seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
2 Corinthians 11:16 I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool. But if you do, then tolerate me just as you would a fool, so that I may do a little boasting. 17 In this self-confident boasting I am not talking as the Lord would, but as a fool. 18 Since many are boasting in the way the world does, I too will boast. 19 You gladly put up with fools since you are so wise! 20 In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or puts on airs or slaps you in the face. 21 To my shame I admit that we were too weak for that!
Whatever anyone else dares to boast about—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast about. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?
30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying. 32 In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me. 33 But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands.
I looked at the next chapter but this one does end here. Poor, poor Paul... He's been through a lot since he held those coats. The commentary is interesting but I'm not quoting it this morning. Paul's been quite clear.
Please allow me to remind everyone that when we met Paul, he was part of the Sanhedrin. For those who are not familiar with titles... like me... The Sanhedrin was the highest court of justice and the supreme council in ancient Jerusalem. So, Paul was used to being respected. Paul was a Super Jew!!!
Since Paul was used to going around with his nose in the air as a Super Jew on the Supreme Council, it's easy to see that he "voted" to put Jesus on the Cross.
Since Paul was used to going around with his nose in the air as a Super Jew on the Supreme Council, it's not too hard to see how he would have been in the right place for the beating of Stephen.
Since Paul was used to going around with his nose in the air as a Super Jew on the Supreme Council, it's not a far stretch to see how he could bring himself to put Christians in prison.
Since Paul was used to going around with his nose in the air as a Super Jew on the Supreme Council, it's easy to see his "need" to be a Super Apostle.
Paul's idols.... fame and adoration.
He needed to be a Super Apostle.
Paul needed to be respected as a Super Apostle.... After all he was on the Supreme Council so he was very experienced with running the show.
Paul was addicted!
His addiction was the deep need for fame, adoration, and respect.
Paul was addicted!
