2Co 11:10-12 “As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia. Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth. But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.”
Paul was very determined that no man should be able to challenge or change him from the course he was set upon. His determination to stay this course was in evidence that the truth of Christ was in him. This was his only desire and his only claim in boasting. It was not that Paul thought to boast of himself, but rather to boast of the grace and truth of Jesus Christ.
Paul was boastful in a positive manner. He was not merely being a braggart, but was pointing the brethren at Corinth to the fact that he had required nothing of them. He came to preach the gospel to them freely, even though he took aid from other churches at times in order to do so. Based on Paul’s language here, it would appear that some of the false teachers in the area were attempting to make it appear that Paul did not truly love the saints at Corinth.
It is evident that there were false teachers attacking Paul’s stance concerning the bringing the gospel of Christ to the Corinthians. According to some commentators, they were trying to make it appear that Paul did not come to them in love because he refused their goods. They were trying to make it look like Paul’s determination to not be chargeable to the Corinthians was because he did not think their offerings were good enough.
To this falsehood, Paul makes a bold statement. He calls upon God as his witness to the deep love he feels for the church at Corinth. With great passion, Paul assures them that he will continue to walk as he has been walking. He will not succumb to the posturing of these false teachers and alter his course to be more in keeping with theirs.
Paul makes it clear that he has taken this stand in order to cut off the self-boasting of others. While they are looking for an occasion to malign Paul and boost their own standing, Paul declares that he will not give them room to carry out this folly. His focus is to give God the glory for his standing among the Corinthians and throughout the regions of Achaia. He has no intention of giving place to men that it might appear their labor is the same as his.
As we labor to minister to God’s people, we will be faced with many challenges. Some will try to belittle us and sway us from the path God has set before us. Perhaps they will cause some to question our love for God’s people and sow discord. The best answer we can give to these things is not in endless debate and wrangling.
If we would stop the mouths of false teachers, we should simply continue to boast in the goodness of God. We should be determined, as Paul was, to call God to witness to our love for the church. We should never abandon the truth of Christ that is in us to curry the favor of men. After all, it is God who is able to make us stand.
May our love for the saints of God be ever manifest in the truth of Jesus Christ!
