Occasion to Glory 2 Corinthians 5:12

Paul the apostle shared with the Corinthian church members how, “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God;”. Paul trusted this was “made manifest” in the “consciences” of the church members, and in chapter five and verse twelve of Second Corinthians, Paul told the church members he and his companions, “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ” where we read:

For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that you may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.

The verse begins, “For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf,...” Paul began with the word, “for” which means “even as, indeed, seeing then, no doubt, verily and therefore” “we commend” or “show, prove, establish and exhibit” “not ourselves” which means “not Paul and his companions” “again” or “anew, further or moreover” “unto you” which refers to “to the church members”, “but” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just stated “give you” or “grant, bestow, extend and present to the church members” “occasion” which means “a starting point or opportunity” “to glory” or “boast” “on our behalf” which means “for Paul and his companions' sake”. Paul and his companions did not have to “prove or establish” themselves with the church members anew, but rather gave the church members an “opportunity” to “boast” about them.

The verse goes on to say, “that you may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.”. Paul continued with the words, “that you may have somewhat to” which means “that the church members would have an advantage near, towards and with regard to” “answer them which glory” or “to respond to people who boast, have joy and rejoice” “in appearance” which refers to “in their countenance, look, outward circumstances and external condition”, “and not in heart” or “and not in their soul or mind as it is the fountain and seat of the the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes and endeavors”. Paul and his companions commended themselves to the Corinthians so they would be able to respond to others who boasted only in their outward “appearance” and circumstances.

When we meditate upon these words of Paul, we see how important it was for the church members to have he and his companions “manifested” to them. This gave the church members opportunities to “glory” in their relationship which led to Jesus Christ, and that is a matter of “the heart”. These writings of Paul give us an “opportunity” “to answer them which glory in “appearance, and not in heart”, and those who are wise shall not only begin a relationship with Jesus, but will study and learn His word that other may see their “occasion to glory”.

Next time Paul has the church members consider, “whether we be beside ourselves”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then,

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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