Footsteps #198

Predators in the church are not just a 21st-century phenomenon. Read 2Cor.10:12-11:31. Here the predators are spiritual, and Paul confronts them with no restraint. Spiritual predators are usually in a position of leadership and control. While exposing these ‘false apostles’, he at the same time describes the marks of a true shepherd of God’s people. False shepherds are dangerous because they measure success by humanistic standards. (Read 10:12,17-18) These false teachers used the standards of the world. They had bloated egos and were full of self-commendation. Paul responds to that in Vs13-14. Then declares his conscience to be clear in vs17-18 (he quotes Jer.9:23-24 here. It is a mighty passage to read). Paul did not have a “Bible with him, they were memorized scriptures. What matters most to the Lord is not that spiritual leaders can outshine their peers but whether they know God and receive the approval of the Almighty. 

These ‘super apostles’ (Paul’s taunt) take credit for work done by others (vs14-16). Paul came to Corinth as a missionary. He founded a church, discipled the people, appointed elders, and then moved on to other cities to do the same thing. He was a pioneer, always trying to reach the unreached. In contrast, however, these false teachers had come into an already established church and tried to move it away from its foundation and turn it toward a new paradigm, toward something more relevant and acceptable to contemporary Greek society. They bragged about the wonderful job they were doing when as a matter of fact they hadn’t done anything to establish this church; in fact, they were in the process of destroying what Paul had started. Meanwhile, Paul has a great desire to take the Gospel to the regions beyond–to western Europe and Spain. The spread of the Gospel mattered far more to him than maximizing his own reputation. Spiritual predators rarely start churches or launch ministries to unreached people groups. They are far more likely to try gaining a foothold in a ministry started by someone else and then change it into what they want it to be. Spiritual predators are also dangerous because they are doctrinal adulterers. (11:1-4).