Our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom[a] the world has been crucified

Galatians 6:14
But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Continuing with the same verse, the focus therefore is not on ourselves. Various modern sermons tend to concentrate on how believing and submitting to Jesus will enrich our lives. This has drawn large crowds of people back to the church - which is a good result. However, to produce true life-changing experience, the account of the Cross and the story of redemption by our Lord and Saviour must never be diminished. The focus of preaching should not be merely on the people's spiritual condition, but rather on the Cross because we are commanded to preach "Yshua Massiach and Him crucified".

But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ

Galatians 6:14
But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Paul has a deep understanding of Scriptures before he came to know Christ. When he encountered the Lord, all his doctrines made complete sense especially the work of our Lord on the Cross. This sacrificial work is a stumbling block to some and foolishness to others. Yet, when we go out and preach the gospel, the preaching of the work of the Cross must not be diminished in any way. To ignore what was accomplished at the Cross is to rob the Salvation message of its power and the whole reason that our Lord came to die for our sins.

Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel

1 Corinthians 9
For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!

Paul stating that he needs to preach the gospel, almost being compelled to do so. The word 'woe' adds significant weight and urgency to it, implying that there is really no other option for him. This is not to say Paul is reluctant, on the contrary, there are many evidences of his strong willingness to do so on his part. However this also says that the Lord compelled Paul to preach the gospel, especially appearing to Him in such a fashion on the road to Damascus.

When a believer reads this and ponders, he will be asking himself, does God require all born again believers to preach the gospel, beyond giving a personal testimony about their conversion. By looking from the Bible itself, we see there are different roles including pastors, teachers, evangelists and so on. And another fact to remember is that preaching of the gospel is not the condition of our salvation. So there is no question of being saved if we believe and accept Jesus as Lord after our repentance. Another way to answer this is if one feels compelled to preach the gospel, and not out of personal gain, then that could be the calling to preach.

My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness

Paul hinted that 14 years ago, when he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, he was brought to Paradise, and he was not allowed to tell the details. He realized that he had to be very careful not to boast. Paul also mentioned that his thorn in the flesh could have been given as a reminder not to boast. Paul had prayed deeply about this thorn but God did not remove it. So Paul learned to be joyful even with this thorn and God taught Paul that His grace is sufficient.

Paul tells the Corinthians that he has always tried not to be a burden to them. He explains that he works towards their edification. He also expresses his concerns about their spiritual well-being and hopes that they don't fall away spiritually .






2 Corinthians 12
The Vision of Paradise

1 It is doubtless[a] not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. 6 For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.

The Thorn in the Flesh

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Signs of an Apostle

11 I have become a fool in boasting;[b] you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; for in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though I am nothing. 12 Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds. 13 For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong!

Love for the Church

14 Now for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. 15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.

16 But be that as it may, I did not burden you. Nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you by cunning! 17 Did I take advantage of you by any of those whom I sent to you? 18 I urged Titus, and sent our brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?

19 Again, do you think[c] that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ. But we do all things, beloved, for your edification. 20 For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults; 21 lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced.

That we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead

In this second letter to the Corinthians, Paul is with Timothy. Paul mentions the sufferings they face for the salvation of others. God provides them with comfort through their sufferings. Paul has the confidence in God that they have been delivered by Jesus. He mentions his simple and sincere life, depending upon God's wisdom to lead him. He is glad to boast about the salvation of others accomplished through Christ. Paul also mentioned his desire to visit Corinth but he submits to the will of god regarding his plans.



2 Corinthians 1
Greeting

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

To the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia:

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Comfort in Suffering

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. 6 Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 7 And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.

Delivered from Suffering

8 For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. 9 Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, 10 who delivered us from so great a death, and does[a] deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us, 11 you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our[b] behalf for the gift granted to us through many.

Paul’s Sincerity

12 For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you. 13 For we are not writing any other things to you than what you read or understand. Now I trust you will understand, even to the end 14 (as also you have understood us in part), that we are your boast as you also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus.

Sparing the Church

15 And in this confidence I intended to come to you before, that you might have a second benefit— 16 to pass by way of you to Macedonia, to come again from Macedonia to you, and be helped by you on my way to Judea. 17 Therefore, when I was planning this, did I do it lightly? Or the things I plan, do I plan according to the flesh, that with me there should be Yes, Yes, and No, No? 18 But as God is faithful, our word to you was not Yes and No. 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me, Silvanus, and Timothy—was not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes. 20 For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. 21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, 22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

23 Moreover I call God as witness against my soul, that to spare you I came no more to Corinth. 24 Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand.