I just finished D.A. Carson’s A Model of Christian Maturity: An Exposition of 2 Corinthians 10-13. It was formerly published as From Triumphalism to Maturity.
It covers on of the more difficult passages of Paul’s letters, one which seems particularly appropriate in these times. As I read the book, I could not help but think of many instances to “triumphalism” or an over-realized eschatology.
Carson writes in an understandable fashion that addresses the various exegetical problems of the text. It is a book that is helpful for those wanting to better understand this passage of Scripture, or wanting to have a better understanding of mature Christian leadership.
In this passage of Scripture, Paul is trying to distinguish himself from the “super-apostles” who have entered the Corinthian church, seeking to supplant him. Their ‘credentials’ lead us to believe that they are Judaizers who measure ministry by worldly standards of success rather than biblical standards of faithfulness. They continually discredit Paul as not meeting their superior standards, seeking to win the Corinthians’ hearts and wallets.
They measure success by power- both in word and deed. Their rhetorical style is worldly wisdom rather than the wisdom and scandal of Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 1-2). Like the Hellenistic teachers of the day, success is measured by the number of followers and the amount they are willing to pay to be taught by you.
These worldly standards show up when people evaluate ministries. Many judge a ministry on the number of people who attend, or how large the budget is. Others may evaluate them based on “signs & wonders”. Truth becomes a matter of success- and the gospel is obscured if not utterly ignored. Pastoral search committees can lapse into similar errors being more concerned with giftedness than godliness, “success” rather than faithfulness. “Success” occurs within a context, only some of what an individual controls. So the question of why they were successful is important. Were they faithful to Scripture in doctrine and practice? A minister can be faithful, but the people can reject the truth (see Isaiah 6 for instance). “Success” is made up of many things.
- Paul is slighted for not “charging” the Corinthians to hear the Gospel. He did not make use of his rights as an Apostle.
- Paul is slighted for not performing enough miracles, although the signs marking an Apostle also marked his ministry among them. He did not boast of his personal revelations to boost his “street cred”. Rather he saw God at work through the unknown thorn in his flesh to keep him humble.
- Paul is slighted for displaying the meekness and gentleness of Christ, rather than the forcefulness of human leaders. They paint him as weak.
What is interesting here is that Paul is a model of humility- refusing to play their game. He relies on God’s calling- not on a human lineage proving he is important (as if he was to be someone else’s disciple besides Jesus). But this humility does not prevent him from revealing these “super-apostles” for what they are:
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masqueradees as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve. (2 Cor. 11:13-15)
Humility, graciousness and godliness does not avoid speaking the awful reality- nor does it delight in it- that some “ministers of the gospel” actually preach a false gospel. Paul was gracious to other Christians with whom he differed on various issues. But when it comes to the gospel- there was no weakness in Paul. Nor in Jesus. He too took religious leaders to task for leading people into deception. We see this in Galatians, Philippians and the pastoral epistles.
He fears for the Corinthians, that they will be enslaved by these false messengers, and that as a result they will depart from the gospel and sin will break out in the community. (see 1 Timothy 1:8-11). Unhealthy (false) doctrine (not in keeping with the gospel) produces an unhealthy (sinful) behavior and patterns of conduct. There is much at stake.
As I blog, I sometimes wrestle over these things. When I address the books or actions of some ‘ministers’ I can sound harsh, self-righteous, mean etc. I wonder, am I being these things and betraying grace, or am I seeking to protect people from deception and danger? These are serious questions, and more people need to consider them. I don’t want a blog filled with critical messages.
But sometimes Jesus and Paul spoke harshly to preserve the message of grace. Like a parent with a child, they spoke harshly to protect others from danger. If you are in danger of driving off a cliff, I will not speak gently or quietly. The urgency of the situation requires loud, direct seemingly harsh speech.
The maturity D.A. Carson discusses in this book is one that sees the difference between areas of mere disagreement (and therefore forebearance and graciousness) and areas in which the very gospel is at stake which result in clear warnings that show how someone- despite their claims otherwise- has departed from biblical truth into deception.
I want to be known among God’s people for displaying Christ’s meekness and gentleness (I could become more meek and gentle). Paul’s gentleness did not result in wimpiness, or sacrifice of the truth. I want to take the right stands- recognizing not just different methods, but departures from biblical theology.
Here are the chapter titles:
- Orientation to 2 Corinthians 10-13
- Disobedience versus Discipline: An Appeal for Obedient Faith
- The Ugliness of Spiritual One-upmanship: How Not to Boast in the Lord
- The Danger of False Apostleship: Overturning False Criteria
- Destroying Super-Spiritual Visionaries: Boasting in Weakness
- Open Rebuke: The Failures of the Corinthians and the Motives of the Apostle
- Warning and Prayer: Aiming for Maturity
Cavman Considers 
Leave a Reply