Sunday 28th May
Read 2 Corinthians 10:17-18
“But, ‘Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.’18 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.” (NIVUK)
My suspicion is that Paul has had the words of Jeremiah in mind the entire time he has been thinking about ‘some people’ in the church at Corinth steering the believers away from faith. He cites is at the beginning of the first letter we have and he cites it at the end of the last letter. It is worth reading in full.
“This is what the Lord says:
‘Let not the wise boast of their wisdom
or the strong boast of their strength
or the rich boast of their riches,
24 but let the one who boasts boast about this:
that they have the understanding to know me,
that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,’
declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 9:23-24) (NIVUK)
Wisdom, strength and money – all the things these interlopers command or claim. They claim to be wise and spiritual and full of knowledge. They boast that they speak powerfully whilst Paul is weak and they command payment for messages rendered, making themselves rich. But Paul has the one thing they don’t. Paul knows Jesus. Paul knows His kindness, justice and purity and they are all he needs. He will only boast in Jesus (cf Philippians 3). Nothing else in his life is worth anything compared to knowing Him
