Daily Devotions
2 Corinthians
"So am I."
Text: 2 Corinthians 11:22
ADDRESSING ISSUES FORTHRIGHTLY
It seemed that there was no other way than to address the problem of false teaching forthrightly. It is not unlikely that these false teachers were the ones who had influenced the Galatian churches too.
“Are they Hebrews? So am I.
Are they Israelites? So am I.
Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I.”
2 Corinthians 11:22
1. “Are they Hebrews? So am I”
a) The false teachers took pride in their Hebrew ancestry.
b) The Corinthians were largely of Gentile stock.
c) Somehow the Corinthians were struck by their Hebrew lineage.
d) Paul had to remind them that he was Hebrew too!
2. “Are they Israelites? So am I”
a) The false teachers took great pains to emphasise their background as “children of Israel”
i) Their history was one where God was directly involved.
ii) They took pride in the rich heritage of their covenant relationship with God.
iii) Gentiles could not speak of any such heritage.
b) So am I
i) Paul could have boasted of the same heritage.
ii) He did not… for obvious reasons!
iii) A believer has all he needs in Christ Jesus! He is complete in Christ (Colossians 2:10)
3. “Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I!”
a) The Judaizing false teachers highlighted that only those who were of the seed of Abraham would be specially blessed by God.
b) Thus, only those who were of Jewish ancestry would inherit the blessings God promised Abraham.
c) Paul refuted this false teaching in his Epistle to the Galatians.
VITAL AND PRECIOUS TRUTHS
The following is a summary of vital truths about our spiritual heritage!