Monday
Well, it happened to Paul, too, and some of the accusations he was facing were that he was insincere and dishonest in regards to his change of plans, his domineering attitudes and insensitivity in the letter he wrote (it is quite likely that this letter is one lost to history) and staying too long in Troas and Macedonia when he should have come to Corinth – but all of these claims are minor to the one that questions whether he is a true apostle of Jesus Christ. Apparently Paul’s enemies have really hit hard to discredit him.
So Paul in response, stresses what the role of an apostle is and how he and his associates are doing just this very thing. And what is the role of an apostle? To spread the knowledge and the love of Jesus Christ everywhere. Paul also asks the question in vs 16, “Who is adequate for such a task as this?”
The answer is only those who have been called by God, who are accountable to God, and who speak the Word of God sincerely and truthfully. Paul will go on later in this letter to point out the dangers of those who are not speaking in truth; he calls them “false apostles.” (11:13)
Paul tells us that he is speaking the truth and the way that they can know that he is authentic is the many people of Corinth that were saved. Truth is in the results.
So the question we must ask ourselves; are we adequate for the task of witnessing to others, of spreading the gospel like a “sweet aroma”?
Grace and Peace
Pastor Kathy