The Approach
It is interesting to me that Paul approaches the church which gave him the most trouble with such words as are found in the opening verses of 2 Corinthians 10.
They doubted his ministry, they criticized his actions, they held him in contempt... This was the man who brought them the Gospel. And yet his approach is meek to this band of misfit followers so full of themselves thinking they have gone beyond him.
2 Corinthians 10:1–2 (ESV) I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away!— 2 I beg of you that when I am present I may not have to show boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh.
Meekness, unfortunately is understood to be synonymous with weakness. It is not. It is strength under control, the ability to reign in your temperament and lead with humility like Jesus. All the while knowing full well you could and will be ready to punish and lay the hammer down when necessary.
True leadership is not measured in the tone of ones voice but in the content of his character.
PRAYER:
Father, may I grow in meekness. Knowing full well that strength does not have to be consistently made known but saved for the time when nothing else can work. Help me to walk in the meekness and gentleness of Christ even in the face of opponents.
They doubted his ministry, they criticized his actions, they held him in contempt... This was the man who brought them the Gospel. And yet his approach is meek to this band of misfit followers so full of themselves thinking they have gone beyond him.
2 Corinthians 10:1–2 (ESV) I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away!— 2 I beg of you that when I am present I may not have to show boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh.
Paul's name means "little." He calls on that designation here to warn the Corinthian opposition so that he may have to be bold to some troublemakers. The Judaizers were stirring up trouble in Corinth, arguing forcefully and boastfully to win over numerous converts. Sometimes the loudest voice wins even when it's the wrong one. Hitler was known for attracting great crowds while shouting at the top of his lungs.
Paul could have shouted back. He could have railed against them with words so inspired they'd have nothing to say in return. He was, after all an expert in rhetoric and literary whit, learned not only in Hebrew Scriptures, but also the classics which he quotes on occasion. If ministry was about who could sound the most impressive, Paul could have played that card without equal.
You've been there. The argument heats up. You've got something stirring inside and you just let it out... only to regret later that you did it. The damage is done and even if you won the argument, you may have lost your influence.
Paul begs not to be harsh. His anger and vengeance are under the blood of Jesus. So are his pride and arrogance. Paul is a new man with a new mission. An appeal by the meekness and gentleness of Christ is all he wants to make.
Meekness, unfortunately is understood to be synonymous with weakness. It is not. It is strength under control, the ability to reign in your temperament and lead with humility like Jesus. All the while knowing full well you could and will be ready to punish and lay the hammer down when necessary.
True leadership is not measured in the tone of ones voice but in the content of his character.
PRAYER:
Father, may I grow in meekness. Knowing full well that strength does not have to be consistently made known but saved for the time when nothing else can work. Help me to walk in the meekness and gentleness of Christ even in the face of opponents.
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