(2Co 12:20) “For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:”  These sinful practices are matters of self-will instead of God directed. Love for self is at the heart of most conflicts. Our hearts are to be aimed towards love for the Lord directed to include love for others first.

(2Co 12:19) “Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.”  “Excuse”: Plead for self as if guilty of wrong. The answer is a firm “no”. What has been stated is not excuse, but truth. It’s only purpose given is for their spiritual good. The Holy Spirit is not having Paul lift up self, but instead hold forth truth (fact) for their good, not necessarily Paul’s.

(Co 12:17) “Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you? (18) I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?”  A pastor or missionary has to have resources to live in this world. Yet, Paul and staff are trusting the Lord Who said, (Mat_6:33) “ But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” 

(2Co 12:16) “But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.”  Remember: false prophets have come promoting self, and as such were embraced by God’s people, giving them financial support and esteem. Paul is saying, “I did none of those things. Apparently if I had I would be embraced and held forth as your spiritual father.” Instead, I caught you (your souls), as it were by what is not being held up by them – guile. In what way? Simply by the preaching of the gospel.

(2Co 12:15) “And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.”  We mistakenly believe that love will always be reciprocated in kind. Not so. We are to love our neighbor as ourselves, not because it will be rewarded in kind, but because God so commands us to do so.

(2Co 12:14) “Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.”  Notice how wisely these words are used. He did not change his position of support, but gave two reasons: one, he wasn’t after physical gain, just spiritual fruit; and two, he was their spiritual father.

(2Co 12:13) “For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.”  Point: Maybe they would have placed a higher esteem of Paul’s person if they had been asked to invest in his welfare. I have heard of those who tried to give kittens away. Nobody wanted them. Then they asked for five dollars each. They sold all.

(2Co 12:11) “I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.”  The Holy Spirit was not seeking to uplift Paul (I be nothing) but the hand of God upon Him as the next verse reveals: (2Co 12:12) “Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.”  

 (2 Cor 12:10) “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”   So, Paul held onto that message from God, “ my strength is made perfect in weakness.”, desiring so much to be used of Him that he could literally say, “I take pleasure’ in these different ways of suffering.”  How great is the desire to be used of God in you?

(2Co 12:9) And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. (10)  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”  Consider each of those things listed. They each require a person look up, pray, and then wait for the Lord to act. It’s not to say the person sits and does nothing. But the purpose is to keep one walking with and dependent upon the Lord – His power, ability, and not our own.