2 Corinthians 12a

2 Corinthians 12 v1 – “I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it,…” Paul continues showing the futility of the standards that people use to assess credibility. Several of my colleagues have photographs in their offices of important people they have met.  My kids’ photo albums have copies of newspaper articles they have featured in.  We drop names in our conversation and talk about where we have been and the importance of the meetings we attend.  We gain stature by being seen in the right places with the right people. Paul can one-up all of us in this game – he has seen heaven and conversed with the creator.  How cool is that!  Not much.  To make sure that Paul does not get big headed about it he is afflicted with something he does not enjoy.  When he whines about it, he is told that his relationship with God is more important.  He reiterates to the Corinthians that all his actions, his sacrifices, his work, his ignoring social mores, his freedom from their support are because he considers them to be his children.  As such he is deeply concerned that they are headed in the wrong direction, and is dreading the disappointment they are likely to inflict on him. Once again, it is not about Paul, but about pointing underserving people toward God. Now that is something to be impressed about.