The Only Recommendation That Matters

It should come as no surprise that those whom Paul describes as “Peddlers of God’s Word” would be involved in a fair amount of shameless self-promotion.  The power-leaders had come to Corinth armed to the hilt with impressive “letters of recommendation”.  Those letters were the ancient equivalent of being listed in Who’s Who, a way of distinguishing those people of notable or prominent standing.  They were a sure ticket into the circles of the influential and cultural elites.  And in flashing their fancy credentials, they were taking a back door shot at Paul’s lack of any such notoriety.  At one time Paul himself had belonged to those very same circles, but any access or letters of standing had suddenly dried up the day he met the risen Christ on the Damascus road.  As we’ll see this Sunday in 2 Corinthians 3:1-6, Paul takes sharp aim at this core aspect of their ministry, and instead identifies “The Only Recommendation that Matters”.

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