Commuter Bible NT John Ross

Here in chapter 3 Paul poses a series of questions from an opposing party’s point of view, as if he is being challenged by someone making arguments against his position. After most of these questions, Paul will respond by saying, “Absolutely not!” and will then proceed to explain why his opponents’ proposition doesn’t hold up. The overarching theme is that man is not justified by works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. Such faith does not nullify the law, but instead, upholds it, because it is by the law that we know our sin. There is no one perfect, for all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. Justification cannot be earned by such fallen people, which is why it is necessary that one inherit Christ’s righteousness.

In chapter 1, Paul covered natural revelation, that is, the concept that everyone begins with an understanding that God exists because the natural world reveals it to men. Men suppress this truth in unrighteousness, and are guilty of any number of sins. Even though such is the case, Paul tells that church that they ought not concern themselves with casting judgment as much as they ought to concern themselves with faithfulness to God, especially in those cases where the accuser is guilty of the same sins whereby he finds fault in another person. Obedience to the Law means little if the person in question is not set apart for the Lord. It is not the outward sign of circumcision which is important, but the inward sign of s circumcised heart.

Paul’s letter to the house churches of Rome is full of rich, theological truth, often presenting ideas that are both mind-boggling and comforting all at once. In today’s passage, Paul begins to present his case for a righteousness that comes by faith. He begins by explaining that the world rejects God because they love their unrighteous behavior more than their Creator. Claiming to be wise, they become fools, and exchange the glory of God for created things. This twisting of worship results in twisted forms of living including sexual deviance, greed, malice, quarrels, gossip, slander, arrogance, and more. Not only are these embraced by mankind, but men who commit such acts are applauded.

In our last episode, Paul boasted about his works in order to show the church at Corinth that if boasting were a contest, he would win against his so-called competition, the super-apostles. In the end, however, he concluded that it was better to boast of his weaknesses. He continues where he left off, telling the church that the Lord gave him a “thorn in the flesh… a messenger of Satan to torment me so that I would not exalt myself.” It is when we are weak in the flesh, that we can be strong in Christ. He concludes this line of thinking by assuring the church that everything he has said was for building up the church and not as a defense. Finally, he ends with exhortations to test yourself to see if you are in the faith, and to rejoice.

As mentioned in previous episodes, the church at Corinth has been influenced by false teachers whom Paul calls “super-apostles.” They came to town with eloquent speeches, self-exaltation, pedigrees of varying kinds, and, unsurprisingly, requests for money. Paul is jealous for the church at Corinth as a husband would be jealous for his bride. He doesn’t want the church at Corinth to be impressed with polished public speaking or crafty teachings that are inferior to the gospel. He knows that if Satan can appear as an angel of light, then it is certainly no surprise that his servants would disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Paul riffs on the idea of boasting by boasting about himself in jest, for if boasting is necessary Paul has these guys beat hands-down.

In earlier sections of 2 Corinthians, we read about the distress the church experienced when Paul came to them with confidence and authority in addressing the sins of one of Corinth’s church members. Today, he assures them that his boldness comes from a desire to demolish arguments, not people. There are some in the church who say that Paul isn’t all that captivating or bold in person, he just talks a big game in his letters. Paul’s aim, however, is not to come across as impressive, but instead, to impress upon the church the goodness of the gospel and the right-ness of taking every thought captive to obey Christ.