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Daily Devotions

2 Corinthians

2 Corinthians 
Day 
Day 149

"Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly-"

Text: 2 Corinthians 11:1

ASKING FOR UNDERSTANDING

Paul was conscious that what he was about to do was not in character. He was not given to speaking much about himself, except when it might encourage and enlighten people.

“Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly-
and indeed you do bear with me.
For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy.
For I have betrothed you to one husband,
that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.”
2 Corinthians 11:1-2

1. “Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly”

a) The “little folly”

i) Paul was speaking of his achievements.

ii) Ordinarily, he would rather write on spiritual or doctrinal matters.

b) “Bear with me”

i) Paul appreciated the understanding shown by the Corinthians.

ii) On the personal level, he saw it as “a little folly”.

2. “For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy”

a) Jealous could have been better translated “zealous”.

b) The English word “zealous” comes from the Greek- “zelo” (zeal)

c) Godly zeal was what Paul felt.

3. The imagery of a betrothal

a) Paul saw the church as the bride of Christ.

b) His role was to present the church as a chaste virgin to Christ.

THE IMAGERY OF MARRIAGE

Paul used the imagery of marriage in his epistle to the Ephesians (Ephesians 5:22-33). Though this text gives very strong and clear guidelines about the husband-wife relationship, Paul wrote:

“This is a great mystery, but I speak
concerning Christ and the church.”
Ephesians 5:32

1. The role of Christ was well-described (Ephesians 5:25-27).

2. The role of the wife was also highlighted (Ephesians 5:24, 33).

3. In application to the Church:

a) She is to love the Lord.

b) She is to submit to the Saviour.

c) She is to give due respect to the Master.