Useful Bible Studies > 2 Corinthians Commentary > chapter 10
People often imagine themselves to be better people than they really are. That is why people boast (speak proud words). They consider themselves good, or great, and they want everyone else to think that about them, too.
In reality, that is a very foolish way to think about your life. God made you, and you are responsible to him. He is the judge of everything that you do. God alone has the right to decide whether your life pleases him or not.
In the Bible, God has clearly declared what his standards are*. However, although his standards are perfect*, people are not perfect*. Everyone fails his test*. Therefore we cannot have a relationship with God because of our own goodness, but only because of God’s goodness*. That is why Christ died for us*. We must confess our evil deeds to God, and we must invite Christ into our lives*.
For that reason, we must be humble and not proud in front of God. Paul understood very well that he did not deserve to be a church leader* or even a Christian*. Every good thing that he had achieved was because of the work of God in his life. Christ was living in him* – therefore Paul could serve God in the manner that pleased God*.
That was very different from the attitude of the teachers who were trying to gain authority in the church at Corinth. They were constantly looking for opportunities to tell people how great and important they were. These wrong ideas affected their beliefs, too. They did not agree with Paul about the importance of Jesus and his death*.
Next part: Was Paul foolish? (11:1)
* See complete article for these Bible references.
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© 2016, Keith Simons.