question: What three accusations does Paul make against the men who he writes have tried to mislead the Corinthians in verse 13?
Answer:

1. They are false apostles.
2. They are deceitful workers.
3. They are those who falsely present themselves as true apostles of Christ.

2 Corinthians 11:16-29 ~ Paul's Trials and Labors

The "you," plural, in this passage refers to the misled Corinthian Christians who have believed the false apostles and have turned against Paul. Paul writes to those who have listened to the boasts of the false apostles to bear with him as he boasts a little "according to the flesh," meaning in human weakness. He is not contradicting his earlier statement that one should "only boast in the Lord." In that statement, he was referring to spiritual deeds; however, now he is referring to earthly accomplishments or credentials. 

Paul asks a series of three rhetorical questions followed by his answers in comparing himself with the false teachers in verses 22-23:

1. Are they Hebrews? So am I. 
2. Are they Israelites? So am I. 
3. Are they ministers of Christ? (I am talking like an insane person.) I am still more, with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, far worse beatings, and numerous brushes with death.  

2 Corinthians 11:30-33 ~ Paul's Boast

Paul now writes that he will no longer boast of his sufferings but his weakness. He swears an oath concerning his truthfulness in verse 31: The God and Father of the Lord Jesus knows, he who is blessed forever, that I do not lie. Then he gives an example of how in his weakness he experienced the strength of God by writing about his escape from Damascus after his conversion.