The identity of
Paul’s opponents would be tied into the disunity that was occurring in the
church at Corinth. There was more than one opponent. Paul uses rhetorical
questions to open their eyes to the seriousness of their conflict. Each group
claimed loyalty to a certain personality. There was Paul, Apollos, Cephas
(Peter), and Christ. This happens even today. The Corinthians perception of the
message of salvation had become distorted which is not to surprising when
looking at the society they lived in. It was not human wisdom that Paul preached,
but the pivotal point of Paul’s preaching was Jesus Christ. The opponents in 1
Corinthians would appear to be the different factions which caused disunity.
In 2
Corinthians Paul defends his ministry against those who had decimated his
character. He reaffirms his authority as an apostle of Christ. Paul is concern
for the spiritual welfare of the Corinthians. Paul encourages the factions in
the church to resolve their differences. He conveys the crucial doctrines of
Christian principles. “For all the
promises of God in Him are yes, and in Him amen, to the glory of God through
us. Now he who establishes us in you through Christ and has anointed us in God,
who has also sealed us, and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee” (2 Cor. 1:20-22). Paul’s spiritual
children are being pulled away by rivals to the gospel.
F. C. Baur felt
that Paul’s opponents were Judaizers. He summed it up as conflict between the
Jewish Christians and the Gentile Christians which was eventually discredited
due to the date of his sources as first-century conflict between Peter and Paul.[1]It is difficult to find any
evidence of this in 1 Cor., but there is a Jewish connection in 2 Cor. Johannes
Munck does not feel that there were any factions in the 1 Cor. church but
squabbling and disagreements.[2] The people are yielding to
worldly wisdom which is causing a division. The people live in a place where
sophists make their point in public places. They are bombarded on every side by
ungodly religions and life styles which are accepted in this area. Their own
thought patterns are being affected. It takes diligence then and now to keep
our minds on Christ, and continue walking in the Spirit, so we are not led away
by the wisdom of the world.
“More recently, a Gnostic theory has
been advanced as the “key” to unlocking Paul’s opposition. The most consistent
advocate of this position has been W. Schmithals. He argues that the Gnostics
were the “Christ party,” for they claimed to be embodiments of the spirit of
Christ.”[3]
The roots of Gnosticism may be found in the first century, but it did not reach
its fulness until the second century.
Paul proclaims to the believers the
importance of having Christ in every area of their life. Fully surrendering to
Him. “But of Him you are in Christ
Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God-and righteousness and sanctification
and redemption- that, as it is written, “He who glories let him glory in the
Lord” (1 Cor. 1:30). Paul points out that Christ lives His life through His
church. We are the body of Christ, and as such we further his kingdom here on
earth. The “Great Commission” is our life. Everyone is given gifts to be used
to further his kingdom here on earth. The world then and now is in spiritual
warfare. The terrorism that we read about, the wars between nations and
individuals is all spiritual warfare. It is through the church and the
individuals that make up the church that the enemy is put down. Through
hardship the Christian experiences the comfort that comes from Christ. Paul
acclaims the Christians triumph, light, reconciliation, substitute, gift and
strength through Christ Jesus. Satan opposes the church and will create
divisions if allowed. Christians must walk in the Spirit and not give place to
Satan.
Why were some of Paul’s opponents eager to challenge his
apostolic authority? Why did Paul take this challenge seriously? How did he
respond to these challenges?
Paul did not
merely belong to Christ, but he was His servant, His disciple. His authority
came through Christ for the edification of the church (2 Cor. 10:8). Paul
repeats this in 2 Cor. 13:10. His authority came through Christ. Paul’s critics
who were false apostles (2 Cor. 11:13-14) accused Paul of walking after the flesh, of
being deceitful, and intimidating the churches through his letters. They even
accused him of defrauding people. “Open
your hearts to us. We have wronged no one, we have cheated no one. I do not say
this to condemn; for I have said before that you are in our hearts, to die
together and to live together” (2 Cor. 7:2). The false apostles were trying
to undermine Paul’s authority, so they could take power for themselves. Their
accusations raised doubts in the Corinthians minds about Paul’s honor. The
attack had been severe, and he writes to reaffirm his authority, and to confirm
that his ministry is forthright and genuine. “ The rivals are trying to
dislodge Paul from his rightful position as leader of the church by challenging
his authority and belittling his adequacy as a rhetor. …Consequently, he
defends his authority as something given to him by God; and he will not be put
to shame for speaking of it or for wielding it.”[4]
2 Corinthians 10:7-11. “You are looking at things as they are
outwardly. If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s, let him
consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ’s, so also are
we. (8) For even if I boast somewhat further about our authority, which the
Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be put to
shame, (9) for I do not wish to seem as if I would terrify you by my letters.
(10) For they say, ‘His letters are weighty and strong, but his personal
presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible.’ (11) Let such a person
consider this, that what we are in word by letters when absent, such persons we
are also in deed when present.”
Paul’s life was a testimony to Christ. He practiced what he
preached. Walking with Christ, and being filled with the Holy Spirit is a
lifestyle. Paul was concerned about false apostles who
would pull the people away from the truth and the purity of the Gospel of Jesus
Christ. Paul had no issues with other pastors as he affirms in 1 Cor. 15:11: “Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.”
In defending himself he also defends the Gospel. He had founded the church, and
he was their spiritual father, and as such was responsible for guiding them. To
allow false apostles to come in and undermine his authority would have been
irresponsible. Sheep need a strong shepherd to guide them. Paul was guiding his
sheep even though at times it took strong language. They must always follow
Christ.
“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other
gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed”
(Gal. 1:8).
“But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was
preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of
man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ” (Gal.
1:11-12).
[1] John B. Polhill.
“1 Corinthians: A Church Divided”. Southern
Baptist Journal of Theology. SBJT 06:3 (Fall 2002). Accessed Oct. 24, 2017,
8.
[2] Ibid., 9.
[3] Ibid., 8.
[4] David E. Garland.
2 Corinthians: The New American
Commentary. vol. 29. (Nashville, Tennessee: B & H Publishing, 1999),
443.
