The Fourth Sunday of Advent (NT)

2 Corinthians 12:11-21

¹¹ I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing. ¹² The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works. ¹³ For in what were you less favored than the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!

¹⁴ Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. ¹⁵ I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less? ¹⁶ But granting that I myself did not burden you, I was crafty, you say, and got the better of you by deceit. ¹⁷ Did I take advantage of you through any of those whom I sent to you? ¹⁸ I urged Titus to go, and sent the brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not act in the same spirit? Did we not take the same steps?

¹⁹ Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and all for your upbuilding, beloved. ²⁰ For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. ²¹ I fear that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced.

What in the world is a Super-Apostle? This is a special or outstanding Apostle, like St Peter who healed people with his shadow. St Paul has claimed that “the signs of a true apostle” is done by the performance of miracles. St Paul has raised people from the dead. St Paul has suffered and been healed. St Paul has even cast out demons. But even as St Paul claims to be nothing, he is not inferior in miracles.

I often wonder if we are not to judge people, why should St Paul have to defend himself? Likewise, why should St Paul fear the condition he will find these people? St Paul has a good fear that people are not repentant. People have been entangled with sins and transgressions. Some of these people have been handed over to Satan so that they might repent. St Paul hopes that when he comes/returns he will find these people repentant.

Are you repentant of your sins? I cannot look into your heart to figure out how you have sinned against God in thought, word, or deed. But I do know that you are sinful and unclean. I know that you are impure in heart. “Upon this your confession” I forgive you all your sins. Christ has died for all your sins. He has cleansed you from all unrighteousness.

St Paul will mourn for the unrepentant, as the church should mourn today for all those following their sinful lifestyles. Repent and receive Forgiveness. Those who do not repent o their sins will be condemned to Hell for all eternity, they will be raised to everlasting death. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (If you are struggling with a sin, please talk to your pastor and seek counseling, and forgiveness.)