I have made a fool of myself, but you drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, for I am not in the least inferior to the "super-apostles," even though I am nothing. – 2 Corinthians 12:11

Today's Scripture Reading (May 11, 2024):  2 Corinthians 12 & 13

I considered transferring my educational program to Arizona State University in my early twenties. I find it interesting that today, their website includes this statement; "We are measured not by whom we exclude, but by whom we include and how they succeed." It is an interesting statement, especially for me, because I was one of the ones that ASU decided to exclude. The problem wasn't my marks or the courses I had taken, but that I had gone to the wrong university. I had spent the first few years of my educational pursuit in Canada and attended the University of Calgary, located in the Western Canadian province of Alberta. Alberta has a rich heritage that offers excellent educational opportunities to those who attend school there. The two largest Universities were the University of Calgary and the University of Alberta, located in the Alberta Capital of Edmonton. Both are significant universities with strengths and weaknesses, characteristics that are present when comparing any post-secondary educational institutions. When I informed ASU of my presence at the University of Calgary, I was immediately told that I could not withstand the rigors and demands of an ASU education. I would have been better suited for an ASU education if I had attended the University of Alberta. To be honest, I wrote the comment off as the reaction of someone who didn't know what they were talking about, so maybe they could be excused of their ignorance.

Most of us have received criticism at some point in our lives. Sometimes, it comes from people who don't know us, something I took from my experience with ASU. However, the criticism that has the chance to devastate us comes from places closer to home and people who should know us better.

Paul is almost embarrassed by the amount of time he has spent talking about himself in the letter, but he feels that he has to convince the Corinthians that he has something to offer. People had come to the Corinthians, telling the church of their advanced credentials in the faith and that the Corinthian Church should ignore Paul and listen to them. Paul calls this group of people "super-apostles." Paul feels this group of super-apostles has forced him to stress his personal credentials.

The problem in Paul's mind is two-fold. First, it has forced him to defend himself against the criticisms of those who don't know him. Even though Paul believed he was nothing, he had to assert that he was at least the equal of these super-apostles. But secondly, the Corinthians did know him. They should have been among the first to defend him, but instead, they have chosen to stand with the super-apostles. Paul would have defended the Corinthians; was it too much to expect them to defend him? Evidently, the answer is yes, although it is an answer that does not please Paul.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Acts 21