If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness

2 Corinthians 11:16-33

I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool. But if you do, then tolerate me just as you would a fool, so that I may do a little boasting. In this self-confident boasting I am not talking as the Lord would, but as a fool. Since many are boasting in the way the world does, I too will boast.  You gladly put up with fools since you are so wise! In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or puts on airs or slaps you in the face. To my shame I admit that we were too weak for that!

Whatever anyone else dares to boast about—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast about. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.

Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?

If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying. 

Apostleship does not consist of oratory and lording it over the church. Paul is not lacking in any of the qualities of true apostleship. As for earning his own living, he was concerned that no one should think him a sponsor and anxious not to burden them.

Why?

Compare the identity or world value Paul can boast than any other apostle. He suffered even more than others, Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? Paul explained his suffering for Christ, no one like Paul has done.

If he must boast, boast of the things that show my weakness. Even no one knows the God and father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that he is not lying.

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保羅成為使徒所受的苦難，為弟兄姊妹的事辛勞，擔心的苦，在外邦地被迫害，而且能喜樂的在服事。看一個基督徒的能力不是看他講道、看他教會多大，而是看他如何面對他的遭遇，心中的己太強的人就會去講自己的功勞、成果……從他所受的苦難在證明他是耶穌的使徒，耶穌和保羅都不提自己做了多少事。由所做的事神是否記念來看。真正基督的僕人不會誇口，如保羅。

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How?

How great Paul has done for the Lord, no one can compare with Paul, Paul is our example to learn.