Paul’s Boasting in Himself 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Contradictory Statements? Prohibited boasting Prohibited boasting Romans 3:27; 4:2Romans 3:27; 4:2 2 Corinthians 10: Corinthians 10:13-16 James 4:16James 4:16 Condoned boasting Condoned boasting 2 Corinthians 7:4; 8:24; 9:2; 10:8, 17, 18; 11:10; 12:12 Corinthians 7:4; 8:24; 9:2; 10:8, 17, 18; 11:10; 12:1

Can They Be Reconciled? Critics use them as “proof” Critics use them as “proof” Maybe Paul’s critics were right Maybe Paul’s critics were right Maybe he wasn’t an apostle Maybe he wasn’t an apostle Contradicted himself Contradicted himself

Solution Context Why use the third person? When is boasting proper?

Text Larger context (Chapters 10-12) Larger context (Chapters 10-12) His apostleship was questioned (10:2, 10; 11:5-8, 13)His apostleship was questioned (10:2, 10; 11:5-8, 13) Boasters accepted (11:16, 19)Boasters accepted (11:16, 19) Boasted in weakness (12:5, 10)Boasted in weakness (12:5, 10)

Text Text itself (12:1-10) Text itself (12:1-10) Look at his suffering (11:16-33)Look at his suffering (11:16-33) A man caught up into the third heaven (vv. 1-4; Numbers 12:3)A man caught up into the third heaven (vv. 1-4; Numbers 12:3) Boasted of weaknesses (vv. 5, 6)Boasted of weaknesses (vv. 5, 6) Spoke of himselfSpoke of himself “Thorn in the flesh” (vv. 7, 8)“Thorn in the flesh” (vv. 7, 8) Relied on God (vv. 9, 10)Relied on God (vv. 9, 10)

Why This Approach? Teaching methods of Jesus Teaching methods of Jesus Parables (Luke 8:4-16)Parables (Luke 8:4-16) Questioning (Matthew 21:23-27)Questioning (Matthew 21:23-27) Storytelling (Luke 10:29-37)Storytelling (Luke 10:29-37) Stern rebuke (Matthew 23)Stern rebuke (Matthew 23)

Why This Approach Paul’s use of sarcasm Paul’s use of sarcasm Elijah (1 Kings 18:27)Elijah (1 Kings 18:27) Malachi (Malachi 1:6-10)Malachi (Malachi 1:6-10) Paul accepted if a “fool” (12:1)Paul accepted if a “fool” (12:1) Use of third person (10:10; 12:6)Use of third person (10:10; 12:6) “Crafty fellow” (11:7; 12:16)“Crafty fellow” (11:7; 12:16)

What About Boasting? Did Paul boast? Did Paul boast? Yes, sarcasticallyYes, sarcastically Wrong under other circumstances (Romans 3:27)Wrong under other circumstances (Romans 3:27) Free to use teaching methods Free to use teaching methods Caution: Goal is to save soulsCaution: Goal is to save souls “Speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15)“Speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15)

Conclusion Put aside boasting Put aside boasting Humble ourselves before God Humble ourselves before God