From 2 Corinthians 1-4
Paul made a decision not to come to the Corinthians because he had their well bring in mind. His coming may have hindered their repentance and development after some painful dealings.
In doing so he Paul himself in a place where he could be maligned by those who wanted to undermine him and his ministry.
He was willing to suffer for the well-being of others.
This post is part of my bible in a year series.
Passage and Comments
Paul has some painful history with the Corinthian church. Just read his first letter to them. Factions, sexual immorality, eating foods given to idols and problems with spiritual gifts. At some point Paul has made a ‘painful visit’ to them laying down some discipline (2 Cor 2.1). Paul is in the process of mending the hurt. Drawing them back together.
In our passage today, Paul is exposing his heart and assuring the Corinthians he has been transparent in his dealings with them.
12 For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you.
13 For we are not writing to you anything other than what you read and understand and I hope you will fully understand—
14 just as you did partially understand us—that on the day of our Lord Jesus you will boast of us as we will boast of you. (2 Cor 1.12-14)
‘Simplicity’, ‘sincerity’. Paul assures the Corinthians his gospel ministry is marked by simplicity and sincerity. It’s not complicated, rather easy to understand. It’s not dishonest, seeking personal gain. He is sincere – Jesus rose from the dead.
Would you describe your evangelism in similar ways? God uses simple open handed strategies.
‘Writing to you’. In the same line of thought Paul assures the Corinthians he is writing to them with the same characteristics. He has nothing to hide. He is being transparent.
15 Because I was sure of this, I wanted to come to you first, so that you might have a second experience of grace. 16 I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia, and to come back to you from Macedonia and have you send me on my way to Judea.
17 Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans according to the flesh, ready to say “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time? (2 Cor 1.15-17)
‘I wanted to come’. Paul declares his sincere intentions in coming to them, remembering their first dealings with one another when they first heard the gospel. He repeats the expression several times revealing his heart.
Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this?
But he says all this in the context that he hasn’t come again. This gives the impression he promises one thing and does another. Perhaps the Corinthians think he is not as simple and sincere as he lets on.
If we take it this far, the Corinthians might question Paul’s gospel and specifically God’s faithfulness to his promises.
18 As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been Yes and No. 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes. 20 For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. (2 Cor 1.18-20)
‘Our word to you’. Paul has said many things to them. This includes his gospel proclamation and his promises he will come again to see them.
‘Yes and No’. The Corinthians seem to think Paul is indecisive. He alternates between ‘yes I will come’ and ‘no I wont’. Can his promises be trusted? Paul believes this has implications for how the Corinthians view God’s promises in Christ.
Paul wont let his perceived indecisiveness diminish the certainty of God’s promises in Christ proclaimed in his gospel.
‘Yes in him’. Paul says all God’s promises are fulfilled in Jesus. Yes Jesus is the Christ. Yes Jesus died for our sins. Yes Jesus rose from the dead. Yes Jesus will come again to judge and save.
21 And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, 22 and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
23 But I call God to witness against me—it was to spare you that I refrained from coming again to Corinth.
24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith. (2 Cor 1.21-24)
‘It is God’. Paul lists a series of things God has done in and for them. He has established them in Christ. He has secured their place, status, identity and role in Christ. God has anointed them with the Spirit, which among other wonderful things guarantees their adoption, citizenship and inheritance.
‘It was to spare you’. Paul explains why he didn’t come, after he initially promised he would. He wanted to spare them and himself further pain from the conflict they had shared. He wants to give them time to renew their affection for him.
Words for Believers
Paul made a decision not to come to the Corinthians because he had their well-being in mind. His coming may have hindered their repentance and development after some painful dealings.
In doing so he Paul himself in a place where he could be maligned by those who wanted to undermine him and his ministry.
He was willing to suffer for the well-being of others.
Today Paul sets a good example of what it looks like to consider others before ourselves. Even though our reputation may suffer as a result.
That being said Paul also shows that we cannot allow our actions to dirty what people think of God and his dealings through Jesus Christ.
Copyright © Joshua Washington and thescripturesays, 2016. All Rights Reserved.
