|
|
Pathways Through Paul
Daily Devotional
June 18
Click on verses for Full Scripture
|
previous - - - - - - - - - -
next
|
Today's Pathway:
|
Yesterday's passage concluded with Paul telling the Corinthians that he was going to send Timothy to teach them some principles that they needed to learn. Paul then accuses the church of having some members in it who were living in sin and were so arrogant that they didn't think that Paul would have the courage to come to Corinth himself and confront them about it. Paul, as an apostle, had authority to deal with the churches of that day. Ephesians 2:20 says,
"And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone."
Because the totality of the Scriptures had not yet been completed, prophets and apostles were used by God to provide direction to the churches. Jesus was the cornerstone, but Paul and other apostles were necessary components in building the churches spiritually. Thus, they had the right to go to churches to teach, admonish, and rebuke as needed. However, many in the Corinthian church were not interested in what Paul had to say. As we have seen previously, they were very satisfied with their behavior. In fact, they were so prideful that they thought that they could intimidate Paul with their worldly wisdom to the point that he would just leave them alone.
In verse 19 Paul makes it clear that he is going to show up there at some point. He does say that his ability to visit them would be contingent upon the Lord's will (James 4:15), but he plans to go. He then tells them that he will be coming to find out if they have the power of God. It is very easy to talk about what you are doing for God, but it is another thing to be able to give evidence that the power of God is on your life. Paul has already talked about the power of God in this epistle. He has told them that "the preaching of the cross...is the power of God" (I Corinthians 1:18), that Christ is the power of God (I Corinthians 1:24), and that his own speech and preaching was a demonstration of the power of God (I Corinthians 2:4-5). He has discussed in this chapter the struggles and sacrifices that he and other apostles have made for the cause of Christ. His plan is to go to Corinth and see, not just hear, whether or not the church there has any evidence of spiritual power. John MacArthur wrote,
"A person’s true spiritual character is not determined by the impressiveness of his words but by the power of his life."
Jack Arnold adds,
"Paul would see if they had any power in their lives, if they were practicing what they preached, if they were sacrificing their time, talents and monies for Christ."
Talk is cheap. Proverbs 20:6 reads,
"Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?"
The Corinthians loved to talk about how spiritual they were. Paul says that he will go to see for himself because their actions will reveal the true condition of their hearts.
He finishes this chapter by raising an interesting question:
"Shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?"
The question is this: when I show up, will I need to come and chasten you, or will I be able to come with kindness and affection? It will be the Corinthians' choice. If they listen to his words in this epistle and change their ways, then when Paul arrives he and the church can have a great time together. If they don't listen and change, then he will be forced to deal with them in a punitive way. This is a principle that the Lord has also established: if we respond to the teaching of the Word, then He will bless us. If we refuse to respond, then He will be forced to deal with us (I Corinthians 11:31).
Are you living for the Lord? Do you have His power? Or are you all talk and no action?
Pastor Mark J Montgomery
|
|
You Are Here: 
