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"Let no one think me a fool"

Text: 2 Corinthians 11:16

BATTLING DEVIOUS ATTACKS

Many were the attacks made against the Apostle Paul. One of the things that Paul felt he had to battle was the suggestion that Paul was a fool. Two things could have been hurled against Paul.

1. He did not receive support from the Corinthians.

2. He did not boast about himself or his works.

There came a time when Paul felt that he must answer these fallacious and rude remarks made against him.

“I say again, let no one think me a fool.
If otherwise, at least receive me as a fool,
that I also may boast a little.
What I speak, I speak not according to the Lord,
but as it were, foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.”
2 Corinthians 11:16-17

1. “I say again, let no one think me a fool”

a) This was not the first time Paul had to address this problem.

b) His writings would have been proof that he was no fool!

2. “If otherwise, at least receive me as a fool, that I also may boast a little”

a) Paul knew that it was hard to change people’s minds.

b) But if boasting would help, he would comply.

c) But Paul felt a little foolish to go about boasting.

3. “What I speak, I speak not according to the Lord”

a) This was an important disclaimer that Paul had to make.

b) He had no direct word from the Lord concerning this matter.

i) There was no leading from the Lord.

ii) But neither was there forbidding from Him.

c) Paul was allowed to use his discretion as to what he would share.

4. “But as it were, foolishly, in this confidence of boasting”

a) Boasting is a foolish thing to do.

b) Some people felt confident about boasting.

c) If anyone had something to boast about, Paul would be a prime candidate.

d) Yet, Paul had to openly declare that he would “boast”.

i) Unwillingly

ii) Feeling foolish about it