This is a beautiful statement about what Paul saw as his purpose in life. He planted the church in Corinth and led many of them to faith in Christ. Many volunteered, gave of their time, talents and treasures in their true belief. As a result, Paul thought of himself as a “spiritual father” to them. He wrote that he would not take money from them for his personal needs because parents ought to provide for their Small Children, not the other way around. Paul would gladly “spend and be spent for [their] souls.” Paul saw his life as a resource belonging to God, available to be used up or distributed in order to save and nourish the souls of others. It was more than a mission, though. Paul gladly did so because he loved the Corinthians. He had genuine affection for them.
In this verse it reads: “And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.”
(2 Corinthians 12:15)
It reads in 2 Corinthians 11:21 I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit in whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also. Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
It reads in 2 Corinthians 1:21-23:
Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. I call God as my witness—and I stake my life on it—that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth.
In this passage “2 Corinthians 11:21” of scripture, Paul announced earlier in this section that he would “boast” as his opponents, the false apostles in Corinth, would brag to glorify themselves. Paul’s “boasting,” though, has consisted only of listing ways in which he has suffered in his mission to bring the gospel to people around the world. His intent is to sarcastically mock the false apostles and even then his words are not self-promoting. Since Corinthian culture valued strength and success above all, Paul’s boasting likely came across as very strange or as a mockery of true boasting. Paul clarifies what he has been doing. If he is going to boast, Paul writes, he will boast only of things that show how weak he really is. This may have been the exact opposite of what the Corinthian believers were hoping to hear. They want an apostle who, like the lying teachers living near them, appears strong and capable and confident in himself. Instead, Paul is describing all the ways he is weak. This is meant to show how strong God is through him. In the Corinthian terms, suffering for any reason was a sign of weakness. In Christian terms, suffering is one of the ways believers identify with Christ and learn to grow in their dependence on him. Their testimonies help them to overcome and also show God’s favor and light in their lives to others finding their way in Christ.
It reads in 2 Corinthians 12:8-10:
For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 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.
Good way to really know “I besought the Lord” That is, Christ, as the next verse absolutely proves, and the Socinians ( a supporter of the beliefs of Faustus and Laelius Socinus, who rejected such traditional Christian doctrines as the divinity of Christ, the Trinity, and original sin, and held that those who follow Christ’s virtues will be granted salvation.) themselves confess. If Christ be an object of prayer in such a case as this, or indeed in any case, it is a sure proof of his divinity; for only an omniscient Being can be made an object of prayer. An to Jesus Christ we overcome and believe for others a plea to God not only for protection from one’s enemies, but also from temptation to sin. To see what awesome work does in a believers life is awesome. Just saying.
{Let’s Pray}
Father God, I thank You and praise You for Your great goodness, and I thank You and praise You that Your grace is sufficient to bring me through whatever difficulties, dangers, persecution, or pain that I may suffer. I thank You for all Your healing and encouragement through the years through others prayers and my own. That You are with us always keeps me confident and bold. Let’s others who are hurting today feel Your presence in their heart and soul and bless them. I thank You and praise You for the wonderful testimony and teachings of Paul and the truths that have become mine, by faith in Christ. I am believing to finish the course You have prepared for me to do, and help me to be ready and willing to participate in the suffering of Christ as I pray and believe the best Holy outcome for others as they overcome and believe in You also. I love You, thank You, praise You and give You all the honor and glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen.
{Power Verse}
But my eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign Lord; in you I take refuge, do not give me over to death. Psalm 141:8
"Only Life Changes" 