Prepare
Opening Prayer
Thank God for the day and the gift of his Word, asking him to teach what sacrifice and love look like.
Read
Scripture Passage
Reluctant Boasting
16 I say again, let no one think me a fool. If otherwise, at least receive me as a fool, that I also may boast a little. 17 What I speak, I speak not according to the Lord, but as it were, foolishly, in this confidence of boasting. 18 Seeing that many boast according to the flesh, I also will boast. 19 For you put up with fools gladly, since you yourselves are wise! 20 For you put up with it if one brings you into bondage, if one devours you, if one takes from you, if one exalts himself, if one strikes you on the face. 21 To our shame I say that we were too weak for that! But in whatever anyone is bold—I speak foolishly—I am bold also.
Suffering for Christ
22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. 24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— 28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?
30 If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity. 31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. 32 In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me; 33 but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands.
The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), 2 Co 11:16-33
A — About
What Is This Passage About?
Pressed to answer false apostles, Paul turns worldly boasting upside down. His credentials are not polish, money, or status but costly love for Christ and the churches: exhausting labor, beatings, imprisonment, danger, deprivation, and daily concern for God's people. His weakness and suffering display the authenticity of a ministry patterned after Christ.
B — Best Verse
Which Verse Best Summarizes the Passage?
2 Corinthians 11:22-30
Are they Hebrews, so am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they this seed of Abraham? So am I Are they ministers of Christ? I speak as a fool. I am more in laborers more abundant in stripes above measure in prison more frequently, in deaths, often from the Jews Five times I received 40 Stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned Three times I was shipwrecked. Night and day I have been in the deep end journeys often in peril of water, in perils of robbery and perils of my own countrymen, and perils of the Gentiles and perils in the city and perils in the wilderness and perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness, often in a hunger and thirst in fastings, often, in cold and nakedness. Besides the other things, what comes upon me daily, my deep concern for all the turret churches who is weak? Am I not weak? Who has made to stumble? Am I not? And do I not burn with indignation? If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity.
Bryan says he would highlight verses 22 through 29 and underline verse 30. Together they include every explicit selection: Paul's catalogue of sufferings and concern for the churches culminates in boasting only in weakness.
C — Called or Christ
C — Called to Do
Do not be surprised when fidelity to Christ brings opposition. Respect and follow elders whose sacrificial lives match their teaching, and evaluate teachers by whether they follow the Word and walk the walk rather than by pomp or popularity.
Devotional Study
Transcript of the devotion. Minor transcription errors may remain.
2 Corinthians 11:16-33
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Reluctant Boasting
16 I say again, let no one think me a fool. If otherwise, at least receive me as a fool, that I also may boast a little. 17 What I speak, I speak not according to the Lord, but as it were, foolishly, in this confidence of boasting. 18 Seeing that many boast according to the flesh, I also will boast. 19 For you put up with fools gladly, since you yourselves are wise! 20 For you put up with it if one brings you into bondage, if one devours you, if one takes from you, if one exalts himself, if one strikes you on the face. 21 To our shame I say that we were too weak for that! But in whatever anyone is bold—I speak foolishly—I am bold also.
Suffering for Christ
22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. 24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— 28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?
30 If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity. 31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. 32 In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me; 33 but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands.
The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), 2 Co 11:16-33