False servants
Day 616, Sunday, April 19
2 Corinthians Chapter 11
Paul’s hurt and anger are more visible in today’s reading. He insists, with heavy sarcasm, “I do not think I am in the least inferior to those ‘super-apostles.’”
Drawing in the frequent image of the church as the bride of Christ, he writes, “I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.”
Paul hints at some of the criticisms the “super-apostles” have leveled against him: that he was an untrained speaker, that he was worth little because he did not demand financial support, that he was a fool and that he was weak.
But his ministry will continue: “And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about. For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.”

-Rev. Mark Fleming

Sunday meditation
Psalms 112:1-10
Praise the Lord.
Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands.
Their children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in their houses, and their righteousness endures forever. Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous. Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.
Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes. They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor, their righteousness endures forever; their horn will be lifted high in honor.
The wicked will see and be vexed, they will gnash their teeth and waste away; the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.

Prayer focus
Grant us the discernment to recognize good and faithful teachers and to flee from those who are false.