⁷Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear unapproved. ⁸For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth. ⁹For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak but you are strong; this we also pray for, that you be made complete.

Every teacher of the Word, every pastor-shepherd of the church, must wrestle with his motivation. It reflects well on him if the people he teaches or leads do well in their Christian walk. In short, their obedience makes him look good. Paul was aware of this tendency and addresses it as he brings his final words to the Corinthians. He does in fact passionately desire that they would walk in the truth and do good. His two letters to them drip with corrective teaching. But he disavows a selfish motive.

Today, of course, we believe Paul is a great teacher, for after all, the Lord used him to pen thirteen books of the Bible, which no less than the apostle Peter vouched for as being inspired on the same level as the OT Scriptures (2 Peter 3:15–16). People who had such exposure to the teaching of the eminent teacher and preacher of the truth still struggled in their spiritual walk; this should encourage those who teach and preach the Word of God today. While it is true that many Christians suffer at the hand of poor teaching, it is also true that the greatest teaching does not guarantee obedience. There are two factors involved: the teaching and the response. Paul knew he could take no credit for their obedience, nor could he beat himself up for their disobedience. His goal was to preach the truth and encourage his listeners to obey the truth. The old saying is true: you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.

Paul, though, reiterates what he had said before, that he rejoiced in his weakness, which we take here to mean the debasement and the indignity of being treated as a criminal, even the dregs of the world (1 Cor. 4:13), if that is what it takes to help the Corinthian believers grow strong in their spiritual walk. In this regard, his desire comes completely to the surface. Their being “made complete” is the goal, not his own reputation.

Are we not, together with the Corinthians, being admonished to go to this nth degree of obedience in serving the Lord and His people with no thought of our own benefit or reputation? This is what Paul wrote extensively about in his letter to the Philippians (Phil 2:1–11), to be emptied of one’s self and desire, joyfully accepting suffering for the benefit of another’s walking the truth. Is this not what Paul means when he prays, “that you be made complete”?

Lord, I confess that the prospects of such sacrifice as Paul made is daunting, but with Your help I will seek how I might help others no matter the cost.