哥林多后书 12：谦卑的爱

 
GK611晨祷生命读经
19/09/2025
主讲: 郑伟健传道


一、高处中有谦卑（林后12:1-10）

1. 软弱中彰显神的荣耀 （V1-6）
保罗讲述自己被提到第三层天的经历，却用第三人称来表达，不愿让人把焦点放在自己身上。他知道一切都是神的恩典，而不是他自己追求得来的。所以他说：「除了我的软弱以外，我并不夸口。」更重要的是，神甚至允许一根刺存在他身上，免得他自高。我们更容易说“我成功的地方”，却少分享 “我软弱时如何需要神的恩典”。但往往别人更容易因我们承认软弱而得安慰，因为他们也正在经历同样的挣扎。真正能触动人心的见证，不是“我很强”，而是“神在我软弱里托住我”。

2. 一根刺是谦卑好帮手 （V7-10）
保罗三次祷告求主挪去，但神回答说：「我的恩典够你用的，因为我的能力是在人的软弱上显得完全。」于是保罗学会了在软弱中喜乐，因为正是在自己最软弱的时候，基督的能力显得最完全。谦卑的爱，不是没有刺，而是在刺中仍然倚靠神。在生活里，那根刺可能是一个性格的弱点、一个难改的习惯、一段艰难的关系，甚至是一种病痛。我们可以选择一直埋怨，或者选择像保罗一样，把它当作提醒，天天谦卑倚靠神。

二、软弱中彰显神的荣耀 （V1-6）

保罗说他被逼得像 ‘愚妄人’ 一样自夸，其实他早已用生命证明自己的使徒身份。真正的凭据，不只是神迹奇事，而是 ‘百般忍耐’ 中显明的爱与忠心。保罗讽刺地说，自己唯一的 ‘亏欠’ 就是没有成为他们的负担，反而被误解成 ‘不够爱‘。

三、百般试炼的爱 （林后12:11-13）

1.甘心乐意的爱 （V14-15）
2.讨主喜悦的爱 （V16-18）
3.为造就人的爱 （V19）
4.操心儿女的爱 （V20-21）

保罗说自己来到哥林多，不是要他们的财物，而是要他们的生命，就像父母为儿女积财，而不是儿女为父母积财。他甘心为他们的灵魂费财费力，即使因此爱得多，却得不到同样的回应。保罗的心很清楚，他所行的不是为自己，而是为讨神的喜悦。即便被误解，他仍坚持正直。更重要的是，他一切所说所做，目的都只是为造就他们。

最后，他表达了一个属灵父亲的忧心那就是若是哥林多人继续活在纷争和罪中，他会像父亲那样忧愁。因为真正的爱，不是只在乎外表的顺利，而是担心儿女是否真的悔改、是否走在真道上。

总结：

在高处，仍保持谦卑；在试炼，仍持守忍耐；在关系里，仍愿意付出；在操心中，仍不断祷告。


    


2 Corinthians 12: Humble Love 
GK611 Morning Devotion
19/09/2025
Speaker: Ps Asher 


 I. Humility in the High Places (2 Cor 12:1-10)

1. God's Glory Revealed in Weakness (V1-6)
Paul recounts his experience of being caught up to the third heaven, yet he narrates it in the third person, unwilling to draw attention to himself. He knew that everything was God's grace, not something he had earned through his own efforts. Thus, he declared, “I will not boast except about my weaknesses.” More importantly, God even permitted a thorn to remain in his flesh to keep him from becoming conceited. We are more inclined to share “my successes” than “how I needed God's grace in my weakness.” Yet others often find greater comfort in our acknowledgment of weakness, for they too struggle with similar battles. The testimony that truly touches hearts is not “I am strong,” but “God sustains me in my weakness.”

2. A Thorn as a Helper to Humility (V7-10)
Paul prayed three times for the Lord to take the thorn away, but God replied, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Thus Paul learned to rejoice in weakness, for it is precisely in his greatest frailty that Christ's power is most fully displayed. Humble love does not mean being without thorns, but continuing to rely on God amidst them. In life, that thorn might be a character flaw, a stubborn habit, a difficult relationship, or even an illness. We can choose to complain endlessly, or like Paul, treat it as a reminder to humbly rely on God daily.

II. Love Proven Through Trials (2 Cor 12:11-13)

Paul says he was compelled to boast like a “fool,” though he had long proven his apostleship through his life. True credentials lie not merely in miracles, but in the love and faithfulness revealed through great patience. Paul sarcastically adds thathis only  ‘shortcoming’ was not being a burden to them—yet this was mistaken as “not loving enough.”

III. A Fatherly Love (2 Cor 12:14-21)

1.    Love that is willingly given (v 14-15)
2.    Love that pleases the Lord (v 16-18)
3.    Love that builds others up (v 19)
4.    Love that cares for children (v 20-21)

Paul declared that his coming to Corinth sought not their wealth but their souls—just as parents save up for their children, not the other way around. He willingly expended resources and effort for their salvation, loving them deeply even when his love went unrequited. Paul’s heart was clear: his actions served not himself but God’s pleasure. Even when misunderstood, he remained upright. More importantly, everything he said and did was solely for their edification.

Finally, he expressed the concern of a spiritual father: if the Corinthians continued living in strife and sin, he would grieve like a father. For true love does not merely care about outward success, but worries whether children have truly repented and are walking in the truth.

Conclusion:

Remain humble on the mountaintop;
Remain patient in trials;
Remain willing to give in relationships;
Remain prayerful in concern.