Paul claims, “it is a very small thing” to be judged by the Corinthians and so he dismisses their acting as judge and jury. He might be telling the truth, that he really doesn’t replay the slights of the day all through the night. Although for one claiming to be comfortable with criticism he spends a good bit of time defending his apostleship and I don’t think there is any doubt the Galatians got under his skin. Paul knows a thing or two about conflicted congregations and if not for his sense of a higher purpose and promise I imagine he would have pulled up stakes from church planting and retired to full time tent making. But he is a servant of Jesus so he does as he is directed. Moreover, he is a trustworthy steward of the mysteries of God and completely committed to the work of revealing the things hidden throughout the ages and now revealed in Christ Jesus. It is a good lesson for the church today, drawing up dividing lines, opposing one another in ways that mock the Gospel we claim to defend. We are first servants of Jesus and called to do as directed, which is to make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond peace for the sake of Christ’s body which is wounded when we judge each other less than faithful. And we are called to be trustworthy stewards of the mysteries of God revealed in the one mystery which is the Word made flesh for the sake of the world.
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