Post-feast of the Transfiguration; Holy Martyrs Photius and Anicetas (284-305)
Dormition Fast. Abstention from meat and foods that contain meat.
2 Corinthians 1:12-20; Matthew 22:23-33
Read 2 Corinthians 1:12-20
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
False apostles were present and spreading their teachings among the early Christian communities. St. Paul warns that “if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!” (2 Cor. 11:4). These false teachers belittled Paul and undermined his authority while they exalted themselves. In the following verse Paul admits, “I consider that I am not at all inferior to the most eminent apostles. Even though I am untrained in speech, yet I am not in knowledge. But we have been thoroughly manifest among you in all things” (2 Cor. 11:5). These false teachers would boast about their qualities while distorting the gospel spread by the true apostles.
Paul mentions “boasting” multiple times throughout his second letter to the Corinthians. In today’s reading, he speaks of what he and Timothy may boast of: “the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you” (2 Cor. 1:12). Paul, being “untrained in speech,” could not speak with the same sophistication as others. However, he still possessed both truth and love. He could live his life “in simplicity and godly sincerity.” He did not need to be able to boast of great, marvelous things to prove that he is an authentic apostle spreading the true gospel. His authority does not come from any of his characteristics but rather from the fact that the Lord gave it to him (2 Cor. 10:8). Unlike the false apostles who boast of their strengths to testify to their credibility, Paul boasts in his infirmities (2 Cor. 12:9).
Let us remember that it is more important to be accepted by God than by other people. When God calls us to perform certain ministries in our lifetimes, it is important to remember that we do it for His sake and His glory and in spite of our weaknesses and unworthiness. Let us remember Christ’s response to Paul when Paul pleaded to Him that his “thorn in the flesh” be taken away from him: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9).