Category Archives: corinthians

“So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.” (2 Corinthians 12:7, ESV) When I was in the Army Ranger School, we had a phase of training inContinue reading “Blessing of a Thorn (2 Cor 12:5-7)”

“On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses— though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of meContinue reading “Refraining From Boasting (2 Corinthians 12:1-6)”

“Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.” (2 Corinthians 11:28, KJV) When I served as an officer in the United States Army assigned as an armor platoon leader in Germany, I was responsible for the maintenance of six main battle tanks, the operational performanceContinue reading “The Greatest Burden (2 Cor 11:21-33)”

“I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little. That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting. Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I willContinue reading “Speaking as a Fool (2 Cor 11:16-21)”

“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” (2 Corinthians 11:13–14, KJV) Some time ago, we saw an advertisement on the internet. It seemed to be from a major outdoors outfitter. Their clothing and other thingsContinue reading “Too Good to be True (2 Cor 11:12-15)”

“Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?” (2 Corinthians 11:7, KJV) There is an economic/business expression that I heard while I was in college called, “faulty market mechanism.” It explains a somewhat deceptive marketing ploy. It works likeContinue reading “Faulty Market Mechanism (2 Corinthians 11:7-11)”

“But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.” (2 Corinthians 11:6, KJV) There is an old joke, “How do you tell when a politician is lying?” The answer is, “When he is speaking.” It is unfortunate that we would makeContinue reading “Truth Trumps Eloquence (2 Cor 11:6)”

“Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as theContinue reading “Godly Jealousy (2 Cor 11:1-6)”

“’Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.’ For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.” (2 Corinthians 10:17–18, ESV) My dad taught me a lot of things. One was that a man should not have to toot his own horn. To “tootContinue reading “Proper Boasting (2 Cor 10:13-18)”

“For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” (2 Corinthians 10:12, KJV) I used an illustration in a sermon once to demonstrate people’s flawed evaluation of themselves. I took a gray pieceContinue reading “Two Standards (2 Corinthians 10:12)”