Paul vs the ‘super-apostles’ part 1: What’s under the costume?
by Pastor Stephen Abraham
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I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:3).
As a comic book superhero fan, I couldn’t resist this title as Paul calls the silver-tongued preachers leading the Corinthian church astray ‘super-apostles’. But as amusing as that sounds, this battle has serious, eternal consequences.
I’ve always loved and admired great orators who can command a stage. From Barack Obama’s ‘Yes We Can’ speech and Martin Luther King’s ‘I Have a Dream’ to gifted Christian speakers, my seminary lecturers and my favourite theologians. But the danger for everyone (including myself) is when we get swept up in the ‘cult of personality’, the magic of a gifted orator whose words we take on board uncritically just because of that gift.
Nowadays, I’ve found myself motivated to ‘take a step back’ mindfully in the heat of the moment, to passively observe and ask the question ‘what is fact and what is personal opinion?’ And sometimes I’ve realised that what was being said was obvious and nothing revolutionary, despite the commanding performance. At other times, it’s a brilliant truth highlighted by great delivery. Still others, an excellent delivery, but patently incorrect.
Unfortunately for the context in today’s reading, the faithful at Corinth were being deceived just as the first humans were in the garden, giving ear to a convincing speaker with bad teaching! Paul raises the alarm at the danger of being seduced by teachings that distort the true gospel and lead believers away from ‘sincere and pure devotion to Christ’.
In chapter 10, Paul addresses the murmurs against his humble ministry, that he is ‘all bark’ in his letters but ‘no bite’ and unimpressive in person.
Today’s text reminds us that devotion to Christ isn’t about appearances, eloquence or perceived ‘spiritual power’. It’s about faithfulness to the gospel. Like the Corinthians, we too can be vulnerable to subtle distortions where Christ is mentioned. However, the message is no longer truly his.
Lord God, protect our hearts from deception and untruths. Holy Spirit, help us stay grounded in the truth of Christ crucified, and give us discernment to recognise what is false. May our devotion to you remain pure and undivided. Amen.
Stephen Abraham is a retired Lutheran pastor and musician who served as a school pastor and church planter in Mawson Lakes, South Australia. Having to retire due to a spinal injury that leaves him largely housebound with chronic pain, Stephen still preaches, takes chapel and serves his local church and school. He also writes and records personal songs, worship songs and Christian meditations, which he shares on his YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/StephenAbrahamMusic
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