Verses 17-18
In summary, Paul purposed not to take credit for (boast in) what others had accomplished in their service for Christ. He could not even boast about what he had accomplished since it was God who was at work through him. His only boast therefore would be the Lord. That is, he would be proud only of his Lord. He quoted Jeremiah who expressed this thought well (Jeremiah 9:24; cf. 1 Corinthians 1:31). The only commendation worth anything is the work that God has done through His servants, not their words. This is His commendation of them (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:9).
"In the Christian church, indeed, self-commendation should be viewed with suspicion as a mark of disqualification. God’s commendation of a person is shown, not by verbal boasts, but by the testimony of the consciences of those who have experienced the blessing attendant upon that person’s labours and by the continuing and increasing fruits of his labours (cf. 2 Corinthians 4:2, 2 Corinthians 5:11)." [Note: Hughes, p. 371.]
In this chapter the contrast between Paul’s view of ministry and his critics’ view stands out clearly. They had different motives, different authority, different loyalties, different objectives, and different procedures. In all these contrasts Paul emerges as the truly Spirit-led apostle.
"If there is currently a temptation to import models of ministry from management, the social sciences, or academia, the New Testament sources indicate the inadequacy of all nonbiblical models." [Note: James W. Thompson, "Ministry in the New Testament," Restoration Quarterly 27:3 (Third Quarter 1984):156.]
"The import of this passage is threefold. First, Paul establishes that the spreading of the gospel is the priority of Christian ministry. In Paul’s case this meant the mission to the Gentiles to which he was called by God on the road to Damascus, as recognized by the missionary concordat of Jerusalem c. A.D. 47. Second, because the existence of another mission-that to the Jews-brought its own complications and tensions, accepted principles of cooperation were needed, as they continue to be in comparable situations. Third, self-commendation in Christian ministry is excluded. The Lord commends his servants for ministry by the fruits of their ministry." [Note: Barnett, pp. 493-94.]
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