Paul’s Defense

[전승훈2]

Summary:
Paul asks the Corinthians to patiently tolerate what he calls his “foolishness,” because his concern for them is intense and protective. He describes himself as jealous for them in a godly way, explaining that he has “betrothed” them to one husband—Christ—and has been working to present them to Christ as a pure bride. But he is anxious that, just as the serpent deceived Eve through cunning, their minds might be led away from simple, sincere devotion to Christ. He warns that they have shown a readiness to accept someone who comes preaching a different Jesus than the one they first received, or to welcome a different spirit and a different gospel—changes that, in his view, put them in real spiritual danger.
 
Teaching:
Here, “tolerate” means “please bear with me” or “please endure with patience.” When Paul says he is speaking with the heart of Christ, he is trying to show his sincerity—his genuine motive. Paul’s zeal is focused on bringing the holy people of God to Jesus, so that they may become the bride of Christ.

God’s zeal was revealed through Jesus. During His earthly life, He worked with true earnestness and devotion. We need to recognize God’s zeal toward us—Christ’s zeal for us—and those who teach the Word must also carry this kind of godly zeal.

So read the Scriptures diligently. Listen carefully to what I say, and read carefully what I write. Otherwise, the church will become filled with a different gospel and different messages. They may sound acceptable to the ear, but they have no power of the gospel, and they bear no fruit. When there is no fruit, the church begins to die.
We must receive only the Lord’s gospel, and we must stay awake and discerning so that we can recognize other gospels and drive them out.


Excerpt from the sermon by Pastor Lee, Jan 27, 2026
2 Corinthians 11:5-9