Author: Rev. Lek Aik Wee

2 Corinthians 10:8 For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:

The goal of the Apostle Paul’s ministry was to edify the saints. His purpose was to build them up in the faith and not to tear them down. He declared unequivocally his inner motive so as to clarify beyond doubt. It was an honourable objective of ministry. He would preach the gospel and for the souls that were saved, he would take time to nurture them in the faith.

It was well recorded by Luke to confirming the Apostle Paul’s words here in Acts 14:21-23 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

2 Corinthians 10:7 Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ’s, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ’s, even so are we Christ’s.

The Apostle Paul has to explain that no one has an exclusive claim on Christ. [MacDonald] He belongs to the Lord Jesus as truly as the others whom he was referring. Although his outward demeanour may appear weak and his speech far from eloquent, he too belongs to Christ and does the work of Christ. As such, he bade the Corinthian church to look at the facts, the fruit of the work that has begun in Corinth. His apostleship was from Christ. It was the Lord who called him to service. Even so, the team that was with him in the work.

He was engaging the church in Corinth to look at the fruit of his ministry before he and his team would be dismissed as less than authentic servants of God.