What's on your Resume?

Read 2 Corinthians 3.

The Apostle Paul had zero tolerance for false teachers.  If they attacked him, his ministry, or the message, the Holy Spirit would guide him in a forceful response every time.  Evidently, some such person(s) had influenced the Corinthian church and questioned what Paul was doing.

In 2:17, Paul began his response by indicating that he is not like those challengers who were "peddlers of God's word."  False teachers looked only to profit from these believers.  Many times, Paul had to work to support himself.  Yet, most often he depended upon the prayers and financial generosity of those to whom he ministered.  And, frequently their support lagged.

It does not require much to read between the lines in this chapter to understand the personal attacks that had been launched against him.  These same responses should be for any believer who is serving Christ.

1. His Commendations. (vv.1-3)
Paul was highly educated and trained.  After his conversion to Christ, he joined the local church in Antioch, Syria.  It was this congregation that sent him on his missionary journeys.  He could have mentioned such qualifications and more, but instead, he pointed to the results of his ministry.  The many lives in Corinth, who had been eternally changed, substantiated the veracity of his ministry far more than pieces of paper ever could.

2. His Competence. (vv.4-6)
There is no doubt about the boldness of Paul.  Was this because he was a type A personality?  Was he behaving in an arrogant manner toward the Corinthians?  No.  One who has personally experienced new life in Christ and believes in the absolute truthfulness of the word of God develops an unusual confidence.  Preachers and teachers of God's word may speak with authority.  Where does this come from?  "Such is the confidence we have through Christ toward God..." (v.4)  "Since we have such a hope, we are very bold" (v.12).  But this is not self-confidence.  Nor is this the power of a dynamic personage.  Paul asked in 2:16b, "Who is sufficient for such things?"  And, in this paragraph, he explained that our sufficiency to communicate the word of God and serve with such confidence comes not from ourselves but "our sufficiency is from God."  Without dependency upon the power of the Holy Spirit, all ministry efforts will be so much empty religion.

3. His Communication. (vv.7-18)
Apparently, the false teachers were telling the Corinthian believers that they needed to obey the Old Testament Law.  After all, is not that the word of God?  Paul presented a defense of contrasts that is unmistakably clear.  The old covenant is called the law of death ("For the letter kills") because the Law only condemned and covered sin.  The new covenant in Christ "gives life."  The old covenant has been "brought to an end" (v.7), "has come to no glory at all" (v.10), and "brought to an end" (v.11a).  The new covenant has brought more glory, "permanent glory" (v.11b).  Therefore, believers in Jesus with sins forgiven have life, hope and freedom (v17).