Genuine, Spiritual God-Appointed Authority

Paul finishes the second letter of Corinthians with the goal of protecting the purity of the church, allowing the church to understand what divine authority is, and what divine authority is supposed to do.

We are to protect the purity of the church by:

• Staying focused on the Word of God, the Bible, as it is the cleansing agent for the church (Ephesians 5).
• Pursuing gospel relationships with Christ-like integrity in our own community through the natural rhythms of our lives.
• Maintaining the unity produced by the Spirit of God in our church body through biblical communication (Ephesians 4).
• Preserving a gospel testimony within our community by worshipping with integrity in a public fashion to the glory of God in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1).
• Striving to grow in Christlikeness and in holiness, not falling into worldliness. This is accomplished by devoting ourselves to the Lord, studying the Word in our homes, and through spiritual discipling relationships around the Word with others in our church body.

The church maintains its purity as she properly knows and understands biblical authority within the assembly of gathered saints.

Falsehood Diminishes Biblical Authority

Falsehood attacks the nature and diminishes the value of biblical authority in the church. For Paul, if falsehood could be successful undermining his testimony and reputation without biblical rationale, then the very confidence the Corinthians had experienced in the gospel when they first heard it would be threatened. Gospel progress would be hindered.

So, Paul passionately restates his place in their lives by clearly reminding them of his authority: by the gospel he had in their lives at the first visit (Acts 18). He sought to settle their hearts by reminding them of not just his ministry to them but also his own personal testimony. If falsehood could undermine the testimony and character of Paul, then what value could the gospel message have had in the first place?

Paul desired to remain spiritually attached to those Christians in Corinth whom he had personally seen come to know the Lord. Falsehood would destroy the gospel relationship between Paul and the Corinthian church. Paul had biblical authority to confront the horrible direction of falsehood, and at the same time, protect the flock at Corinth.

Establishing What Biblical Authority Is and Does

How does Paul demonstrate his God-given authority in a letter to a people whom he had not visited in some time? He had been with them twice and mentions a coming third visit (2 Corinthians 12:14, 13:1). Because much had happened since his last visit, Paul wants to make clear to the Corinthians what biblical authority is and what it does for the gospel’s sake.

Paul’s attackers tried to demonstrate that Paul was uninfluential because of his physical weakness. Would someone with so much authority and power suffer as Paul had suffered (2 Cor. 11)? Paul responds that he is weak for Christ’s sake. They questioned his Jewish pedigree, trying to undermine his birthright (2 Corinthians 11:21-22), and criticized his lack of power since Paul did not charge people money to hear his message. Paul explains how he did not want to be a burden to them and would never charge them anything to hear the message of Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

Many have come from church backgrounds where authority was somewhat abusive. This abusive authority often discredits Christianity. Just because some call themselves Christians does not mean they really are. Paul wants to set the record straight for what genuine authority really is and what it really does, as this is the position and disposition Christ would have had himself.

Genuine Gospel Authority Longs for Salvation and Growth in Saints

First, genuine gospel authority longs for the salvation and growth in holiness of saints in local churches.

Paul sought out the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 12:14). This is the genuine heartbeat of any spiritual authority: the spiritual and personal well-being of the souls to whom the gospel is ministered. True, unfeigned authority never wants to be served. It only wants to serve and give the best for the spiritual salvation and protection of God’s people, purposing to shepherd the flock unto spiritual health and gospel progress. 2 Corinthians 12:19-21 explains what Paul meant in verse 14, that he sought them. Paul was not defending himself. In the sight of God, he was speaking the gospel to them in Christ and all for their upbuilding. In true spiritual authority, the attention is not on the authority but on the ones being shepherded, for their spiritual growth, allowing Christ to be formed in them (Galatians 4:19).

2 Corinthians 12:20-21 lists the vices we can expect to see when we are influenced by unbelief. This is the opposite of growth in Christlikeness. Paul knew if Christ and the gospel were no longer the center of attention among the Corinthians, then the lives of those in the church would demonstrate the absence of divine change. True gospel authority longs to have Christ and the change that only God’s grace can bring in Him as the center of attention in the local church.

Genuine Gospel Authority Deflects Notoriety and Fame

Second, genuine gospel authority deflects notoriety and fame, focusing on spiritual growth and progress in the church.

Paul had been given visions and revelations of Scripture and Paradise (2 Corinthians 12). He admits to feeling tempted to pride because of what the Lord had allowed him to see and receive. So, the Lord gave him a thorn in the flesh. Paul responds that for Christ’s sake, when he is weak, then he is strong (2 Corinthians 12:6, 12:10). Paul has seen Heaven, been given revelation, and was likened to the most eminent apostles in miracles, signs, and wonders (2 Corinthians 12:11-13). Paul should have been commended by the Corinthians. He could have exalted himself, but instead Paul thanks God for the grace to persevere with the thorn given him. Paul was humbled by this thorn, deflecting the potential fame, notoriety, and attention brought to himself. He came to the Corinthians to preach Christ and Him crucified only (1 Corinthians 2:1-5, John 3:30).

Genuine Gospel Authority Embraces a Godly Team Effort

Third, genuine gospel authority embraces a godly team effort in doing local church ministry.

True and genuine spiritual leadership never wants to be an island unto themselves. Paul knew that genuine gospel progress would be hard, unpopular, and afflicted. He knew he would need help and interdependent encouragement. Paul found this help and encouragement in many gospel partners, as he names over one hundred people total at the end of his letters in the New Testament. In 2 Corinthians 12:18, Paul mentions Titus, who is personally valuable and helpful to him. Leadership needs to embrace this truth: without spiritual interdependency with one another, the temptation will be toward unethical behavior and untimely spiritual discouragement. Paul models throughout his writing and his own life the spiritual transparency necessary for him to avoid his own spiritual shipwreck.

Every believer should own these three aspects of genuine gospel authority, both positionally and dispositionally, to ensure Christ remains our centerpiece. True spiritual authority is about gospel progress.

Application Points

• Are you carefully studying God’s Word so you will recognize false doctrine? Have you committed to studying God’s Word with another believer in a discipleship relationship?
• Do you seek to lead others toward salvation and spiritual growth more than exalting your own platform?
• Are you embracing a godly team effort in doing local church ministry?
• Are you deflecting notoriety and fame, focusing on spiritual growth and gospel progress?

Tools for Further Study

Cross References to Explore

• Acts 7:38, Romans 3:2, Hebrews 4:12 – Word of God
• 1 Corinthians 3, 1 Peter 2, 2 Peter 1 – Spiritual Growth
• 1 John 4, 2 John, 1 Timothy 1, 2 Peter 2 – False Doctrine