If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.
The verse belongs to Paul's recounting of his own experience in chapter 11, which is to be studied until it is made to talk and to speak plainly and decisively. From that recounting comes the lesson that the worker for God must not on any account enter into controversies. It likewise teaches that the worker needs to obtain a deeper experience. It further teaches that the worker must not seek to be original, lest odd notions result.
It also teaches that the work must be carried forward in a dignified, elevated, and ennobling manner. Those who view matters with merely human sight make very grave mistakes when they take up a work God has not appointed but has condemned, the work of criticizing others and climbing upon the judgment seat to pronounce sentence. For one's own spiritual advancement it is far better to look well to one's own shortcomings and defects of character by watchful examination of one's own heart. And what must be removed from oneself is the beam of faultfinding, evil surmising, evil speaking, bearing false witness, hatred, and accusing of fellow believers.
The verse belongs to Paul's recounting of his own experience in chapter 11, which is to be studied until it is made to talk and to speak plainly and decisively. From that recounting comes the lesson that the worker for God must not on any account enter into controversies. It likewise teaches that the worker needs to obtain a deeper experience. It further teaches that the worker must not seek to be original, lest odd notions result.
It also teaches that the work must be carried forward in a dignified, elevated, and ennobling manner. Those who view matters with merely human sight make very grave mistakes when they take up a work God has not appointed but has condemned, the work of criticizing others and climbing upon the judgment seat to pronounce sentence. For one's own spiritual advancement it is far better to look well to one's own shortcomings and defects of character by watchful examination of one's own heart. And what must be removed from oneself is the beam of faultfinding, evil surmising, evil speaking, bearing false witness, hatred, and accusing of fellow believers.