Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=2Corinthians+011
CHAPTER 11 (ESV)
16 I repeat, let no one think me foolish. But even if you do, accept me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little. 17 What I am saying with this boastful confidence, I say not as the Lord would but as a fool. 18 Since many boast according to the flesh, I too will boast. 19 For you gladly bear with fools, being wise yourselves!20 For you bear it if someone makes slaves of you, or devours you, or takes advantage of you, or puts on airs, or strikes you in the face. 21 To my shame, I must say, we were too weak for that!
But whatever anyone else dares to boast of—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast of that. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they offspring of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death.24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one.25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant?
30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.
REFLECTION:
- Read this passage slowly as if you were with Paul: storms, imprisonment, beating, robbery, hunger, shipwreck, drift at sea…… What do you think of such a “resume” of Paul, a great spiritual giant in contrast to the impressive resume the world seeks after? How do you think of such a leader?
- Why does Paul say, “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness”? God is still looking for “weak” people in whom to display His strength. Are you interested in the job?
PRAYER:
- Coming before God with a grateful heart, I thank God for providing me with a peaceful environment and a good life, sparing me from suffering like that of Paul. I pray that God keeps me vigilant, so that my current peaceful and comfortable life does not become my weakness, hindering the growth of my life.
- I ask God to grant me greater courage, enabling me to boldly step out of my comfort zone, strive to spread the gospel, and be a powerful witness for the Lord.
HYMN:
Reward – youtu.be/n-uGMWCWkAI
