It is hard to exercise authority in the church (2 Corinthians 11:28) or the home. Pastors, elders and deacons (and parents, who are pastors in their own homes) should be comforted that even the Apostle Paul had to work hard to ensure that he spoke and wrote only with the authority of Christ.

Envy is different to jealousy. Envy is like covetousness, desiring something belonging to someone else: it has a grabbing motivation. Jealousy is the fear of losing someone: it has a guarding motivation. So a husband or wife will be jealous to guard their marriage and parents will be jealous to guard their children.

This title has two true meanings. The gospel is the only way to know how to be forgiven, and the gospel is not a chargeable product. It has been given freely, although at great cost to Jesus, and is to be passed on freely. The Corinthian church had been told by false teachers that Paul's gospel was worthless because he did not charge a fee for teaching it, and he paid for everything he needed. Surely, they would have argued, if the gospel was so wonderful it would have a big price tag, and Paul's wealth would have proved that the gospel was the unique Word from God.

In contrast to the super-apostles who had invaded the Corinthian church with their sophistry and eloquent oratory, Paul seems rather bland.  Some thought he was a fool (the word here means ‘ignorant’).  He did not boast of his spiritual prowess; instead he spoke the truth in love to save the lost and build up the church (Ephesians 4:14-16).  Paul did not advertise himself but Jesus Christ as Lord (2 Corinthians 4:5).  Meanwhile, the church was being mesmerised by egoists puffing themselves up - and dragging the church under their hollow spell (1 Corinthians 4:19).