In 2 Corinthians 11:16-33 Paul smacks pride in the face. He keeps saying, “If I boast…I speak like a fool…I am a madman!” In Verse 17 he even explains that for him to brag about himself is not speaking on the Lord’s behalf, but it is as if he is speaking like a fool. He knows for him to try and prove himself to the Corinthian people is down-right thoughtless. God is the only one that Paul, or any of us, should boast in, for God alone has given us true life. Our accomplishments are nothing compared to the greatness of God’s grace.
Nonetheless, Paul goes on to say, “Look, if anyone should be able to brag about themselves—then I for sure qualify!” His point is to show the Corinthian people that he too could display lots of credentials like the false apostles were doing. You can tell that Paul is having a hard time even bragging on himself – he keeps calling it foolishness! After listing a few things off, he asks rhetorically, “But what good is that? How does one man’s accomplishments, bloodline, or great feats prove that they are right…or even godly?”
Paul concludes: God must be our only boast. If we are going to be “prideful” about anything it should be about what God is doing to make Himself known. Not what He is doing so that we can be known. So answer these questions for yourself today:
What are the accomplishments or things in my life that I seem to tell people about so that they will accept me more?
How can I turn these things into a way of boasting about God and His greatness?
My prayer is that we will be a group of believers dedicated to living out the gospel by quickly sacrificing our own pride for God’s glory – just as Christ did for us.
