2 Cor. 10:7-18

The closing chapters of 2 Corinthians reveal a somewhat ticklish situation for Paul.  He needs to affirm his God-given authority.  Yet he does not want to appear proud.  The truth is that everyone is involved in making evaluations.  Believers are actually called to this (e.g. Matt. 7:15-20).  What we need is a standard.  In vs.13,15 & 16, the word translated “sphere”, “measure” or “field” actually refers to such a standard, a rule of thumb.  What standards do you use: those of the world or those of Scripture?

·        Worldly rules for ministry evaluation:

o   v7-11: the rule of outward appearance.  Some discounted Paul because of his appearance, thinking he was different in person than in his letters.  They had forgotten that God chose the “contemptible” (1 Cor. 1:28), the very term applied here to Paul in v10.

o   v12-18: the rule of comparing with others.  Many commend themselves by comparing themselves with other people.  If we choose the right person with just the right weaknesses we can always make ourselves seem to be better.  But Paul is right when he refuses to speak of what others did (v12-13) but only the things God gave him to do (v14-15).

·        Biblical rules for ministry evaluation:

o   v7: the rule of belonging to Christ.  The question, “do I belong to Christ”, is the bottom line question.  Paul’s life bore strong evidence of one who was yielded to his Lord, Jesus Christ.

o   v8: the rule of building others up.  This is the maximum way in which we serve Christ because this is exactly what He is doing: building His Church (Matt. 16:18).  Jesus’ strong words against the false shepherds of Israel in Matt. 23 reveal how people can minister in such a way as to destroy the flock rather than build it up.

o   v16: the rule of “boasting” in God’s specific calling.  God appoints us to ministry (v13).  He gives grace or gifts to each believer (Rom. 12:3), distributing to each one according to His calling (1 Cor. 7:17).  Paul was called to preach the gospel to the Gentiles in the regions beyond, a pioneer ministry where others had not gone (Rom. 15:20-21).  For that reason he cannot compare himself to others whose calling is not the same.

o   v17: the rule of boasting in the Lord.  The issue is not what have I done but, “What has God done through me?”  In the following chapters you will see that Paul truly boasts in the Lord because he boasts about his weaknesses.

This passage has much to say to Christians today.  We often engage in evaluating churches and pastors and leaders on the basis of outward appearance, comparing them with each other.  Let us remember: what matters is not what we think of ourselves but what God thinks (v18).  Let us evaluate by His standards.