In 2 Corinthians 1-11, Paul has primarily discussed his own fitness as a soldier of Jesus Christ. In Chapter 12, he tells the Corinthians he is coming to examine those who claim to be soldiers of Christ and see if they are truly fit for duty. For that reason, he gives them some principles and guidelines, hoping that they will examine themselves.
We, too, must examine ourselves in order to prove ourselves fit for duty. We do this by maintaining a patient sacrificial love (2 Corinthians 12:14-18). If you could sum up Paul’s writings, you would find that this is the epitome of his fitness for duty. He loves the church with the sacrificial love that we know of primarily as the love of a father or mother for their child. At the beginning of Chapter 11, he talks about being the father of a daughter who makes sure that she gets the perfect match in a husband. In 1 Corinthians 4, he says that the reason he speaks such strong words to them is because he is their spiritual father.
Being a parent is not easy. Paul points out that he loves them more than they love him and he knows the pain that comes when a child does not appreciate his parents’ instruction. Paul no doubt became impatient with them at times. He never, however, disowned them. This church treated him worse than all the other churches. Yet we find he plans on sacrificing again for them because he feels that is what is best for their future.
He does this in the face of the lies being spread about him. The sad part is that some likely believed the lies. They would rather put their confidence in men who had made themselves the measure of spirituality rather than Paul who exhibited humility and sacrificial love.
Christ empowers us to maintain this love (13:1-4). There is only one way to maintain our love for those with whom we are in conflict: it is through Christ’s power. Paul is speaking of the resurrection power of Christ working in our weakness, enabling us to love those who do not love us, even if they continue to make excuses for their behavior. Just as Jesus died in weakness to save the world from sin, God wants us to suffer in weakness so he can empower us to love and edify our fellow believers.
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