2 Corinthians 12:11-21
Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and all for your upbuilding, beloved. – 2 Corinthians 12:19
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When we read this passage, we can tell Paul was actually quite frustrated. He says he has become a “fool.” He never wanted to defend himself, yet he was pushed to a point where he had to explain his apostleship to the church. That was the last thing he wished to do.
He understood very well that piritual authority does not come from “promoting yourself” or “packaging yourself,” but from the gospel of Jesus Christ and His grace. But in order to win back the Corinthian church, he had to do things that looked “foolish.”
In other words, he wasn’t trying to prove how impressive he was. He wanted the church to return to Jesus and rebuild their foundation on the gospel. The church has never stood firm because of a few “successful” leaders.
Paul reminds them that what he did among the Corinthians were the marks of a true apostle—faithfulness, perseverance, and genuine sacrifice. He didn’t take advantage of the church; instead, he poured himself out like a parent caring for a child.
He was essentially telling them: You’ve forgotten what brought you into God’s family in the first place.
The Corinthians had been drawn to leaders with a strong presence—people who looked powerful, spoke impressively, and carried an aura. Compared to them, Paul looked too ordinary, too weak, not very attractive in the world’s eyes.
This is a very common mindset—and very easy to fall into: placing human ability, eloquence, and success above the gospel of Christ.
But the gospel doesn’t work that way. The gospel enters our lives through the cross—through Jesus’ weakness, His willingness to give Himself, His willingness to suffer so that sinners could be saved.
Today’s church faces similar pressures. We often look at outward results—Was the event well-organized? Is the church growing? Is the leader charismatic? But Paul reminds us that true spirituality isn’t about looking strong; it’s about returning to the cross of Christ.
True maturity means surrendering to God, living out repentance, and loving one another—not chasing face, achievement, or reputation.
Paul was worried that when he visited Corinth again, he would find “quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder” (v20). And beneath all these problems is one root issue: the heart has drifted from the gospel.
When we forget how Jesus saved us, forget how He loves us, we naturally become self-centered, impatient with others, and even turn the church into a place of competition.
Paul is calling us back to the heart of the gospel: Jesus willingly suffered for our sins and brought us into God’s family; now, by His grace, we build one another up—not compare with one another.
Reflection:
In your recent life—at home, at work, or in church—have you been more concerned about what people think rather than how Jesus loves you? Have you forgotten the gospel in a way that makes you compare, compete, or feel easily offended?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I confess that my heart is easily moved by the opinions of others, and I often measure myself and others by outward performance. Please bring my heart back to the cross of Jesus. Help me see myself and my brothers and sisters through Your eyes. Teach me to rely on Your grace in my weakness, and to show Your love in my relationships. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Click to Read
When we read this passage, we can tell Paul was actually quite frustrated. He says he has become a “fool.” He never wanted to defend himself, yet he was pushed to a point where he had to explain his apostleship to the church. That was the last thing he wished to do.
He understood very well that piritual authority does not come from “promoting yourself” or “packaging yourself,” but from the gospel of Jesus Christ and His grace. But in order to win back the Corinthian church, he had to do things that looked “foolish.”
In other words, he wasn’t trying to prove how impressive he was. He wanted the church to return to Jesus and rebuild their foundation on the gospel. The church has never stood firm because of a few “successful” leaders.
Paul reminds them that what he did among the Corinthians were the marks of a true apostle—faithfulness, perseverance, and genuine sacrifice. He didn’t take advantage of the church; instead, he poured himself out like a parent caring for a child.
He was essentially telling them: You’ve forgotten what brought you into God’s family in the first place.
The Corinthians had been drawn to leaders with a strong presence—people who looked powerful, spoke impressively, and carried an aura. Compared to them, Paul looked too ordinary, too weak, not very attractive in the world’s eyes.
This is a very common mindset—and very easy to fall into: placing human ability, eloquence, and success above the gospel of Christ.
But the gospel doesn’t work that way. The gospel enters our lives through the cross—through Jesus’ weakness, His willingness to give Himself, His willingness to suffer so that sinners could be saved.
Today’s church faces similar pressures. We often look at outward results—Was the event well-organized? Is the church growing? Is the leader charismatic? But Paul reminds us that true spirituality isn’t about looking strong; it’s about returning to the cross of Christ.
True maturity means surrendering to God, living out repentance, and loving one another—not chasing face, achievement, or reputation.
Paul was worried that when he visited Corinth again, he would find “quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder” (v20). And beneath all these problems is one root issue: the heart has drifted from the gospel.
When we forget how Jesus saved us, forget how He loves us, we naturally become self-centered, impatient with others, and even turn the church into a place of competition.
Paul is calling us back to the heart of the gospel: Jesus willingly suffered for our sins and brought us into God’s family; now, by His grace, we build one another up—not compare with one another.
Reflection:
In your recent life—at home, at work, or in church—have you been more concerned about what people think rather than how Jesus loves you? Have you forgotten the gospel in a way that makes you compare, compete, or feel easily offended?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I confess that my heart is easily moved by the opinions of others, and I often measure myself and others by outward performance. Please bring my heart back to the cross of Jesus. Help me see myself and my brothers and sisters through Your eyes. Teach me to rely on Your grace in my weakness, and to show Your love in my relationships. In Jesus’ name, Amen.