By Mark Grace, CCCNZ Ambassador
In 2 Corinthians 10, Paul defends his ministry against a group of antagonistic leaders in the Corinthian church. In his letter, he will ironically call this group ‘super apostles’ and expose them for what they are: false apostles and deceitful workers.
His main argument becomes clear in verse 18. “For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.”
While making his case, Paul says in verse 12:
“We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.”
In 30 years of ministry, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve done what Paul dared not do.
I can’t tell you the times that I’ve commended a group, organisation or team I’ve been a part of by subtly putting down other groups, organisations, or teams.
It’s so easy to justify ourselves or vindicate ourselves by comparing, by going easy on ourselves and being hard on others.
But this is exactly what Paul says he resisted doing. Rather than comparing and self-commending, which comes from pride, jealousy, and self-promotion, Paul let his commendation come from the Lord.
Paul knew that self-commendation means nothing; but commendation from the Lord means everything.
Our hearts can rest in the commendation that comes from the cross of Christ.
The more we rely on God and his grace as the source of our commendation, as the source of our sense of approval, our hearts will be characterised by humility, contentment, meekness, and selflessness.
Even though Paul really did have good reason to compare himself favourably to the ‘super apostles’, he refused to participate in their self-commendation. We can follow his example and rest in the Lord’s commendation.
