The WT first applies this second part of 2 Cor.12:14 to children arranging to give “practical help” to their parent as they grow old. They say, “Parents may need to receive some practical help as they grow old, and many children are happy to arrange for that.” Then they say that Christian parents’ greatest joy is not from the viewpoint of raising children for later financial support, but helping their children become servants of WT’s God, Jehovah. But then they go back to physical application of scripture by directing parents to be an example, trust in Jehovah as they help their children prepare to support themselves and from the time their children are young, show them the value of hard work. They then throw in, as “they” [the children] grow, help them do their best in school. This is spiritual food? Something is seriously amiss if people who are seeking spiritual understanding of scripture are being fed parenting 101 tips. Is the Bible a book about giving human parents advice on helping their children to do their best in school and prepare them for adulthood so as to support themselves? Of course, the WT’s closing statement in their 5/23/26 “examining the scriptures” commentary on scripture is: Christian parents do well to research and apply Bible principles to help their children decide how to use education wisely. This will equip their children to support themselves and to have a full share in the Christian ministry.
Here is the examined scripture, but the whole verse: 2 Cor.12:14, “Now for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.” [NKJV]
The Corinth “church” is an assembled group of Christians (2 Cor.2:1-2; 12:13-14; Col.1:24-29; Heb.2:10-13). Paul was an apostle of the Gentiles, sent by Jesus Christ himself (Acts 13:42-47; 26:12-13; John 8:12; Acts 26:14-18; 22:17-21; Rom.9:6-7; 2:28-29). The Spirit-anointed Gentiles were not of Jewish physical lineage, but were spiritual Jews, part of the body of Christ, spiritual priests, each a “living stone” in the spiritual temple, God’s dwelling place of Spirit (Acts 26:1,12-18; 22:18,21; 13:44-47; Rom.9:6; 2:28-29; Eph.1:1-14; Gal.4:6-7; Rom.8:14-17; 1 Cor.12:11-14; Eph.2:20; 1 Pet.2:5; Eph.2:21-22; 1 Cor.3:16; 1 Pet.2:9-10,4-5; Mal.2:7; Rev.5:10; Psalm 74:2; Rev.21:9-11). To these Paul was sent (along with those who accompanied him) into ministry preaching, warning, and teaching in all wisdom from God so as to present “every man perfect in Christ Jesus” (Col.1:26-29; John 10:16; Ezek.34:31; Psalm 100:3; 1 Pet.2:9-10,5).
The letters Paul sent to the Corinth congregation helps us to understand the spiritual condition of that congregation of brethren. In 1 Cor.2, Paul explained to the Corinths that what he was speaking to them was not of his own human wisdom (1 Cor.2:1,4-7), but what the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual things (1 Cor.2:10,12-13). Paul said to them that the “things of God,” God reveals through His Holy Spirit (1 Cor.2:7,10,12), “But the natural man (carnal/thinking related to physical life only) does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Cor.2:14).
Yet there was a problem with the Corinth congregation. Notice 1 Cor.3:1, “Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3 You are still worldly (carnal). For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? 4 For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?”
The Corinth brethren were acting like carnal men, babes in Christ, being envious of one another (1 Cor.3:3; Rom.12:3-5; 1 Cor.12:4-6,11-12,18,27) and quarreling, not keeping the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace (1 Cor.3:3; Eph.4:3-4; 1 Cor.12:4; Titus 3:8; Col.1:10; Titus 3:9-10; James 3:16-17). They were even divided, some claiming to be of Paul or Apollos, as if Paul or Apollos as men were to be boasted over for their wisdom (1 Cor.3:1; 1 Cor.1:10-13,26-31; 3:1,18-23; Rom.16:17-18). Paul stressed that he and Apollos were not “anything” themselves, that what they received was from the Lord and that they were ministers through whom they believed but it is God who “gave the increase” (1 Cor.3:5). Paul poses a question to them, as if to shake them to remember who they are, and the consequences of not respecting God’s spiritual household arrangement, “16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and *that* the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If anyone defiles/corrupts/destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which *temple* you are (1 Cor.3; Ezek.43:10-12; 44:4-9).
The Corinth’s carnality was dangerous (1 Cor.3:3; James 3:16). If they did not take heed that Paul and Apollos’ wisdom in laying the foundational teachings of Christ was not of human wisdom, but by God through Holy Spirit, they would not take be careful how they then built upon the foundation laid (1 Cor.3:9-17; John 4:23-24; Matt.15:7-9; 1 John 2:20,24-27). Indeed, the Corinth church was not yet complete/mature, yet Paul extended his love, comfort, encouragement, completely spending/exerting himself on their behalf, even sending Titus and Timothy to them (1 Cor.3:1-3; 4:16-17; 2 Cor.4:5; 1 Cor.16:13; 2 Cor.12:14-15; 2 Cor.13:11; Col.1:24-28). Paul was fervent in presenting them a “pure virgin in Christ” (2 Cor.11:2-4; 13:5; 1 Cor.14:20; 2:13-14; 3:9-17). They are Christ’s and must submit to him as they can do nothing without Jesus who gives them Spirit to produce good works/good fruit/truthful teachings that last (Luke 6:43-49; 8:10-15; John 6:63; 4:24; 14:6; 15:1-10; 1 Cor.3:23; Col.1:9-18).
Let’s look again at 2 Cor.12:14, Now *for* the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.” [NKJV]
Paul said he will not be burdensome to the Corinth “church,” and so Paul is indicating when he arrives to them a third time, he will be weightless, not demanding (2 Cor.12:14). Paul said, “for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up [treasure up] for the parents, but the parents for the children” (2 Cor.12:14). Paul was not seeking/inquiring the children of the Corinth church, but “you,” the assembled brethren, who are the parents. Is Paul talking about practical advice to human parents and their children? No. The Corinth church, Spirit-anointed body members of Christ, are spiritual parents because they are the “church,” Christ’s “wife”/bride (Eph.5:25-27,30,32; Rev.21:9-11). Paul is talking about spiritual parents who lay up/store up spiritual treasures from “heaven” within their heart (1 Pet.2:9; 2 Cor.4:5-7; 1 Cor.4:20; Col.1:29; Rom.1:16; Hab.2:14; Isa.40:5; 2 Cor.4:18; Luke 12:15; Luke 17:20-21; Matt.6:21). The children of spiritual parents do not do that. Why? Because the children are not the bride. The bride of Christ is the holy city, New Jerusalem who are representatives of a mother covenant of life whose good fruit is produced from Jesus’ words of Spirit, the teachings/knowledge of Holy Spirit that gives life to children (Gal.4:26-28; Eph.5:25-27,30,32; Rev.21:9-11,2-3; 22:1-2). Christ and his wife/bride is a union better than human parents, because as spiritual parents’, the life their union gives their children is eternal (John 6:63; Job 33:4; Rom.8:14-19; John 15:16; 1 Cor.2:12; James 3:17; 1 Cor.2:13-14; John 3:3; 1 Pet.1:23; Prov.18:21; 11:30; Rev.21:2-6; John 4:14; Rev.22:17,1-2; Rom.8:20-21).
CONSIDER:
WT writes: “know that Jehovah does not necessarily give anointed ones more holy spirit than he gives his other servants. They do not feel that they have a deeper understanding of Bible truths than anyone else [w20 January Study, p.28, para.5\].
This is FALSE
The August 1, 2002 Watchtower (page 13, para.18) flatly states that the royal priesthood are represented by appointed elders in their congregations.
This is FALSE and a disgusting thing
WT writes: “know that Jehovah does not necessarily give anointed ones more holy spirit than he gives his other servants. They do not feel that they have a deeper understanding of Bible truths than anyone else [w20 January Study, p.28, para.5\].
This is FALSE
The August 1, 2002 Watchtower (page 13, para.18) flatly states that the royal priesthood are represented by appointed elders in their congregations.
This is FALSE and a disgusting thing
Please consider this scriptural writing from my anointed partner:
https://pearl-disgustingthing.blogspot.com
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