Daily Devotions
2 Corinthians
"That you may have an answer..."
Text: 2 Corinthians 5:12
PAUL AS AN APOLOGIST
An “apologist” is one who defends the faith. Paul was a great apologist for the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
1. He defended the faith
a) Against the Judaizers (Galatians).
b) Against false teachings (Colossians; Paul wrote against what is often called “incipient Gnosticism”).
i) Gnosticism was a cult that became prominent in the second century.
ii) In the first century the incipient of Gnosticism had already begun to appear.
c) What were some of the doctrines they promoted?
i) It attacked the Deity of Christ.
ii) It attacked the Humanity of Christ.
iii) It promoted the idea of secret knowledge given only to those initiated into their cult.
2. He urged the Corinthians to stand up and defend him (Paul)
A special set of circumstances had arisen. Paul was attacked.
a) His doctrines were called into question.
b) His character was also challenged.
Paul wrote this very intriguing word to the Corinthians!
“For we do not commend ourselves again to you,
but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf,
that you may have an answer for those
who boast in appearance and not in heart.”
2 Corinthians 5:12
3. “For we do not commend ourselves again to you”
a) Paul’s life and ministry were well-known to the people in Corinth.
b) There was surely no need to “commend themselves” to the church.
4. “But give you opportunity to boast on our behalf”
a) Paul saw the attacks on him as an opportunity.
b) If they had truly known and appreciated him they could do the following things:
i) They would not stay silent while Paul was attacked.
ii) They could stand up and “boast” about the servant of God that Paul had proven himself to be.
5. “That you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart”
Paul was encouraging the Corinthians to stand up for the truth! The attacks on Paul’s doctrines and life were uncalled for! The Corinthians had benefited so much from his pastoral teaching ministry. They should be able to give answers to mischievous detractors!