Paul Defends His Ministry

Have you ever had a time when you felt you were unjustly being accused of wrongdoing when you had done nothing wrong? Our response in those moments says a lot about our maturity in Christ. Sometimes, we respond in anger and bitterness, lashing back at our critics. Other times, we feel defeated and retreat in pain and hurt. I know, I’ve done both of those things when faced with criticism and false accusations. But how does God want us to respond? We see an excellent example in the life of the Apostle Paul.

Read 2 Corinthians 11:5-15

The Corinthian church was giving Paul a hard time. They were accustomed to the speaking of the Sophists, distinguished men of Corinth who debated and used speech to demonstrate their knowledge and power. The Sophists typically were paid to speak, and when Paul didn’t accept the church’s money, they thought less of him. But Paul’s response was that he had done nothing wrong. It is plain that Paul was not pleased with the Corinthian’s line of thinking. However, he didn’t respond in bitterness. Paul rightfully defends his actions. Paul is fully aware that it is within his right as a preacher of the Word to be supported by the church he is ministering to. In 1 Cor 9:14 he wrote, “In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.” Paul however relinquished that right to take from the Corinthian church. Paul is defending his reasons for turning down the support because he had adequate support already, and also to show that those who were preaching and teaching for selfish gain were not servants of Christ. Read 2 Cor 11:12-15 again.

So what for us? How do we respond when falsely accused? Paul’s grounds for his defense were rooted in the fact that God was the one who judged Him. And Paul was confident that God knew his heart, that he was doing the right thing. In 2 Cor 11:10-11 he writes, “As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia. And why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!” Paul could defend his ministry without bitterness because he ultimately knew that it was God who judged him. Take a moment to reflect on the moments in your life when you feel wrongfully accused. Surrender those to God who is the judge. In 1 Peter 2:23 we have the perfect example of how to do this: Jesus.

When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.